Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 January 2013
Pannaria minutiphylla Elvebakk and P. pulverulacea Elvebakk are described here as new to science. Both species belong to the panaustral P. sphinctrina (Mont.) Tuck. ex Hue complex. Their spores, however, are more long-ellipsoid and much less verrucose than those of P. sphinctrina itself, and the species are therefore not considered to be phyllidiate and sorediate counterparts, respectively, of the latter. Pannaria minutiphylla disperses with phyllidia, which are distinctly smaller and not as erect as those of a similar Australian species, P. phyllidiata Elvebakk. Pannaria pulverulacea has the smallest vegetative propagules within this species group. They are referred to as soredia here, although they are partly corticated. This species also has the widest distribution, including wet forests of southern South America, south-eastern Australia, and from Northland to Campbell Island in New Zealand. Pannaria minutiphylla has the same distribution and often grows together with P. pulverulacea, except in southern South America, where some related material has still not been sufficiently studied. Both species are very common within their distribution areas, and previously have mostly been identified as P. microphyllizans. The latter is, however, a very different species, which instead will be studied in comparison with P. athroophylla (Stirt.) Elvebakk & D. J. Galloway.