Diagnosis: Ramalina darwiniana var. typica differt thallo laciniis canaliculatis curvatis, 2-3 mm diam. max.
Type: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora, near the Charles Darwin Research Station, 0˚ 44’ 32” S, 90˚ 18’ 10” W, alt. 5 m, , on twigs of coastal shrubs, 24 May 2005, A. Aptroot 63029 (CDS no. 29757–holotype; ABL–isotype).
Ramalina darwiniana var. curvida is described here to accommodate specimens that consistently have narrow, more strongly and deeply canaliculate lobes. In the field the two varieties can often be distinguished growing side by side. Molecular studies may help to elucidate if the two varieties should be distinguished at species level.
Selected specimens examined. Ecuador: Galápagos: Isabela Island, Volcán Alcedo, highest cinder cone along the trail going up the E-slope, 0˚ 23’ 37” S, 91˚ 1’ 31” W, alt. 250 m, arid lowlands; basalt outcrops, at the bottom scattered Bursera graveolens trees and shrubs of Castela galapageia, on bark, Bursera, 10 iii 2006, A. Aptroot 65025 (CDS no. 31607); Plaza Sur Island, 0˚ 34’ 59” S, 90˚ 9’ 54” W, alt. 1 m, coastal zone; eastern part with scattered and low vegetation of Sesuvium portulacastrum & Tiquilia galapagoa, on wood, twig, 21 ii 2006, A. Aptroot 64434 (CDS no. 31002); Pinzón Island along the trail going up from Playa Escondida, 0˚ 35’ 58” S, 90˚ 39’ 32” W, alt. 20-100 m, arid zone with Prosopis juliflora, Alternanthera filifolia, Maytenus octogona, and Croton scouleri, on bark of twigs, 16 ii 06, A. Aptroot 64164 (CDS no. 30728); Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora, CDRS area, 0˚ 44’ 32” S, 90˚ 18’ 10” W, alt.1 m, on lava rock, 18 ii 06, A. Aptroot 64170 (CDS no. 30733); Santiago Island, along the trail from Bucanero to Jaboncillos, ca. 2 km SE of Bucanero, 0˚ 10’ 34” S, 90˚ 48’ 55” W, alt. 225 m, arid zone; open woodland with Bursera graveolens, Vallesia glabra, Castela galapageia, Cordia lutea and grasses, among basalt boulders and outcrops, on bark, Erythrina, 22 iii 2006, A. Aptroot 65362 (CDS no. 31948).
from: Aptroot, A. & Bungartz, F. (2007) The lichen genus Ramalina on the Galapagos. The Lichenologist39(6): 519-542.