Further notes on and additions to the thelotremoid Graphidaceae (lichenised fungi) in Tasmania, with the description of six new species

Abstract

The following new taxa are described, based principally on collections from Tasmania: Diploschistes infestans Kantvilas, also present in New Zealand and subantarctic Macquarie Island, a lichenicolous species on Stereocaulon, with (2–)4–6(–8)-spored asci and ellipsoid, muriform ascospores, 26–46 × 12–22 µm, with 5–7(–8) transverse and 1–3 longitudinal septa; Thelotrema oleariae Kantvilas, with 8-spored asci and fusiform, faintly amyloid, grey-brown to brown, sparingly muriform ascospores, 35–78 × 9–15 µm, with 10–15 transverse and 0–1 longitudinal septa; T. pinicola Kantvilas, with generally 8-spored asci and fusiform-ellipsoid, non-amyloid, brown to grey-brown, richly muriform ascospores, 44–130 × 14–30 µm, with c. 20–30 transverse and up to 5 longitudinal septa; T. subdefectum Kantvilas, with (6–)8-spored asci and ellipsoid, faintly amyloid, hyaline, muriform ascospores, 25–46 × 10–20 µm, with 5–8 transverse and 1–3 longitudinal septa; Topeliopsis obscura Kantvilas, with 4–8-spored asci, hyaline, fusiform to narrowly ellipsoid, non-amyloid ascospores, 50–122 × 9–22 µm, with 9–19 transverse septa, and usually containing traces of stictic acid; T. scopulana Kantvilas, a saxicolous species with a relatively thick, well-developed thallus lacking lichen substances, 2-spored asci, and hyaline, richly muriform, ellipsoid, intensely amyloid ascospores, 44–110 × 13–34 µm, with (8–)10–15 transverse and 1–4 longitudinal septa. Identification keys for Thelotrema and Topeliopsis in Tasmania and southern Australia are provided. Ocellularia jugalis Müll.Arg. is a new synonym for Thelotrema bicavatum Nyl. Catillaria stereocaularum (Th.Fr.) H.Oliver, a further parasite on Stereocaulon, is recorded for Australasia (Tasmania) for the first time.