Notes on species of the lichen genus canoparmelia elix & hale in South Korea.

Detailed descriptions of five species of the lichen genus Canoparmelia Elix & Hale. are presented. Until now, three species of the genus Canoparmelia, including C. apata (Krempelh.) Elix & Hale, C. owariensis (Asah.) Elix, and C. texana (Tuck.) Elix & Hale have been reported in South Korea. Canoparmelia carneopruinata (Zahlbr.) Elix & Hale, C. crozalsiana (de Lesd.) Elix & Hale, and C. ecaperata (Müll. Arg.) Elix & Hale are new to the South Korean lichen flora. An artificial key is provided for all species of Canoparmelia, including the three new records.

Introduction

The lichen genus Canoparmelia was formerly included in Pseudoparmelia Lynge [1]. Since Pseudoparmelia is a heterogeneous group of species [1, 2], as shown by Elix et al. [3], it is divided into four different genera on the basis of morphological, distributional, ecological, cortical, and chemical characteristics.

According to the published literature [4], the genus Canoparmelia has the following characteristics. Thallus foliose, closely adnate, 3~12 cm across, eciliate or sparsely ciliate on lobes axils, apices subrotund to rotund, rarely truncate. Upper surface mineral grey to grey green (atranorin and chloroatranorin) or rarely yellow green (usnic acid), emaculate, without pseudocyphellae, with or without maculae, isidia, soredia, or pustules; upper cortex palisade plectenchymatous with pored epicortex. Cell wall containing isolichenan; photobiont green. Medulla loosely packed, white or partly yellow. Lower surface black or pale brown, with concolors rhizines; lobes margins with narrow, pale, erhizinate, or papillate zone. Rhizines simple, tufted or not. Apothecia laminal, sessile or substipitate; disc entire. Asci 8-spored. Spores ellipsoid, 7~20 × 4~9 µm. Pycnidia laminal, rarely marginal, punctiform, immersed or rarely emergent; ostiole jet-black. Conidia bifusiform, rarely cylindrical, fusiform, or filiform.

There are about 55 species of the genus Canoparmelia identified worldwide [5]. Monograph on the genus Canoparmelia has been published by a few scientists [3, 6-8]. Three species, C. aptata (Krempelh.) Elix & Hale, C. owariensis (Asah.) Elix, and C. texana (Tuck.) Elix & Hale of this genus are included in the Korean Lichen checklist [9]. Except for these, no taxonomic study on this genus has been carried out in South Korea. In this study, we were able to identify and describe three additional species, C. carneopruinata (Zahlbr.) Elix & Hale, C. crozalsiana (de Lesd.) Elix & Hale, and C. ecaperata (Müll. Arg.) Elix & Hale (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Canoparmelia species. A, C. aptata (Y. Joshi, H. S. Jeon & M. H. Jeong, 100165); B, C. carneopruinata (J. S. Hur, 030703); C, C. crozalsiana (J. S. Hur, 070403); D, C. ecaperata (J. S. Hur, 070623); E, C. texana (J. S. Hur & M. H. Jeong, GW1032); F, Isidia (arrowhead) on the thallus of C. ecaperata (scale bars = 3 mm).

Materials and Methods

The study was based on specimens deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI). Lichen samples were identified using stereo and light microscopes; a dissecting microscope (Nikon SMZ645; Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) was used to identify morphological characteristics of the thallus and reproductive structures, as well as color, size, and shape, whereas a compound microscope (Zeiss Scope.A1; Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Deutshland, Germany) was used to study the anatomy of thalli and fruiting bodies. Spot test reactions were carried out on thalli under the compound microscope. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed in solvent system C (toluene : acetic acid = 85 : 15) [10]. Voucher specimens were deposited in the herbarium of the Lichen & Allied Bio-resource Center at the KoLRI, Sunchon National University, South Korea.

