Usnea christhinae spec. nov. from South America

A new lichen species, Usnea christhinae, has been identified in the Patagonia Andes within Los Glaciares National Park. Belonging to the subgenus Protousnea, this discovery highlights its close relationship with U. cavernosa. The study, published in Acta Mycologica, focuses on taxonomic classification and morphological characteristics of the species. Researchers analyzed samples from the reserve upon Lake Onelli, employing traditional mycological methods to distinguish Usnea christhinae from related lichen species. This finding contributes to the understanding of lichen biodiversity in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly in the unique ecosystems of Patagonia.

Bystrek, J. (2014). Usnea christhinae spec. nov. from South America. Acta Mycologica, 31(2), 171–174. https://doi.org/10.5586/am.1996.016