A new pruinose lichen species in genus Lobothallia (Megasporaceae, lichen forming Ascomycota) from Pakistan

A new species in the genus Lobothallia (Megasporaceae, lichenized ascomycetes), from Margalla Hills, Pakistan, is described and illustrated here under the name Lobothallia densipruinosa. It is characterized by contiguous, clustered, densely pruinose dark olive apothecia, conidia 6-10 ??m long, and large areoles and lobes. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-nrDNA sequencing placed our species relative to L. pruinosa. Descriptions and images of the new species are provided, as well as a key for the 21 species of Lobothallia known to the world.

Automated summary

A new species, Lobothallia densipruinosa, from Margalla Hills, Pakistan, is described and illustrated in this article. The species is characterized by densely pruinose dark olive apothecia, conidia ranging from 6-10 μm in length, and large areoles and lobes. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-nrDNA sequencing revealed its relationship to L. pruinosa. Descriptions and images of the new species are provided, along with a key for identifying the 21 known species of Lobothallia.