Results and Discussion

Key to the all known species of Canoparmelia in South Korea

1. Thallus isidiate or pustulate isidiate ... 2

1a. Thallus lacking isidia, sorediate, or pustulate sorediate ... 3

2. Thallus pustulate isidiate, divaricatic acid present, lower medulla occasionally yellow in patches ... C. owariensis

2a. Thallus greenish yellow, isidia cylindrical to coralloid, not pustulate, divaricatic acid and usnic acid present ...

3. Medulla P+ yellow to orange, stictic acid present ... 4

3a. Medulla P-, stictic acid absent ... 5

4. Lobes sublinear, lobes surface wrinkled and cracked, medulla white, yellow under soralia, soralia yellowish orange ...

4a. Lobes irregular, soralia white, not yellow under soralia ...

5. Medulla KC+ rose, perlatolic acid present ... C. aptata

5a. Medulla KC-, divaricatic acid present ... C. texana

Taxonomic description of the species.

(Krempelh.) Elix & Hale, Mycotaxon 27: 278 (1986).

Parmelia aptata Krempelh. In Nyl., Flora 52: 291 (1869).

Pseudoparmelia aptata (Krempelh.) Hale, Phytologia 29: 189 (1974).

Thallus foliose, closely adnate to the substratum. Thallus 3~7 cm broad, whitish grey, lobes 2~3 mm wide. Rough, eciliate. Soralia marginal to laminal, granular, abundant. Medulla white, lower surface black with brown marginal zone. Rhizines black, simple, short, sparse. Apothecia not seen.

Chemistry

Cortex K+ yellow; medulla K-, C-, KC+ rose, P-; TLC: chloroatranorin (Fig. 2a), atranorin (Fig. 2c), and perlatolic acid (Fig. 2b).

Fig. 2

Thin layer chromatography profile of Canoparmelia species in solvent system C. 1, C. aptata; 2, C. carneopruinata; 3, C. crozalsiana; 4, control 1 [Lethariella cladonioides (Nyl.) Krog], f-norstictic acid; 5, C. ecaperata; 6, C. texana; 7, control 2, Parmelinopsis minarum (Vain.) Elix & Hale, j-gyrophoric acid.

Remarks

C. aptata is characterized by closely adnate, sorediate thalli with perlatolic acid in medulla. It is closely related to C. texana in external morphology, but the latter species has divaricatic acid. However, C. aptata shows variation in lobe configuration and thallus width due to its habitat and climatic conditions [8].

Specimens examined

Gyeongnam Prov., Geoje City, Geoje Island, seaside, on rock, 34°53'43.8" N, 128°44'05.7" E, alt. 10m, X. Y. Wang and J. A. Ryu, 110111, 21 Apr 2011. On rock, 34°51'42.2" N, 128°44'04.1" E, alt. c.1 m, X. Y. Wang and J. A. Ryu, 110102, 21 Apr 2011. Near Tongri Beach, Bogil Island, Bogil-myeon, Jeollanam-do, on rock, 34°09'64.0" N, 126°35'11.5" E, alt. 15 m, Y. Joshi, H. S. Jeon, M. H. Jeong, 100164, 6 Feb 2010. On rock, 34°09'64.0" N, 126°35'11.5" E, alt. 15 m, Y. Joshi, H. S. Jeon, M. H. Jeong-100165, 6 Feb 2010. Hoam, Jukrim-ri, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, on bark of Celtis species, 34°57'73.8" N, 127°39'22.8" E, alt. 92 m, J. S. Hur, M. H. Jeong, GW1008, 16 Jan 2010. Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, On bark of Pinus species, 34°59'8.25" N, 127°48'1.20" E, alt. 42 m, J. S. Hur, M. H. Jeong, GW1056, 25 Jan 2010 (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Distribution of Canoparmelia species in South Korea. ▲, C. aptata; □, C. carneopruinata; ×, C. crozalsiana; ●, C. ecaperata; ★, C. texana.

Geographical distribution

Africa, Indonesia, Australia [1], Japan [11], Philippines [12], India [8].

(Zahlbr.) Elix & Hale, Mycotaxon 27: 278 (1986).

