Parmeliella nigrocincta
Synonyms
Parmelia nigrocincta Mont., Pannaria subsimilis C.Knight, Pannaria apiculata C.Knight, Parmeliella apiculata (C.Knight) Müll.Arg., Pannaria biatorina C.Knight, Pannaria obliterans Nyl.
Family
Pannariaceae
Flora category
Lichen – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Lichens - Squamulose
Current conservation status
2018 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: SO
Brief description
A very variable species aggregate, much in need of further close study throughout its range. Typical P. nigrocinta is distinctive, appearing somewhat crustose, of small, ±discrete squamules growing closely appressed to the substratum, producing apothecia with very broad, distinct margins. At the other end of the spectrum of variation there are specimens having squamules only loosely attached with ±ascending margins, marginally ±foliose, often producing lobules, even around the apothecia, which then have narrower margins. However, there are many intermediate forms and at present it is difficult to evaluate what is part of the genetic variation and what is ecologically induced.
Distribution
North Island: Northland (Three Kings Islands, Te Paki) to Wellington. South Island: Nelson (Cobb Valley) to Fiordland. Stewart Island. Auckland Islands. Chatham Islands.
Also known from South East Australia, Tasmania and southern South America.
Habitat
Very widely distributed on rocks, bark, tree-fern brush (Sphaeropteris medullaris), old burned stumps, on leaves, and among mosses, and occasionally on leaves, in both shaded and well-lit habitats in predominantly lowland areas of high humidity, reaching into subalpine grassland and alpine fellfield, s.l. to 2000 m, both East and West of the Main Divide.
Detailed description
Thallus squamulose, ± closely attached, orbicular to spreading 1-5(-10) cm diam., bordered by a thin black prothallus. Squamules very variable, from minute, crenulate, stellate structures widely scattered on prothallus, to ± densely clustered, overlapping, with minute, flattened lobules at margins, to ± placodioid, radiating narrow, laciniate lobes with subascendent margins. Upper surface greyish-green to dull olive or fawnish, smooth, shining, without isidia or soredia, margins slightly white-pubescent. Lower surface pale buff or whitish-tomentose at margins, dark centrally with copious, black, squarrose rhizines. Apothecia sessile, frequent, small, to 1 mm diam., plane to convex, disc smooth, waxy, red-brown with a pale proper margin visible in young fruits, becoming thinner and less distinct with age. Ascospores ellipsoid, 12-25 × 6-9 µm.
Chemistry: TLC−, all reactions negative.
Substrate
Corticolous, saxicolous, foliicolous, muscicolous
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by Marley Ford (10 February 2023). Brief description, Distribution, Habitat, Features, and Similar taxa sections copied from Galloway (1985, 2007).
References and further reading
Galloway D.J. 1985: Flora of New Zealand: Lichens. Wellington: PD Hasselberg, Government Printer. 662 pp.
Galloway D.J. 2007: Flora of New Zealand: Lichens, including lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi. 2nd edition. Lincoln, Manaaki Whenua Press. 2261 pp.