2023 Volume 98 Issue 6 Pages 304-318
Three new species of the genus Ramalina, R. congesta Kashiw., K.H.Moon & J.E.Han, R. disciformis Kashiw., K.H.Moon & J.E.Han, and R. tumescens Kashiw., K.H.Moon & J.E.Han, are described. All of these species grow on rocks and their primary lichen substances consist of evernic acid, obtusatic acid, and usnic acid. The distinguishing characteristic of R. congesta, unlike other known Ramalina species with fistulose branches, is that its thallus loosely creeps and spreads over the substrate, forming a cushion-like structure. The branches are sparsely branched, producing granular soredia at their tips and on their surfaces. Ramalina disciformis has a unique disc-shaped thallus composed of densely clustered branches. The central branches in the thallus measure a few millimeters or less. In contrast, the peripheral branches extend up to approximately 1 cm. These branches are solid and form labriform soralia near the apices. Ramalina tumescens can be distinguished by its fistulose branches that are tapered and pointed, the absence of soredia, white pseudocyphellae, the presence of perpendicular short branchlets, and continuous medullary hyphae. Ramalina congesta is found in coastal and mountainous areas in Japan and Korea. Ramalina disciformis has so far been found only in Hokkaido, Japan. Ramalina tumescens is a coastal species in the Izu Peninsula and the Oki Islands in Japan. The topology of a Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) tree based on each ITS and three loci datasets (ITS, IGS, mtSSU) show the three strongly supported clades, corresponding to the differences of the new species and morphologically allied species.