Parmelia carneopruinata Zahlbr., Sitzungs. Kaiser. Akad. Wissen., Math Natur. Klasse 1: 419 (1902).

Pseudoparmelia carneopruinata (Zahlbr.) Hale, Phytologia 29: 189 (1974).

Thallus closely adnate to the substrate, 2~3 cm across. Lobes irregular to sublinear, 1~3 mm wide, eciliate, epices rotund. Upper surface grey to mineral grey, ridges wrinkled, cracked in central part, fragile pruinose, sorediate. Sorelia laminal, developing along the margins of cracks, dense, yellowish orange, coarse, granular. Medulla white, yellow to yellowish orange below soralia. Lower surface black with erhizinate, shiny marginal zone. Rhizines simple, black, short. Apothecia and pycnidia not seen.

Cortex K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow; medulla K+ yellow-red, C-, KC-, P+ orange; TLC: chloroatranorin, atranorin, stictic acid (Fig. 2d), constictic acid (Fig. 2e), and unknown compounds 1~2.

C. carneopruinata is closely related to C. crozalsiana in the presence of laminal soralia as well as stictic acid and constictic acid in the medulla, but it differs in having a wrinkled, cracked surface as well as reticulate ridges and granular soredia.

Mount Sobaek, on bark, 36°57'24.7" N, 128°26'27.8" E, alt. 546 m, Hur, 030703, 1 Oct 2003 (Fig. 3).

India [8], Central America, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, South Europe, Uruguay, Venezuela and West Indies [1], Southern Sonoran [13].

(de Lesd.) Elix & Hale, Mycotaxon 27: 278 (1986)

Parmelia crozalsiana de Lesd. Ex Harm. In Harm., Lich. Fr. 4: 555 (1910).

Pseudoparmelia crozalsiana (de Lesd. Ex Harm.) Hale, Phytologia 29: 189 (1974).

Thallus adnate to the substrate, 2~4 cm across, irregularly lobate. Lobes imbricate, irregular, epical subrotund, 3~5 mm wide. Upper surface grey to dark grey, slightly rugose, ridges, emaculate, epruinose, cracked in older parts. Isidia absent. Sorediate. Soredia produced along ridges, capitate, granular to farinose. Medulla white, 80~100 µm thick. Lower surface black with brown marginal zone, 0.5~1 mm wide. Rhizines simple, short, black. Apothecia not seen.

Cortex K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ pale yellow; medulla K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ orange; TLC: chloroatranorin, atranorin, stictic acid (Fig. 2d), constictic acid (Fig. 2e), and unknown compounds 1~3.

New to South Korea. This species is characterized by capitate soralia, a ridged and rugose upper surface, and stictic acid in the medulla. According to Elix [7], this species is closely related to C. norsticticata, which contains norstictic acid and has narrow lobes. C. carneopruinata is another closely related species due to the presence of stictic acid. However, C. carneopruinata differs from C. crozalsiana in having strongly reticulated ridges on its upper surface [8].

Mount Sobaek, on bark, 30°53'22.5" N, 128°25'56.8" E, alt. 875 m, Hur, 070403, 10 Jun 2007 (Fig. 3).

India [8], Australia [7], Brazil, Paraguay [1], SE and E Arizona [13].

(Müll. Arg.) Elix & Hale, Mycotaxon 27: 278 (1986).

Parmelia ecaperata Müll. Arg., Flora 74: 378 (1891).

Pseudoparmelia ecaperata ((Müll. Arg.) Hale, Phytologia 29: 190 (1974).

Thallus closely adnate to the substrate, 3~4 cm across. Lobes somewhat sublinear, 1~3 mm wide. Margins ecilliate, epics truncate. Upper surface yellow grey, plane, emaculate. Thallus has no soredia. Isidia presentIsidialaminal, marginal at older lobes, dense, cylindrical, simple to coralloid branched, dark brown tipped, up to 1 mm long (Fig. 1F). Lower surface black, with 1~2 mm wide, brown, erhizinate margin. Rhizines black, simple to squarrosely branched. Apothecia not seen.

