A new species of Sagiolechia (Sagiolechiaceae) from Norway, with lirelliform ascomata and 1-septate ascospores

Abstract

The new species Sagiolechia monoseptata is described from the northern boreal zone of Norway where it was found on a shaded siliceous rock under a boulder in a north-facing, small, steep scree. It is characterized by the pale greyish-green thallus, black, lirelliform ascomata, and 1-septate ascospores of (11–) 12–16 × (4–) 5–6 (– 7) µm, all features unique within the genus. Despite the unusual combination of morphological characters, phylogenetic analyses using nuLSU, mtSSU and RPB2 sequences place the new lichen in the genus Sagiolechia with full support.