Abstract
Subandine and high Andean forests are often dominated by oak trees and these are recognized as suitable phorophytes for diverse epiphyte communities. Among the latter, lichens in the upper strata appear to be understudied. Here, we report the discovery of two new species of Astrothelium (Trypetheliaceae), a diverse genus of tropical crustose lichens, both with the unusual feature of muriform, amyloid ascospores. Astrothelium mordonialensis is characterized by an olive-green thallus with solitary ascomata producing muriform and amyloid ascospores with tightened center and A. rogitamae by a light brownish to greenish grey thallus with yellow pigmented solitary ascomata, producing muriform and amyloid ascospores.
References
<p>Aptroot, A., Caceres, M.E.S., Johnston, M.K. & Lücking, R. (2016) How diverse is the lichenized fungal family Trypetheliaceae (Ascomycota: Dothideomycetes)? A quantitative prediction of global species richness. <em>The Lichenologist</em> 48: 983–994. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282916000463</p>
<p>Aptroot, A. & Lücking, R. (2016) A revisionary synopsis of the Trypetheliaceae (Ascomycota: Trypetheliales). <em>Lichenologist</em> 48: 763–982. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282916000487</p>
<p>Aptroot, A., Sipman, H.J.M., Barreto, F.M.O., Nunes, A.D. & da Silva Cáceres, M.E. (2019) Ten new species and 34 new country records of Trypetheliaceae. <em>The Lichenologist</em> 51: 27–43.https://doi.org/10.1017/S002428291800052X</p>
<p>Ardila, A.I., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2014) Epiphyte homogenization and de-diversification on alien Eucalyptus versus native Quercus forest in the Colombian Andes: a case study using lirellate Graphidaceae lichens. <em>Biodiversity and Conservation</em> 24: 1239–1252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0855-7</p>
<p>Campos, L. V, Mota de Oliveira, S., Benavides, J.C., Uribe-M, J. & ter Steege, H. (2019) Vertical distribution and diversity of epiphytic bryophytes in the Colombian Amazon. <em>Journal of Bryology</em> 41: 328–340.https://doi.org/10.1080/03736687.2019.1641898</p>
<p>Coca, L.F., Lücking, R. & Moncada, B. (2018) Two new, sympatric and semi-cryptic species of <em>Sulzbacheromyces</em> (Lichenized Basidiomycota, Lepidostromatales) from the Chocó Biogeographic Region in Colombia. <em>The Bryologist</em> 121: 297–305. https://doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-121.3.297</p>
<p>Flakus, A., Kukwa, M. & Aptroot, A. (2016) Trypetheliaceae of Bolivia: an updated checklist with descriptions of twenty-four new species. <em>The Lichenologist</em> 48: 661–692.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282915000559</p>
<p>Forman, R. (1975) Canopy Lichens with Blue-Green Algae: A Nitrogen Source in a Colombian Rain Forest. <em>Ecology</em> 56: 1176–1184. https://doi.org/10.2307/1936157</p>
<p>Gil, J. & Morales-Puentes, M. (2014) Estratificación vertical de briófitos epífitos encontrados en <em>Quercus</em> <em>humboldtii</em> ( Fagaceae ) de Boyacá, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 62: 719–727. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v62i2.8482</p>
<p>van Leerdam, A. & Veneklaas, E.J. (1990) The distribution of epiphyte growth forms in the canopy of a colombian cloud forest. <em>Vegetatio</em> 87: 59–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045656</p>
<p>Lücking, R., Dal-Forno, M., Lawrey, J.D., Bungartz, F., Holgado Rojas, M.E., Hernández, J.E.M., Marcelli, M.P., Moncada, B., Morales, E.A., Nelsen, M.P., Paz, E., Salcedo, L., Spielmann, A.A., Wilk, K., Will-Wolf, S. & Yánez-Ayabaca, A. (2013) Ten new species of lichenized Basidiomycota in the genera <em>Dictyonema</em> and <em>Cora</em> (Agaricales: Hygrophoraceae), with a key to all accepted genera and species in the <em>Dictyonema</em> clade. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 139 (1): 1–38. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.139.1.1</p>
