New or Interesting Parmeliella species from the andes and central America

Abstract

The Parmeliella nigrocincta complex in the northern Andean region is discussed. The commonest species, P. miradorensis Vain. (syn. nov. P. nigrocincta var. brasiliensis Malme) is a foliose-squamulose taxon of the Andean mist forests, with a fairly wide distribution. It also reaches the West Indies and Macaronesia. In addition, there is a thick, small-squamulose species with round spores, P. incrassate sp. nov., in the northen Andes. This species occurs at the forest limit, on Polylepis at higher altitudes (to 4500 m) in the same region. Parmeliella nigrocincta s.str. does not appear to occur this far north, and appears to be restricted to more southern parts, mainly in Chile. There is a further species on rocks in the northern Andes, P. saxicola sp. nov., which is closely related to the cold-temperate P. triptophylla. An isidiate species, P. clavulifera sp. nov., is described from Mexico. It is somewhat reminiscent of P. miradorensis, but belongs in the P. pannosa complex. Lectotypes for P. miradorensis Vain, and P. nigrocincta var brasiliensis Malme have been selected.