Lepra scutellifera
Synonyms
Pertusaria scutellifera A.W.Archer & Elix
Family
Ochrolechiaceae
Flora category
Lichen – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Lichens - Crustose
Current conservation status
2018 | Not Threatened
Brief description
Characterised by the corticolous habit; disc-like apothecia; 1-spored asci; and the presence of thamnolic acid.
Distribution
North Island: Wellington (Mt Ruapehu, Rangataiki, Waipakahi Valley). South Island: Nelson (Mt Arthur), Canterbury (Arthur’s Pass), Otago (Rees Valley, Dart Valley), Southland (Cascade Creek, Eglington Valley, Manapouri, Alton Valley near Tuatapere).
Habitat
On twigs of Dracophyllum rosmarinifolium and bark of D. traversii, Lophozonia menziesii, and Fuscospora cliffortioides. Associating with Haematomma hilare, H. nothofagi, Miltidea ceroplasta, Tephromela atra and species of Usnea.
Detailed description
Thallus whitish, areolate, surface irregularly subtuberculate and dull, without isidia or soredia. Apothecia disc-like, conspicuous, numerous and crowded, concolorous with thallus, 0.6–1.2 mm diam.; disc orange-brown, densely white-pruinose. Ascospores 1 per ascus, ellipsoidal, smooth, (125–)150–185 × 45–55 μm; wall 3–5 μm thick.
Chemistry: K+ yellow, C−, KC−, Pd+ yellow; containing thamnolic acid.
Similar taxa
It is distinguished from P. novaezelandiae by the chemistry (P. novaezelandiae contains hypothamnolic acid which reacts K+ purple-violet).
Substrate
Corticolous
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by Marley Ford (14 June 2022). Brief description, Distribution, Habitat, and Features sections copied from Galloway (2007).
References and further reading
Galloway D.J. 2007: Flora of New Zealand: Lichens, including lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi. 2nd edition. Lincoln, Manaaki Whenua Press. 2261 pp.