Two New Sorediate Taxa of Peltigera

Author: Goffinet B.   Hastings R.I.  

Publisher: Academic Press

ISSN: 0024-2829

Source: Lichenologist, Vol.27, Iss.1, 1995-01, pp. : 43-58

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Abstract

Examination of specimens of Peltigera didactyla , from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America revealed that this sorediate species includes three entities that can be separated on morphological characters. A new species, P. lambinonii , is described from East Africa, and a new combination P. didactyla var. extenuata , is proposed to accommodate morphs from mesic forest habitats in Asia, Europe and North America. Despite this taxonomic reduction, P. didactyla var. didactyla remains a ubiquitous taxon. The former two taxa often produce methyl gyrophorate, which can co-occur with traces of gyrophoric acid. These tridepsides were only rarely detected in var. didactyla ; their occasional presence seems to be best explained by hybridization. The taxonomic and ecological significance of these substances is discussed.