Mycosphere 6 (2): 195–200(2015) www.mycosphere.org Copyright © 2015 ISSN 2077 7019 Article Mycosphere Online Edition Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/6/2/9 New records and an updated checklist of lichenicolous fungi from India Joshi Y1, Upadhyay S1, Shukla S1, Nayaka S2 and Rawal RS3 Lichenology laboratory, Department of Botany, S.S.J. Campus, Kumaun University, Almora – 263601, Uttarakhand, India dryogeshcalo@gmail.com 2 Lichenology laboratory, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow – 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India 3 G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora – 263643, Uttarakhand, India 1 Joshi Y, Upadhyay S, Shukla S, Nayaka S, Rawal RS 2015 – New records and an updated checklist of lichenicolous fungi from India. Mycosphere 6(2), 195–200, Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/6/2/9 Abstract The present paper describes three new records of lichen inhabiting fungi belonging to the genera Biatoropsis, Homostegia and Lichenodiplis, and also report new hosts for Homostegia hertelii and range extensions of Lichenodiplis lecanorae, Pyrenidium actinellum and Sphinctrina tubaeformis in India. An updated checklist of all lichenicolous fungi known so far from India is also provided. Key words – Biodiversity – checklist – distribution – mycobiota – parasymbiont Introduction Lichens are known to host a wide range of microorganisms including lichenicolous fungi that are parasitic fungi living on lichens. They are most commonly specific to a given fungus as the host, but also include a wide range of pathogens, saprotrophs and commensals. In the world so far about 1800 species of lichenicolous fungi have been identified and an occurrence of more than 3000 is being estimated (Lawrey & Diederich 2011). In India, lichenicolous fungi were hardly studied by lichenologists and the literature is scattered and scanty. Recently, Zhurbenko (2013) published the first list of lichenicolous fungi for India with 42 species including some taxa identified only up to generic level. However, few species of lichenicolous fungi reported earlier from India were missing in Zhurbenko’s (2013) list, while, few are discovered recently. The list of missing fungi includes - Arthonia diorygmae S. Joshi & Upreti (Joshi et al. 2013), Carbonea vitellinaria (Nyl.) Hertel (Awasthi 1991), Sphinctrina anglica Nyl. and Sphinctrina tubaeformis A. Massal. (Pant & Awasthi 1989). Recently, Joseph and Sinha (unpbl.) reported two species of Melaspilea (M. amarkantakensis S. Joseph & G.P. Sinha and M. insitiva Stirt.) as lichenicolous fungi from India. In the present communication, we are reporting six interesting species of the lichenicolous fungi based on fresh collections from Kumaun Himalaya and herbarium specimen lodged at National Botanical Research Institute (LWG). Out of six species, three are new to India, while five are new to Uttarakhand (including two new records for India), and described in brief along with their host species and distribution within and outside India. After including the species missed out by Zhurbenko (2013) along with recent records, the total tally of lichenicolous fungi in Submitted 2 November 2014, Accepted 25 February 2015, Published online 30 March 2015 Corresponding Author: Yogesh Joshi – e-mail – dryogeshcalo@gmail.com 195 India raises up to 51 (Table 1). This updated checklist would act as baseline information for further studies on lichenicolous fungi of India. Materials & Methods The study is based on 11 samples collected from Kumaun Himalaya during 2013-14 and one herbarium specimen deposited at LWG. The external morphology of the samples was examined under stereozoom microscope (OLYMPUS SZ2-ILST). The anatomical studies were carried out using hand cut sections using CX21iLEDFS1 microscope. Studied specimens are deposited in the herbarium of Kumaun University, Almora (ALM) and CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (LWG). Results Biatoropsis usnearum Räsänen, Ann. Bot. Soc. Zool.