Three newStirtoniafrom Everglades National Park with a key to neotropical species

Researchers have discovered three new species of lichen, Stirtonia byssoidea, S. coei, and S. latispora, within the coastal hammocks of Everglades National Park. These findings expand the known biodiversity of the region and contribute to the understanding of Neotropical lichen diversity. The study employed morphological and chemical analyses to distinguish these species from existing ones, noting unique characteristics such as thallus type, ascospore size, and absence or presence of specific substances like perlatolic acid. A key identifying feature is the distinct ascigerous zones and ascospore morphology, which differentiate them from closely related species like Stirtonia alba and S. curvata. Additionally, a key to six Neotropical Stirtonia species was provided, aiding future taxonomic studies in this group.

SEAVEY, F., & SEAVEY, J. (2015). Three newStirtoniafrom Everglades National Park with a key to neotropical species. The Lichenologist, 47(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0024282914000462