<p>Lücking, R., Johnston, M.K., Aptroot, A., Kraichak, E., Lendemer, J.C., Boonpragob, K., Caceres, M.E.S., Ertz, D., Ferraro, L.I. & Jia, Z. (2014) One hundred and seventy-five new species of Graphidaceae: closing the gap or a drop in the bucket? <em>Phytotaxa</em> 189 (1): 7–38. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.189.1.4</p>
<p>Lücking, R., Dal Forno, M., Moncada, B., Coca, L.F., Vargas-Mendoza, L.Y., Aptroot, A., Arias, L., Besal, B., Bungarz, F., D, C.-A., Cáceres, M., Chavez, J., Eliasaro, S., Gutiérrez, M., Hernández, J., Herrera-Campos, M., Holgado-Rojas, M., Jonitz, H., Kukwa, M., Lucheta, F., Madriñan, S., Marcelli, M., Martins, S., Mercado-Díaz, J., Molina, J., Morales, E., Nelson, P., Nugra, F., Ortega, F., Paredes, T., Patiño, A., R, P.-P., Pérez, R., Perlmutter, G., Rivas-Plata, E., Robayo, J., Rodríguez, C., Simijaca, D., Soto, E., Spielmann, A., Suárez-Corredor, A., Torres, J., Vargas, C., Yánez-Ayabaca, A., Weerakoon, G., Wilk, K., Celis, M., Diazgranados, M., Brokamp, G., Borsch, T., Gillevet, P., Sikaroodi, M. & Lawrey, J. (2016) Turbo-taxonomy to assemble a megadiverse lichen genus: seventy new species of <em>Cora</em> ( Basidiomycota : Agaricales : Hygrophoraceae ), honouring David Leslie Hawksworth’s seventieth birthday. <em>Fungal Diversity</em>: 1–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-016-0374-9</p>
<p>Moncada, B., Coca, L.F. & Lücking, R. (2013a) Neotropical members of <em>Sticta</em> (lichenized Ascomycota: Lobariaceae) forming photosymbiodemes, with the description of seven new species. <em>The Bryologist</em> 116: 169–200. https://doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-116.2.169</p>
<p>Moncada, B., Lücking, R. & Betancourt-Macuase, L. (2013b) Phylogeny of the Lobariaceae (lichenized Ascomycota: Peltigerales), with a reappraisal of the genus <em>Lobariella</em>. <em>Lichenologist</em> 45: 203–263.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000825</p>
<p>Moncada, B., Suárez, A. & Lüecking, R. (2015) Nueve especies nuevas del género <em>Sticta</em> (Ascomycota liquenizados: Lobariaceae) del morfotipo fuliginosa sensu lato de Colombia. <em>Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales</em>: 50–66. https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.110</p>
<p>Motta, K., Amórtegui, K., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2019) New species in the genus Graphis with transversally septate ascospores (Ascomycota: Ostropales: Graphidaceae) from Colombia. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 401 (4): 257–266.https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.401.4.3</p>
<p>Nelsen, M.P., Lücking, R., Aptroot, A., Andrew, C.J., Cáceres, M., Plata, E.R., Gueidan, C., da Silva Canêz, L., Knight, A., Ludwig, L.R., Mercado-Díaz, J.A., Parnmen, S. & Lumbsch, H.T. (2014) Elucidating phylogenetic relationships and genus-level classification within the fungal family Trypetheliaceae (Ascomycota: Dothideomycetes). <em>Taxon</em> 63: 974–992.https://doi.org/10.12705/635.9</p>
<p>de Oliveira Mendonça, C., Aptroot, A., Lücking, R. & da Silva Cáceres, M.E. (2020) Global species richness prediction for Pyrenulaceae (Ascomycota: Pyrenulales), the last of the “big three” most speciose tropical microlichen families. <em>Biodiversity and Conservation</em> 29: 1059–1079.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01925-2</p>
<p>Rincón-Espitia, A., Aguirre-C., J. & Lücking, R. (2011) Corticolous lichens in the Caribbean region of Colombia. <em>Caldasia</em> 33: 331–347.</p>
<p>Simijaca, D., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2018) Bosque de roble o plantación de coníferas, ¿qué prefieren los líquenes epífitos? <em>Colombia Forestal</em> 21: 123–141. https://doi.org/10.14483/2256201X.12575</p>
