Phyllocraterina is a small genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Strigulaceae.[2] It comprises two species of leaf-dwelling (foliicolous) lichens.[3]
| Phyllocraterina | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Dothideomycetes |
| Order: | Strigulales |
| Family: | Strigulaceae |
| Genus: | Phyllocraterina Sérus. & Aptroot (2020) |
| Species | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Taxonomy
editThe genus was first proposed as Phyllocratera by the lichenologists Emmanuël Sérusiaux and André Aptroot in 1997.[4] This name, however, was later deemed illegitimate under Article 53.1 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, due to prior use in botany. A similar name, Phyllocrater Wernham, had been established in 1914 for a genus in the family Rubiaceae.[5] The Nomenclature Committee for Fungi determined that the similarity between Phyllocratera and Phyllocrater constituted a case of parahomonymy, leading to its invalidation.[6] As a result, Sérusiaux and Aptroot established Phyllocraterina as a replacement name, publishing it alongside the type species Phyllocraterina papuana. While the genus currently includes two species, molecular data are not yet available for either.[6]
Description
editPhyllocraterina species are tropical lichens that grow on the surfaces of leaves in lowland to montane regions. Their thalli (lichen bodies) are thin, grey-green, and slightly crust-like, forming a close bond with their green algae partner, Phycopeltis. The reproductive structures (the perithecia) are black and wart-like, with a broad base and a small pore at the top for spore release. These structures have tough, carbon-rich walls and a protective outer layer.[6]
Inside the perithecia, there are slender, unbranched filaments (paraphyses) that are clear and measure about 1.5–2 micrometres wide. The spore-producing cells (asci) contain eight spores each. These asci are structured in a way that allows them to split open for spore release. The spores themselves are transparent, have multiple internal walls, and are shaped like elongated ellipses with a slight pinch at the middle. So far, no form of asexual reproduction has been observed, and no chemical compounds (lichen products) unique to these lichens have been detected.[6]
Species
edit- Phyllocratera nuda (Zahlbr.) Lücking & Sérus. (2013)
- Phyllocratera papuana Sérus. & Aptroot (1997)
References
edit- ^ "Synonymy. Current Name: Phyllocraterina Sérus. & Aptroot, in Hongsanan et al., Fungal Diversity: 10.1007/s13225-020-00462-6, [133] (2020)". Species Fungorum. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ "Phyllocraterina". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ Hyde, K.D.; Noorabadi, M.T.; Thiyagaraja, V.; He, M.Q.; Johnston, P.R.; Wijesinghe, S.N.; et al. (2024). "The 2024 Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa". Mycosphere. 15 (1): 5146–6239 [5225]. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/15/1/25 (inactive 28 November 2024).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link) - ^ Aptroot, André; Diederich, Paul; Sérusiaux, Emmanuël; Sipman, Harrie J.M. (1997). Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi from New Guinea. Bibliotheca Lichenologica. Vol. 64. J. Cramer. p. 132. ISBN 978-3-443-58043-8.
- ^ "Record Details: Phyllocratera Sérus. & Aptroot, Biblthca Lichenol. 64: 132 (1997)". Index Fungorum. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Hongsanan, Sinang; Hyde, Kevin D.; Phookamsak, Rungtiwa; Wanasinghe, Dhanushka N.; McKenzie, Eric H. C.; Sarma, V. Venkateswara; et al. (2020). "Refined families of Dothideomycetes: orders and families incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes". Fungal Diversity. 105 (1): 17–318. doi:10.1007/s13225-020-00462-6.