Two new species of Lecaimmeria (lichenized Ascomycota, Lecideaceae) from Asia

Abstract

Two new species of the lichen genus Lecaimmeria are described and illustrated from Pakistan, namely, Lecaimmeria asiatica and L. crispula. The former taxon is characterized by pale brown to dark brown thallus, up to 2-mm large areoles, flat to strongly convex apothecial disc, taller hymenium 120–150 µm, apically branched, not anastomosing paraphyses, large conidia 5–7 × 1.1–1.4 µm, with respect to ecology, and the absence of secondary metabolites, whereas L. crispula can be characterized by having a light brown to chocolate brown thallus, apothecia having flat to slightly concave discs with wavy margins that curl inward, a tall hymenium150–180 μm, branched and anastomosing paraphyses, large ascospores 25–33 × 12–17 μm, and absence of secondary metabolites. A phylogenetic analysis is provided based on nrITS and nrLSU sequences that support the separation of both novel species. Comparative analyses with related species of Lecaimmeria are provided to confirm the status of these species.