Ducatina umbilicata gen. et sp. nov., a remarkable Trapeliaceae from the subantarctic islands in the Indian Ocean

• Published in: The Lichenologist
• Main Authors: ERTZ, Damien, SØCHTING, Ulrik, GADEA, Alice, CHARRIER, Maryvonne, POULSEN, Roar S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2017
• Subjects: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Kerguelen; Indian; Îles Kerguelen; Antarc*; Antarctica; Îles Crozet
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0024282916000700; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0024282916000700

Abstract The new genus and species Ducatina umbilicata is described from Îles Crozet and Îles Kerguelen. This lichen is characterized by an umbilicate thallus with a black verrucose lower surface and a greyish to dark olivaceous smooth upper surface having large verrucae, large semi-immersed cephalodia, semi-immersed apothecia with a prominent thalline margin, simple, mainly ellipsoid ascospores of 23–42×12–25 µm and the presence of unknown chemical compounds. Phylogenetic analyses using nuLSU and mtSSU sequences place Ducatina in the Trapeliaceae ( Baeomycetales ). The new taxon is closely related to Orceolina antarctica and O . kerguelensis , two other lichens endemic to these subantarctic islands, differing by its morphology and the lack of chemical compounds. Ducatina is the only genus in the Trapeliaceae to develop a large umbilicate thallus.