<p>Simijaca Salcedo, D.F., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2017) Rol de <em>Pinus patula</em> (Pinaceae) como hospedera de líquenes epífitos y su comparación con <em>Quercus</em> <em>humboldtii</em> (Fagaceae). <em>Ciencia en Desarrollo</em> 8: 56–57.</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E. (2011) Lichens of the Gorgona Island National Natural Park (Cauca, Colombia) Líquenes del Parque Nacional Natural Isla de Gorgona (Cauca, Colombia). <em>Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution</em> 33: 43–53.https://doi.org/10.11646/bde.33.1.8</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E., Lücking, R. & Bolaños Rojas, A. (2012) Especificidad de forófito y preferencias microambientales de los líquenes cortícolas en cinco forófitos del bosque premontano de finca Zíngara, Cali, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 60: 843–856. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v60i2.4017</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E., Londoño-Lemos, V. & Díaz-Escandón, D. (2015) Epiphytes from a forest type transition zone in the Choco biogeographic region, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 63: 915–926. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v63i4.16733</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E., Aptroot, A. & Lücking, R. (2017) <em>Aspidothelium</em> <em>silverstonei</em> and <em>Astrothelium</em> <em>fuscosporum</em>, two new corticolous lichen species from Colombia. <em>Cryptogamie, Mycologie</em> 38: 253–258. https://doi.org/10.7872/crym/v38.iss2.2017.253</p>
<p>Soto, E., Lücking, R. & Rojas, A.B. (2012) Especificidad de forófito y preferencias microambientales de los líquenes cortícolas en cinco forófitos del bosque premontano de finca Zíngara, Cali, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 60: 843–856. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v60i2.4017</p>
<p>Wolf, J. (1993a) Epiphyte comunities of tropical montane rain forest northern Andes I. Lower montane comunities. <em>Phytocoenologia</em> 22: 1–52. https://doi.org/10.1127/phyto/22/1993/1</p>
<p>Wolf, J.H.D. (1993b) Diversity patterns and biomass of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens along an altitudinal gradient in the northern Andes. <em>Annals of the Missouri Botanical Gardens</em> 80: 928–960. https://doi.org/10.2307/2399938</p>
<p>Aptroot, A. & Lücking, R. (2016) A revisionary synopsis of the Trypetheliaceae (Ascomycota: Trypetheliales). <em>Lichenologist</em> 48: 763–982. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282916000487</p>
<p>Aptroot, A., Sipman, H.J.M., Barreto, F.M.O., Nunes, A.D. & da Silva Cáceres, M.E. (2019) Ten new species and 34 new country records of Trypetheliaceae. <em>The Lichenologist</em> 51: 27–43.https://doi.org/10.1017/S002428291800052X</p>
<p>Ardila, A.I., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2014) Epiphyte homogenization and de-diversification on alien Eucalyptus versus native Quercus forest in the Colombian Andes: a case study using lirellate Graphidaceae lichens. <em>Biodiversity and Conservation</em> 24: 1239–1252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0855-7</p>
<p>Campos, L. V, Mota de Oliveira, S., Benavides, J.C., Uribe-M, J. & ter Steege, H. (2019) Vertical distribution and diversity of epiphytic bryophytes in the Colombian Amazon. <em>Journal of Bryology</em> 41: 328–340.https://doi.org/10.1080/03736687.2019.1641898</p>
<p>Coca, L.F., Lücking, R. & Moncada, B. (2018) Two new, sympatric and semi-cryptic species of <em>Sulzbacheromyces</em> (Lichenized Basidiomycota, Lepidostromatales) from the Chocó Biogeographic Region in Colombia. <em>The Bryologist</em> 121: 297–305. https://doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-121.3.297</p>
