New discoveries in Asian pannariaceous lichens

Abstract:

New collections from inner China have revealed further species in the genus Fuscopannaria: two new species, Fuscopannaria cyanogranulosa P. M. Jørg. and Fuscopannaria obtegens P. M. Jørg. are described and Fuscopannaria subgemmascens Upreti & Divakar is reported as new to Sichuan. A key to the sorediate species of the region is provided. The first fertile specimen of Kroswia gemmascens has been discovered, much further west than previously known, showing the genus to be related most closely to Fuscopannaria despite its gelatinous, homoiomerous thallus. Some collections from the Mulu region in Borneo have added to our knowledge of the difficult lowland taxa of Parmeliella, two of which proved to be new: Parmeliella plumosella P. M. Jørg. and Parmeliella polydactyla P. M. Jørg. & Coppins, both being quite unusual in containing “violet” Nostoc as cyanobiont. There is a surprising number of Asian collections with brightly coloured medullas: red-orange material has been named several times and is correctly referred to as Parmeliella endomilta Vain. The specimens with a yellow medulla are named Parmeliella endolutea P. M. Jørg., nom. nov. A key to the brightly coloured species of Parmeliella concentrated in SE Asia is given. A new corticolous Protopannaria has been discovered in Sichuan, and is described as P. corticola P. M. Jørg.