The Cryptothecia candida complex revisited

Abstract

Revision of world-wide material of Cryptothecia candida sensu Santesson (1952) revealed that three different species are involved, differing in the shape of their ascomata, chemistry, and distribution. C. candida (Kremp.) R. Sant. s. str. [syn.: Arthonia lacerata Vain.; C. epiphylla R. Sant.] contains 2′-O-methylperlatolic acid and 2′-O-methylanziaic acid (thallus and ascomata C+ red) and has rounded to slightly irregular ascomata; it is a paleotropical species occurring in Africa and SE Asia (absent in Australia). All neotropical populations previously identified as C. candida contain perlatolic acid (thallus and ascomata C−) and are further characterized by their well-delimited, regularly rounded ascomata. The name Cryptothecia filicina (Ellis & Everh.) Lücking & G. Thor comb. nov. [bas.: Ascomycetella filicina Ellis & Everh.; syn.: Myxotheca hypocreoides Ferd. & Winge] is taken up for this taxon. A third species was discovered in material from Australia and China (Hong Kong) and is here described as Cryptothecia irregularis Lücking, Aptroot, Kalb & Elix sp. nov. Its ascomata are radiately elongate and it contains psoromic, subpsoromic, 2′-O-demethylpsoromic, and confluentic acids.