Thallus K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P-; medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-; TLC: chloroatranorin, usnic acid (Fig. 2g), divaricatic acid (trace) (Fig. 2i) and unknown compounds 1~2.

New to South Korea. This species is characterized by densely isidiate thallus and the presence of usnic acid and divaricatic acid. C. concrescens is closely related to this species but differs in having atranorin in the cortex [8].

On rock with Melanelia stygia, 37°05'30.3" N, 128°56'33.0" E, alt. 1,521 m, Hur, 070623, 18 Jun 2007 (Fig. 3).

India [8], Africa, Nepal, Thailand [1].

(Tuck.) Elix & Hale, Mycotaxon 27: 279 (1986).

Parmelia texana Tuck., Am. J. Arts Sci. Ser. 2 25: 424 (1858).

Pseudoparmelia texana (Tuck.) hale, Phytologia 28: 191 (1974).

Thallus foliose, closely adnate to the substratum except apices, 5~8 cm across. Lobes sublinear, 2~3 mm wide, ecilliate. Upper surface mineral grey, smooth, emaculate, without isidia. Soredia granular, laminal to marginal. Medulla white. Lower surface black with narrow, erhizinate margin. Rhizine sparse, short and simple. Apothecia not seen.

Cortex K+ yellow; medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-; TLC: chloroatranorin, atranorin, divaricatic acid (Fig. 2i), nordivaricatic acid, stenosporic acid (Fig. 2h), and unknown compounds 1~3.

C. texana is closely related to C. aptata in external morphology but differs in having divaricatic acid in the medulla.

Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, on bark (Pinus sp.), 34°56'37.3" N, 127°44'6.93" E, alt. 18 m, J. S. Hur, M. H. Jeong, GW1022, 16 Jan 2010. Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, on bark (Pinus sp.), 34°58'16.4" N, 127°44'15.7" E, alt. 33 m, J. S. Hur, M. H. Jeong, GW1032, 16 Jan 2010. Cheneun temple, Mt. Jiri, J. S. Hur, 30033, 22 May 2003 (Fig. 3).

Ecology and distribution

Azores [14], Bolivia [15], India [8], United States, South America, Africa, Madagascar, Thailand, Java, Sumatra, Indonesia, Japan, Australia [1], Taiwan [16].

Previously reported species in the literature.

(Asah.) Elix, Mycotaxon 47: 127 (1993).

Parmelia owariensis Asah., J. Jpn. Bot. 28: 135 (1953).

Pseudoparmelia owariensis (Asah.) Hale, Phytologia 29: 190 (1974).

Paraparmelia owariensis (Asah.) Elix & J. Johnst., Mycotaxon 27: 280 (1986).

This specimen was not available for the present study. Previously, Park [17] reported C. owariensis as the most important species on Cherry trees in South Korea. However, there was no taxonomical description of the species in his paper, and thus we could not trace back his identification. According to the literature, this species has the following characteristics [18].

Thallus foliose, tightly attached to the substrate, 2~5 cm across. Lobes sublinear to irregular, 0.5~3 mm wide, apices truncate. Upper surface whitish grey, smooth, becoming rugulose, pustulate isidiate. Isidia coarse and short, rarely bursting open apically, becoming coarsely sorediate. Medulla white. Lower surface black, brown at margins, rhizinate. Rhizines sparse, black and simple. Apothecia sessile, 1~2 mm wide, disc concave, brown, thalline exciple pustulate. Ascospores 7~9 × 4~5 µm. Pycnidia rare.

Cortex K+ yellow; medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-; TLC: chloroatranorin, atranorin, divaricatic acid, and nordivaricatic acid.

According to the description, C. owariensis is characterized based on its habitat, pustulate isidiate upper surface, and the presence of divaricatic acid in the medulla. This species is very closely related with C. ecaperata. However, C. ecaperata has no pustules on the upper surface, and usnic acid is present in the medulla.

Africa, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Australia [7], India [19].