-Bot. Fenn. “Vanamo” 5: 8 (1934). Basidiomata club shaped, flat to convex, yellowish to brownish, constricted at base or subsessile, rarely with prominent short stalk. Hymenium hyaline, basidia clavate, up to 3 septate, 25–30 × 3–5 µm. Basidiospores subglobose to ellipsoidal, 4–7 × 3.5–7.5 µm. Known distribution – Cosmopolitan, known from all continents except Antarctica (Diederich 2004a). New to India. Material examined – INDIA, Tamil Nadu, Kanya Kumari, Upper Kodayar, alt. 1050 m, on thallus of corticolous Usnea austroindica, May 2011, Ravichandran, s.n. (LWG). Homostegia hertelii D. Hawksw., V. Atienza & M.S. Cole, Biblioth. Lichenol. 88: 189 (2004). Stroma arising on the surface of the host thallus, black, matt to slightly shiny, orbicular to irregular. Perithecioid locules arising deep in the stroma. Hamathecium well developed. Asci elongate to clavate, 8 spored. Ascospores 3 septate, olivaceous brown, the tips of the end cells often somewhat paler to subhyaline, smooth walled, 20–27.5 × 7–13.5 µm. Known distribution – U.S.A. (Hawksworth et al. 2004). New to Asia and India. Material examined – INDIA, Uttarakhand, Almora district, Jhakar Saim Forest, on thallus of Flavoparmelia caperata and Punctelia rudecta colonizing Quercus tree, 06 July 2014, M. Tripathi, K. Chandra & S. Upadhyay, s.n. (ALM); Dol Ashram, on thallus of Punctelia rudecta colonizing Quercus tree, 15 March 2014, M. Tripathi & party, s.n. (ALM). Lichenodiplis lecanorae (Vouaux) Dyko & D. Hawksw., Lichenologist 11(1): 52 (1979). Pycnidia present, arising singly, dark brown, subglobose, 50–120 µm in diameter. Conidiophores absent, conidiogenous cells hyaline to pale brown, lageniform to subcylindrical, 5.5–12 × 2–3 µm. Conidia pale brown, 1 septate, elongate to ellipsoid, 4–7.5 × 2–3 µm. Known distribution – Europe, North and South America, possibly cosmopolitan (Diederich 2004b). Previously the species was reported by Zhurbenko (2013) from Jammu & Kashmir, where it was colonizing on apothecia and thallus of Caloplaca cerina and Xanthoria candelaria respectively. It is new to Uttarakhand and found growing on apothecial discs of Lecanora species. Material examined – INDIA, Uttarakhand, Almora district, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, on apothecia of Lecanora sp. colonizing bark of Ligustrum nepalense, 16-18 March 2014, G. Bhakuni, s.n. (ALM). Lichenodiplis lichenicola Dyko & D. Hawksw., Lichenologist 11(1): 56 (1979). Pycnidia present, arising singly, dark brown, subglobose, 50–60 µm in diameter. Conidiophores absent, conidiogenous cells hyaline to pale brown, lageniform to subcylindrical, 5– 10 × 2–3 µm. Conidia pale brown, 1 septate, elongate to ellipsoid, 9–12 × 4–5 µm. Known distribution – Alaska (Zhurbenko et al. 1995), British Isles (Coppins & Coppins 1996), Norway (Hawksworth & Dyko 1979), Spain (Calatayud et al. 1995). New to Asia and India. 196 Table 1 Updated checklist of lichenicolous fungi from India along with their host lichens and distribution S. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Lichenicolous fungi Abrothallus peyritschii (Stein) I. Kotte Arthonia diorygmae S. Joshi & Upreti A. molendoi (Heufl. ex Frauenf.) R. Sant. Biatoropsis usnearum Räsänen Carbonea vitellinaria (Nyl.) Hertel Cercidospora macrospora (Uloth) Hafellner & Nav.-Ros. C. melanophthalmae Nav.-Ros., Calat. & Hafellner C. xanthoriae (Wedd.) R. Sant. Cercidospora sp. Cladosporium licheniphilum Heuchert & U. Braun Corticifraga peltigerae (Fuckel) D. Hawksw. & R. Sant. 12. 