The lichen genera Gondwania and Transdrakea gen. nov. (Teloschistaceae) – speciation in three southern continents
- Author:
- Søchting U., Sancho L.G. & Arup U.
- Year:
- 2023
- Journal:
- Plant and Fungal Systematics
- Pages:
- 68(2): 304–319
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.35535/pfsyst-2023-0015
Within the lichen family Teloschistaceae, a high number of genera are restricted
to the extreme southern part of the Southern Hemisphere. The taxonomy and phylogeny
of the southern genus Gondwania have been analyzed based upon fieldwork in Antarctica,
Patagonia, New Zealand and Tasmania and subsequent studies including molecular methods.
Five species are accepted in the genus Gondwanea including G. inclinans and G. joannae
that are combined into the genus. Two species are included in the neighboring new genus
Transdrakea, T. alacalufes, a saxicolous species from Patagonia, which is described as new
to science and T. schofieldii. Based on molecular data, Austroplaca imperialis is described
as a new species to accommodate Patagonian specimens previously named G. regalis. Even
though morphologically very similar, the two species are distinct based on molecular and
chemical characters and distribution. Gondwania and Transdrakea are chemically homogenous
with parietin as the very dominant compound; Transdrakea has a very reduced thallus,
whereas Gondwania includes species with crustose thalli, as well as species with fruticulose
growth habits. G. inclinans and G. cribrosa are only known from Australia/New Zealand.
G. regalis, G. joannae and T. schofieldii are only known from Antarctica. G. sublobulata
is confirmed from Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, but Antarctic specimens previously
named G. sublobulata belong to G. joannae. G. sejongensis is shown to be a synonym to
G. joannae. A key to Gondwania and Transdrakea species is presented.
Key words: Antarctica, Austroplaca, Caloplaca, Falkland Islands, Gondwana, molecular
taxonomy, Patagonia, South America.
- Id:
- 36062
- Submitter:
- zpalice
- Post_time:
- Saturday, 30 December 2023 14:51