<p>Flakus, A., Kukwa, M. & Aptroot, A. (2016) Trypetheliaceae of Bolivia: an updated checklist with descriptions of twenty-four new species. <em>The Lichenologist</em> 48: 661–692.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282915000559</p>
<p>Forman, R. (1975) Canopy Lichens with Blue-Green Algae: A Nitrogen Source in a Colombian Rain Forest. <em>Ecology</em> 56: 1176–1184. https://doi.org/10.2307/1936157</p>
<p>Gil, J. & Morales-Puentes, M. (2014) Estratificación vertical de briófitos epífitos encontrados en <em>Quercus</em> <em>humboldtii</em> ( Fagaceae ) de Boyacá, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 62: 719–727. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v62i2.8482</p>
<p>van Leerdam, A. & Veneklaas, E.J. (1990) The distribution of epiphyte growth forms in the canopy of a colombian cloud forest. <em>Vegetatio</em> 87: 59–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045656</p>
<p>Lücking, R., Dal-Forno, M., Lawrey, J.D., Bungartz, F., Holgado Rojas, M.E., Hernández, J.E.M., Marcelli, M.P., Moncada, B., Morales, E.A., Nelsen, M.P., Paz, E., Salcedo, L., Spielmann, A.A., Wilk, K., Will-Wolf, S. & Yánez-Ayabaca, A. (2013) Ten new species of lichenized Basidiomycota in the genera <em>Dictyonema</em> and <em>Cora</em> (Agaricales: Hygrophoraceae), with a key to all accepted genera and species in the <em>Dictyonema</em> clade. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 139 (1): 1–38. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.139.1.1</p>
<p>Lücking, R., Johnston, M.K., Aptroot, A., Kraichak, E., Lendemer, J.C., Boonpragob, K., Caceres, M.E.S., Ertz, D., Ferraro, L.I. & Jia, Z. (2014) One hundred and seventy-five new species of Graphidaceae: closing the gap or a drop in the bucket? <em>Phytotaxa</em> 189 (1): 7–38. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.189.1.4</p>
<p>Lücking, R., Dal Forno, M., Moncada, B., Coca, L.F., Vargas-Mendoza, L.Y., Aptroot, A., Arias, L., Besal, B., Bungarz, F., D, C.-A., Cáceres, M., Chavez, J., Eliasaro, S., Gutiérrez, M., Hernández, J., Herrera-Campos, M., Holgado-Rojas, M., Jonitz, H., Kukwa, M., Lucheta, F., Madriñan, S., Marcelli, M., Martins, S., Mercado-Díaz, J., Molina, J., Morales, E., Nelson, P., Nugra, F., Ortega, F., Paredes, T., Patiño, A., R, P.-P., Pérez, R., Perlmutter, G., Rivas-Plata, E., Robayo, J., Rodríguez, C., Simijaca, D., Soto, E., Spielmann, A., Suárez-Corredor, A., Torres, J., Vargas, C., Yánez-Ayabaca, A., Weerakoon, G., Wilk, K., Celis, M., Diazgranados, M., Brokamp, G., Borsch, T., Gillevet, P., Sikaroodi, M. & Lawrey, J. (2016) Turbo-taxonomy to assemble a megadiverse lichen genus: seventy new species of <em>Cora</em> ( Basidiomycota : Agaricales : Hygrophoraceae ), honouring David Leslie Hawksworth’s seventieth birthday. <em>Fungal Diversity</em>: 1–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-016-0374-9</p>
<p>Moncada, B., Coca, L.F. & Lücking, R. (2013a) Neotropical members of <em>Sticta</em> (lichenized Ascomycota: Lobariaceae) forming photosymbiodemes, with the description of seven new species. <em>The Bryologist</em> 116: 169–200. https://doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-116.2.169</p>
<p>Moncada, B., Lücking, R. & Betancourt-Macuase, L. (2013b) Phylogeny of the Lobariaceae (lichenized Ascomycota: Peltigerales), with a reappraisal of the genus <em>Lobariella</em>. <em>Lichenologist</em> 45: 203–263.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000825</p>
<p>Moncada, B., Suárez, A. & Lüecking, R. (2015) Nueve especies nuevas del género <em>Sticta</em> (Ascomycota liquenizados: Lobariaceae) del morfotipo fuliginosa sensu lato de Colombia. <em>Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales</em>: 50–66. https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.110</p>
