Fellhanera Ochracea, a New Corticolous Lichen Species From Sheltered Habitats in Western Europe

Abstract

Fellhanera ochracea Sparrius & Aptroot is described from material found in sheltered habitats in Great Britain, Switzerland and The Netherlands, where it grows on acidic and neutral bark of, for example Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Ulmus, Quercus, Acer, Hedera and Sambucus. The species is close to Fellhanera subtilis and Fellhaneropsis myrtillicola, but distinguished by the abundant tiny, pale or orange-brown pigmented frequently discolouring to bluish green conidiomata with paler centrum, containing small, pyriform conidia, and by the 3-septate ascospores and the absence of lichen products in the thallus. A key to Fellhanera and Fellhaneropsis species known from western Europe is provided.