Bryoria araucana

Bryoria araucana is a species of lichenized fungus of the genus Bryoria.

Etymology

Bryoria araucana was named after the IX Región de la Araucanía in Chile, which is the only known area for the species, as was the case in the name Araucaria araucana.

Description

Thallus pendent to subpendent, 6–12 cm long; isotomic to anisotomic dichotomously branched, angles between dichotomies mainly obtuse, rarely acute; branches terete,even, main branches at base 0·2–0·4mm diam., tips to 0·1 mm diam.; terminal portions with few lateral branchlets acutely inserted. Surface dark grey to dark greyish brown, shiny, base ordinarily black; cortex prosoplectenchymatous. Soralia and isidia lacking. Pseudocyphellae inconspicuous,depressed, fusiform, concolorous to slightly darker than the thallus, sometimes faintly pruinose, straight or twisted, up to 1·5mm long. Photobiont trebouxioid. Apothecia and conidiomata unknown. Chemistry. Inner cortex and medulla C-, K-, KC-, PD+ yellow turning red, sometimes faint. TLC: fumarprotocetraric acid as the main substance, with protocetraric and confumarprotocetraric acids in trace amounts.

Distribution and ecology

Known only from the type locality and immediate surroundings, in Chile, IX Región de La Araucanía, Provincia de Cautín, Comuna de Melipeuco, Conguillío National Park, growing on Araucaria araucana trunks.