Peltula nigrotestudinea Aptroot & M. Cáceres, sp. nov.

(Fig. 3A, B)

Saxicolous Peltula with thallus almost black, consisting of angular, flattened, thick areoles with large interspaces between them.

MYCOBANK NO. — MB 839716.

GENBANK. — MZ198741.

TYPE. — Brazil, Sergipe, Poço Redondo, Cajueiros, Trilha Ecoparque, 09°39’43”S, 43°40’18”W, on exposed granite, 15.XI.2018, M. Cáceres & A. Aptroot (holo-, ISE [ISE48066]; iso-, ABL).

DESCRIPTION

Thallus

Spreading, covering an area of up to 5 cm diam., c. 0.4 mm thick, containing of areoles with large interspaces between them, closely appressed, almost black; areoles angular, rather irregularly shaped, c. 0.6-1.2 mm diam., flat, marginal areoles not elongated; sides somewhat rounded; attachment area roughly of similar size as upper surface; not distinctly pulvinate or turbinate.

Apothecia and pycnidia

Not observed.

CHEMISTRY. — No secondary substances detected.

ECOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION. — On exposed granite in Caatinga. Known only from Brazil.