The new species Gymnographopsis aptrootiana is described from tree bark in rain forests of Costa Rica and Guyana. It is placed in Gymnographopsis based on the combination of a partially ecorticate thallus, lirellate ascomata with partly exposed disc, and small, non-amyloid (I–), septate ascospores. Overall, it is most similar to G. koreaiensis, but differs in the 1-septate ascospores and the formation of disc-shaped schizidia, as well as its unusual chemistry with three unidentified compounds. We provide a modern overview of the genus Gymnographopsis, a key to the five currently accepted species, and a discussion of its position in Graphidaceae s.lat. We dedicate this work to our long-standing colleague, friend, and collaborator in the TICOLICHEN project, André Aptroot, for his invaluable contributions to tropical lichenology, on the occasion of his 65th birthday. Key words: Heiomasia, Redonographa, Redonographoideae, Stegobolus, TLC.