Sirenophila macquariensis
Synonyms
Caloplaca maculata D.J.Galloway; Caloplaca macquariensis C.W.Dodge
Family
Teloschistaceae
Flora category
Lichen – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Lichens - Crustose
Current conservation status
2018 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: DP, RR, Sp
Brief description
Characterised by the saxicolous habit (coastal rocks); the chinky, white, K−, verruculose-papillate, maculate thallus; conspicuous pale-orange apothecial discs (yellow when wet) with persistent, maculate thalline margin concolorous with thallus; hymenium with inspersed oil droplets; medium-sized ascospores 10–13.5 × 5–6.5 μm, with a rather narrow septum, ¼ the length of the spore.
Distribution
South Island: Otago coastline. Chatham Islands: Rēkohu / Wharekauri / Chatham Island, Wharekaikite (Rabbit Island), Maung’Re / Mangere Island. Macquarie Island
Habitat
Associating with the saxicolous lichen Dufourea ligulata.
Detailed description
Saxicolous on base-rich substrates. Thallus spreading in irregular ± circular patches, 10−40 mm diameter, deeply areolate-cracked, prothallus absent; areolae angular, 0.5−2.0 mm diameter, separated by deep cracks, surface convex, verruculose-papillate to minutely cerebriform; pale greenish white, distinctly maculate when wet, grey-white when dry; K-. Apothecia conspicuous, 1(−3) per areole, sessile, rounded to contorted through mutual pressure, (0.2−)0.5−1.0(−1.8) mm diameter, disc plane to convex, matt, or glossy, clear yellow when wet, orange when dry; thalline margin persistent, thin or thick, verrucose-papillate, maculate, concolorous with thallus; proper margin thin, pale yellow, often obscured. Epithecium yellow, granular, 8.5−13.5 µm thick. Hymenium colourless, inspersed with oil drop-lets, 60−70 µm tall. Paraphyses slender, 1.5−2.0 µm thick, apices furcate, swollen, 3.5−5.0 µm diameter. Hypothecium massive, inspersed with oil droplets. Asci clavate, 50−60 × 12−16.5 µm, 8-spored. Ascospores ellipsoid, apices rounded, (10−)11.5−13.5 × 5.0−6.5 µm; septum 2.0−3.2 µm thick, ¼ the length of spore.
Chemistry: Thallus K−, apothecial disc K+ reddish purple; containing parietin.
Threats
Once thought to be a Chatham Islands endemic on the brink of extinction (de Lange 2019), this species has now been found in a number of sites on those islands and seems secure (though populations are very small) (de Lange et al. 2021). It has also been found on the east coast of the South Island (de Lange 2012). Outside New Zealand the species is known from a single collection from Macquarie Island (Søchting & de Lange 2024).
Substrate
Saxicolous (coastal rocks) - basciolous rocks only (basalt, basaltic tuff)
Etymology
macquariensis: From Macquarie Island
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by Marley Ford (16 February 2022) revised by Peter J. de Lange (May 2024). Distribution, Habitat, Features, and Similar taxa sections modifed from Søchting & de Lange (2024).
References and further reading
de Lange P.J. 2012: Sole Chatham Islands endemic lichen discovered on south Otago Coastline – Natural Heritage. Chatham Islands, New Zealand. https://chathams.co.nz/ (website accessed: 4
September 2019).
de Lange P.J. 2019: The unexpected near demise of Caloplaca maculata (Teloschistaceae; lichenized mycobiota) from the Chatham Islands. Trilepidea 190: 8-12. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/site/assets/files/0/65/811/trilepidea_july_2021_final.pdf
de Lange P.J., Hitchon T., Patterson E. 2021: New Chatham Islands locations for Caloplaca maculata D.J.Galloway (Teloschistaceae). Trilepidea 207: 3-6. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/site/assets/files/0/59/204/trilepidea_may_2021_final.pdf
Søchting, U., de Lange, P. (2024). Sirenophila macquariensis (Teloschistaceae) – a new name for the lichen Caloplaca maculata. Perspectives in Biodiversity 2(1): 42–49. https://doi.org/10.34074/pibdiv.002105
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: Ford, M.; de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Sirenophila macquariensis Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/sirenophila-macquariensis/ (Date website was queried)