Pyrenula largei

Pyrenula largei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Eurotiomycetes
Order: Pyrenulales
Family: Pyrenulaceae
Genus: Pyrenula
Species:
P. largei
Binomial name
Pyrenula largei
A.J. Marshall, de Lange, Blanchon & Aptroot

Pyrenula largei is a species of lichen in the family Pyrenulaceae.[1] It was first described in 2025 by Andrew J. Marshall, Peter de Lange, Dan Blanchon and André Aptroot. The species is endemic to New Zealand, found in both the North Island and the South Island.

Description

The species is corticolous, possesing a crustose thallus with no pseudocyphellae, and is grey-brown to umber in colour. It can be distinguished from other members of Pyrenula by its10−18-transversely septate ascospores, which measure between 70 μm (0.0028 in) by 10 μm (0.00039 in) and 100 μm (0.0039 in) by 15 μm (0.00059 in), as well as ascomata which measure up to 3 mm (0.12 in) in diameter.[2]

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Andrew J. Marshall, Peter de Lange, Dan Blanchon and André Aptroot in 2025.[2] P. largei was named after New Zealand botanist Mark F. Large.[2] The holotype is held by the Unitec Institute of Technology herbarium.[3]

Ecology

Pyrenula largei inhabits a range of environments depending on its location. In the Far North District, the lichen grows exclusively on the bark of tānekaha trees in kauri-dominated forests. On Little Barrier Island, however, it has been found in colonies of various Pyrenula species growing on Myrsine within kānuka-dominated forest.[2]

Distribution

The species is endemic to New Zealand,[4] occurring between Te Paki in the Far North District to Secretary Island in Fiordland.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Pyrenula largei A.J Marshall, de Lange, Blanchon & Aptroot, in Marshall, Blanchon, Aptroot & de Lange, Ukrain. Bot. J. 82(5): 443 (2025)". Species Fungorum. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e Marshall, Andrew J.; Blanchon, Dan J.; Aptroot, André; de Lange, Peter J. (2025). "Four new species of Aotearoa | New Zealand Pyrenula (Pyrenulaceae) segregated from P. moniliformis". Ukrainian Botanical Journal. 82 (5): 435–452. doi:10.15407/UKRBOTJ82.05.435. ISSN 0372-4123. Wikidata Q138010387.
  3. ^ "Pyrenula largei". MycoBank. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Pyrenula largei A.J. Marshall, de Lange, Blanchon & Aptroot". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 5 February 2026.