13. Endococcus incrassatus Etayo & Breuss E. rugulosus (Borrer ex Leight.) Nyl. 14. Homostegia hertelii D. Hawksw., V. Atienza & M.S. Cole 15. 16. H. piggotii (Berk. & Broome) P. Karst. Intralichen christiansenii (D. Hawksw.) D. Hawksw. & M.S. Cole Lichenoconium usneae (Anzi) D. Hawksw. L. xanthoriae M.S. Christ. Lichenodiplis lecanorae (Vouaux) Dyko & D. Hawksw. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. L. lichenicola Dyko & D. Hawksw. Lichenopeltella swaminathaniana Harih., Mibey & D. Hawksw. Lichenostigma alpinum (R. Sant., Alstrup & D. Hawksw.) Ertz & Diederich L. cosmopolites Hafellner & Calat. L. cf. elongatum Nav.-Ros. & Hafellner L. subgen. Lichenogramma sp. Marchandiomyces corallinus (Roberge) Diederich & D. Hawksw. Melaspilea amarkantakensis S. Joseph & G.P. Sinha M. insitiva Stirt. Host Vulpicida pinastri Diorygma junghuhnii Xanthoria elegans Usnea austroindica Candelaria vitellina Lecanora sp. Rhizoplaca melanophthalma Xanthoria elegans Lecanora sp. Xanthoria Candelaria Peltigera elisabethae & ponojensis Endocarpon pusillum Rhizocarpon disporum Aspicilia sp. Flavoparmelia caperata Punctelia rudecta Parmelia sp. Candelariella aurella P. Distribution Himachal Pradesh Tamil Nadu Jammu & Kashmir Tamil Nadu Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Reference(s) Alstrup & Ahti (2007) Joshi et al. (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) This manuscript Awasthi (1991) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) & Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Uttarakhand Zhurbenko (2013) Triebel (1989) Zhurbenko (2013) This manuscript Uttarakhand Jammu & Kashmir Alstrup & Ahti (2007) Zhurbenko (2013) Flavoparmelia caperata Melanelixia subargentifera Caloplaca cerina & Xanthoria candelaria Lecanora sp. Rinodina sp. Porina sp. Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Uttarakhand Uttarakhand Tamil Nadu This manuscript This manuscript Hariharan et al. (1996) Pertusaria albescens Jammu & Kashmir Zhurbenko (2013) Xanthoparmelia stenophylla Lecanora sp. & Lobothallia praeradiosa Seirophora contortuplicata Physcia aipolia & Xanthoria candelaria Pertusaria amarkantakana Pertusaria leioplaca Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Madhya Pradesh West Bengal Joseph & Sinha (unpbl.) Joseph & Sinha (unpbl.) 197 S. No. 29. 30. 31. Lichenicolous fungi Monodictys epilepraria Kukwa & Diederich Muellerella erratica (A. Massal.) Hafellner & Volk. John M. pygmaea (Körb.) D. Hawksw. Host Lepraria sp. Lecidea lapicida & Lecanora sp. Xanthoria elegans & Acarospora sp. Peltigera elisabethae & P. scabrosa Heterodermia leucomelos Distribution Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Reference(s) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) 32. 33. Nectriopsis lecanodes (Ces.) Diederich & Schroers Opegrapha foreaui (Moreau) Hafellner & R. Sant. Jammu & Kashmir Tamil Nadu Xanthoria elegans Parmotrema perforatum Xanthoria elegans Physcia dubia Punctelia borreri Peltigera elisabethae praetextata Punctelia rudecta Lecanora argopholis Candelariella sp. Ochrolechia trochophora Lecanora muralis Jammu & Kashmir Tamil Nadu Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Zhurbenko (2013) Coppins & Kondratyuk (1998) Zhurbenko (2013) Moreau (1951) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. Phoma sp. Phyllosticta galligena Moreau Polycoccum clauzadei Nav.-Ros. & Cl. Roux. P. pulvinatum (Eitner) R. Sant. Pronectria subimperspicua (Speg.) Lowen Pyrenidium actinellum Nyl. