Cladonia megafurcata
Cladonia megafurcata is a species of fruticose lichen in the family Cladoniaceae. It was discovered in the ecosystem of campos rupestres in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This habitat, found at elevations of, is characterised by grassy areas interspersed with rocks and rocky outcrops.
Taxonomy
André Aptroot identified Cladonia megafurcata in 2022, distinguishing it from its close relative, Cladonia furcata, by its larger size and distinctive branching patterns. The species name megafurcata emphasises its large size and the wide-open axils of its branches, which are characteristic features of this species.This species represents a notable deviation from the morphological variation typically observed in Cladonia furcata across Europe, showing wider basal branches and open, stellate axils. According to the author, its description challenges the previously held belief that C. furcata is almost cosmopolitan, and suggests a need for further phylogenetic and morphological studies to clarify the classification and distribution of Cladonia species globally.
Description
The thallus of Cladonia megafurcata is fruticose, with branches reaching up to in height. These branches have a basal width of 1–2 mm, expanding up to 3 mm at major branching points. The tips of the branches taper, are hollow, and have a pale greenish-grey colour mottled with pale greenish-brown, darkening to brown at the tips., small scale-like structures, are present mainly on the lower half of the thallus. These squamules are firm, minimally dissected, and have a pale greenish-gray upper surface with a white underside.
Chemical tests on the thallus reveal no UV light reaction and a positive red reaction to the P test, indicating the presence of fumarprotocetraric acid, a secondary metabolite common in some Cladonia species.