Lepraria malouina Øvstedal, Lichenlogist44, 494 (2012); type: Falkland Islands, Weddell Island, summit of Circum Peak, UTM 21F TC 3039 [51.927500°S, 60.923500°W], 650 ft [198 m], 6 January 1968, H. A. Imshaug (42023) & R. C. Harris (MSC- 0108539-holotypus).
Lithocalla malouina is similar in morphology to Lithocalla ecorticata but differs in chemistry and ITS sequence. The ITS region differs from Lithocalla ecorticata in 14 transitions, 2 transversions, a 1 bp indel and a 3 bp indel. The thallus contains terpenoid B but lacks the terpenoid A found in L. ecorticata. Fatty acids occur in traces but the two main fatty acids present in L. ecorticata are absent.
Chemistry. Unidentified terpenoid B at Rf class 6 in G (minor; faint purplish after heating, UV+ violet-purple), traces of fatty acids, usnic acid (major), rarely stictic acid, rarely atranorin (minor). Thallus K−, C−, KC+ pale yellow, PD−.
Ecology and distribution. On shaded and rain-sheltered, often south-facing siliceous rock and stones below rock overhangs; Falkland Islands.
Lichenologist 44(4): 483–500 (2012)
Lepraria malouina Øvstedal
MycoBank No.: MB 564658
Thallus leprosus, acidae usnicum et sticticum continens.
Typus: Falkland Islands, West Falkland, Weddell Island, summit of Circum Peak, UTM 21F TC 3039 [51°927500’S, 60°923500’W], 650 ft. [198 m], 6 January 1968, H. A. Imshaug (42023) & R. C. Harris (MSC- 0108539—holotypus).
Description
Thallus entirely leprose, pale yellow-grey, 5–6 cm wide, cracked. Prothallus thin and scarcely visible, pale. Hypothallus thick, 0.6–0.8 mm high, pale, loosely organized, with the lowermost part brown to dark brown where the hyphae attach to the substratum. Hyphae hyaline, c. 2 mm diam., ±smooth, septate, often branched at septa. No marginal lip. Rhizohypahe absent. Granules 35–40 mm diam., no pseudocortex formed, with ±short, protruding hyphae.
Etymology. Derived from the French name for the islands, Iles Malouines, named after the fishermen and mariners of St. Malo (France) who were the first to settle here.
Distribution and ecology. Known only from rock on the Falkland Islands.