A New Lichenized Fungal Species from East Antarctica: Austroplaca giginyakii

Objective & Hypothesis:Austroplaca giginyakii sp. nov., a new lichenized fungus species discovered in East Antarctica, is described and its taxonomic status is evaluated using an integrative approach.

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Key Findings & Data:Although morphologically similar to A. darbishirei, it is distinguished by its deeper red-orange thallus, blastidiate soralia, and blastidia dispersed over the entire thallus surface rather than being confined to squamule margins.

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Conclusion & Impact:Combined morphological and molecular evidence supports the recognition of A. giginyakii as a new species.

🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi

📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample

⚙️Variables:Doğu Antarktika · Vechernyaya Üssü · likenleşmiş mantarlar

Abstract

Austroplaca giginyakii sp. nov., a new lichenized fungus species discovered in East Antarctica, is described and its taxonomic status is evaluated using an integrative approach. The species was investigated through morphological, chemical, and molecular (nrITS) analyses. Phylogenetic results based on ITS sequences indicate that A. giginyakii forms a distinct clade within the genus Austroplaca. Although morphologically similar to A. darbishirei, it is distinguished by its deeper red-orange thallus, blastidiate soralia, and blastidia dispersed over the entire thallus surface rather than being confined to squamule margins. ITS sequence comparisons confirm its genetic distinctiveness. The type specimen was found growing on mosses and lacks both apothecia and pycnidia. Combined morphological and molecular evidence supports the recognition of A. giginyakii as a new species.

Özet

Doğu Antarktika’da keşfedilen Austroplaca giginyakii sp. nov. adlı yeni likenleşmiş mantar türü tanımlanmakta ve taksonomik statüsü bütüncül bir yaklaşımla değerlendirilmiştir. Tür, morfolojik, kimyasal ve moleküler (nrITS) analizlerle incelenmiştir. ITS dizilerine dayalı filogenetik analizler, A. giginyakii’nin Austroplaca cinsi içinde ayrı bir klad oluşturduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Morfolojik olarak A. darbishirei türüne benzemekle birlikte, daha koyu kırmızı-turuncu tallusu, blastidli soralyumları ve yalnızca pulların kenarlarında değil, tüm tallus yüzeyine yayılmış blastidleri ile bu türden ayrılmaktadır. ITS dizi karşılaştırmaları genetik açıdan da farklılığını doğrulamaktadır. Tip örneği karayosunları üzerinde gelişmekte olup, apotesyum ve piknidyum yapıları bulunmamaktadır. Morfolojik ve moleküler kanıtların birleşimi, A. giginyakii’nin yeni bir tür olarak tanınmasını desteklemektedir.

Keywords

Doğu Antarktika Vechernyaya Üssü likenleşmiş mantarlar Teloschistaceae Austroplaca East Antarctica Vechernyaya Base lichenized fungi

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Cite This Article

Halıcı, M. G., Yaystna, A., Güllü, M., Yiğit, M. (2025). A New Lichenized Fungal Species from East Antarctica: Austroplaca giginyakii. MANTAR DERGİSİ, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 2, 125–132. https://doi.org/10.30708/mantar.1740222

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