Astrothelium supraclandestinum explained

Astrothelium supraclandestinum is a species of lichen in the family Trypetheliaceae. This lichen species is closely related to Astrothelium subclandestinum, but differs in its, which is not . The species is widespread and has been observed in several countries across different continents.

Taxonomy

Astrothelium supraclandestinum was formally described by André Aptroot and Marcela Cáceres in 2016. The species is closely related to Astrothelium subclandestinum, which has an hamathecium.

Description

The thallus of Astrothelium supraclandestinum is, smooth to somewhat, somewhat shiny, continuous, and greenish-grey, covering areas up to 7cm (03inches) in diameter. It is approximately 0.1 mm thick and surrounded by a prothallus line, about 0.2 mm wide. The lichen infrequently induces somewhat spherical galls on the host bark.

Ascomata are, measuring about 0.5–0.8 mm in diameter, and are mostly aggregated in groups of 2–5, immersed in the bark tissue below . Pseudostromata are indistinctly delimited, not corticate, ochraceous or concolorous with the thallus, not much raised above the thallus, and up to 2 mm in diameter. The wall is black and up to about 60 μm thick. Ostioles are eccentric, fused, flat to convex, and brown to black. The is not inspersed with oil globules. The asci contain 8 ascospores, which are hyaline, 5-septate,, and measure 50–75 by 14–22 μm.

In terms of standard chemical spot tests, the thallus surface is UV−, and the thallus medulla is K−. Thin-layer chromatography shows no secondary substances detected.

Habitat and distribution

Astrothelium supraclandestinum is found on smooth bark of trees in primary forests. The species has been reported in Brazil, Venezuela, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.