<p>Motta, K., Amórtegui, K., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2019) New species in the genus Graphis with transversally septate ascospores (Ascomycota: Ostropales: Graphidaceae) from Colombia. <em>Phytotaxa</em> 401 (4): 257–266.https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.401.4.3</p>
<p>Nelsen, M.P., Lücking, R., Aptroot, A., Andrew, C.J., Cáceres, M., Plata, E.R., Gueidan, C., da Silva Canêz, L., Knight, A., Ludwig, L.R., Mercado-Díaz, J.A., Parnmen, S. & Lumbsch, H.T. (2014) Elucidating phylogenetic relationships and genus-level classification within the fungal family Trypetheliaceae (Ascomycota: Dothideomycetes). <em>Taxon</em> 63: 974–992.https://doi.org/10.12705/635.9</p>
<p>de Oliveira Mendonça, C., Aptroot, A., Lücking, R. & da Silva Cáceres, M.E. (2020) Global species richness prediction for Pyrenulaceae (Ascomycota: Pyrenulales), the last of the “big three” most speciose tropical microlichen families. <em>Biodiversity and Conservation</em> 29: 1059–1079.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01925-2</p>
<p>Rincón-Espitia, A., Aguirre-C., J. & Lücking, R. (2011) Corticolous lichens in the Caribbean region of Colombia. <em>Caldasia</em> 33: 331–347.</p>
<p>Simijaca, D., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2018) Bosque de roble o plantación de coníferas, ¿qué prefieren los líquenes epífitos? <em>Colombia Forestal</em> 21: 123–141. https://doi.org/10.14483/2256201X.12575</p>
<p>Simijaca Salcedo, D.F., Moncada, B. & Lücking, R. (2017) Rol de <em>Pinus patula</em> (Pinaceae) como hospedera de líquenes epífitos y su comparación con <em>Quercus</em> <em>humboldtii</em> (Fagaceae). <em>Ciencia en Desarrollo</em> 8: 56–57.</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E. (2011) Lichens of the Gorgona Island National Natural Park (Cauca, Colombia) Líquenes del Parque Nacional Natural Isla de Gorgona (Cauca, Colombia). <em>Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution</em> 33: 43–53.https://doi.org/10.11646/bde.33.1.8</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E., Lücking, R. & Bolaños Rojas, A. (2012) Especificidad de forófito y preferencias microambientales de los líquenes cortícolas en cinco forófitos del bosque premontano de finca Zíngara, Cali, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 60: 843–856. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v60i2.4017</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E., Londoño-Lemos, V. & Díaz-Escandón, D. (2015) Epiphytes from a forest type transition zone in the Choco biogeographic region, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 63: 915–926. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v63i4.16733</p>
<p>Soto-Medina, E., Aptroot, A. & Lücking, R. (2017) <em>Aspidothelium</em> <em>silverstonei</em> and <em>Astrothelium</em> <em>fuscosporum</em>, two new corticolous lichen species from Colombia. <em>Cryptogamie, Mycologie</em> 38: 253–258. https://doi.org/10.7872/crym/v38.iss2.2017.253</p>
<p>Soto, E., Lücking, R. & Rojas, A.B. (2012) Especificidad de forófito y preferencias microambientales de los líquenes cortícolas en cinco forófitos del bosque premontano de finca Zíngara, Cali, Colombia. <em>Revista de Biología Tropical</em> 60: 843–856. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v60i2.4017</p>
<p>Wolf, J. (1993a) Epiphyte comunities of tropical montane rain forest northern Andes I. Lower montane comunities. <em>Phytocoenologia</em> 22: 1–52. https://doi.org/10.1127/phyto/22/1993/1</p>
<p>Wolf, J.H.D. (1993b) Diversity patterns and biomass of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens along an altitudinal gradient in the northern Andes. <em>Annals of the Missouri Botanical Gardens</em> 80: 928–960. https://doi.org/10.2307/2399938</p>