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. Rosellinula frustulosae (Vouaux) R. Sant.. Sarcogyne sphaerospora J. Steiner Skyttea fusispora Sherwood, D. Hawksw. & Coppins Sphaeropezia cf. lecanorae (Diederich & G. Marson) Baloch & Wedin Sphinctrina anglica Nyl. Uttarakhand Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Assam Jammu & Kashmir This manuscript Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Sherwood et al. (1981) Zhurbenko (2013) Pertusaria sp. Tamil Nadu & Uttar Pradesh S. tubaeformis A. Massal. Pertusaria sp. Stigmidium gyrophorarum (Arnold) D. Hawksw. S. pumilum (Lettau) Matzer & Hafellner S. tabacinae (Arnold) Triebel Vouauxiella lichenicola (Linds.) Petr. & Syd. Zwackhiomyces coepulonus (Norman) Grube & R. Sant. Z. cf. kiszkianus D. Hawksw. & Miadl. Umbilicaria vellea Phaeophyscia ciliata Toninia tristis Lecanora sp. Xanthoria elegans Peltigera elisabethae Assam, Manipur, Nadu Uttarakhand Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Pant & Awasthi (1989) and Awasthi & Singh (1975) Pant & Awasthi (1989) 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. & P. Tamil This manuscript Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Zhurbenko (2013) Material examined – INDIA, Uttarakhand, Champawat district, Shivalaya temple, on apothecia of Rinodina sp. colonizing rocks, 17 July 2014, K. Chandra, s.n. (ALM). 198 Pyrenidium actinellum Nyl., Flora (Regensburg) 48: 210 (1865). Gall forming fungi on host thalli. Ascomata perithecioid pseudothecia. Ascomata wall entirely brown to dark brown. Paraphysoids filiform, hyaline, septate. Periphyses hyaline, green pigmented at ostiolar region. Asci cylindrical to clavate, 4-8 spored. Ascospores brown with the tips of the end cells often pale brown to subhyaline, ellipsoid to broadly fusiform, 3 septate, rarely 2 or 4, 22.5–25 × 7.5–10 µm. Known distribution – Cosmopolitan (Navarro-Rosinés & Roux 2007). Previously Zhurbenko (2013) reported the species from Jammu & Kashmir, where it was colonizing thallus of Peltigera elisabethae and P. praetextata. It is new to Uttarakhand and found growing on thallus of Punctelia rudecta, thus extending its range distribution as well as host preference. Material examined – INDIA, Uttarakhand, Almora district, Syahi Devi Forest, on thallus of Punctelia rudecta colonizing Quercus tree, 27 July 2014, S. Upadhyay & N. Rana, s.n. (ALM). Sphinctrina tubaeformis A. Massal., Memor. Lich.: 155 (1853). Apothecia immersed in the host thallus. Stalk absent to short. Capitulum spherical, shiny black or dark brown. Asci cylindrical. Ascospores ellipsoid with pointed ends, non septate, (9–)12– 15.5(–20) × 6–8(–9) µm. Known distribution – Europe, Asia, Africa, North and Central America (Tibell 2004). Previously Pant & Awasthi (1989) and Singh (1981) reported the species from Assam, Manipur and Tamil Nadu states of India, where it was colonizing thallus of Pertusaria. It is new to Uttarakhand and found growing on thallus of Pertusaria sp., thus extending its range distribution within India. Material examined – INDIA, Uttarakhand, Almora district, Jhakar Saim Forest, on thallus of Pertusaria colonizing Quercus tree, 06 July 2014, M. Tripathi, K. Chandra & S. Upadhyay, s.n. (ALM); Syahi Devi Forest, on thallus of Pertusaria colonizing Quercus tree, 27 July 2014, S. Upadhyay & N. Rana, s.n. (ALM). Discussion The present study raises the tally of lichenicolous fungi up to 51 in India and opens a new horizon to study this group since there are several possibilities of finding new species and new records of lichenicolous fungi from India, because a lot of work has been conducted on lichens of India, but this group has remained untouched. Besides this, this group need to be explored out extensively for their host preference, since they are generally named after the host lichen on which they colonize, but there are some species that colonizes various lichens. 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