Coenogonium coppinsii
Coenogonium coppinsii is a species of lichen in the family Coenogoniaceae. that primarily inhabits the soil of termite nests within Brazilian rainforests. Described in 2014, it is distinctive for its unusual ecological niche and morphological features.
Taxonomy
The species was first described by the lichenologists André Aptroot and Marcela Cáceres in 2014, with the type specimen collected from the Amazonas region of Brazil. The holotype is preserved at the ISE herbarium, with isotypes held at ABL.Coenogonium coppinsii is unique within its genus, particularly for its habitat on the ground, unlike its congener which are typically found on tree bark or leaves. Its morphological traits, such as the slender, elongated ascospores and small, cup-like apothecia, set it apart from other Coenogonium species. This species could be confused with Coenogonium lisowskii due to similar habitat and spore characteristics, but it differs significantly in the colour and openness of the apothecia.
Description
The thallus of Coenogonium coppinsii is very thin, smooth, and patchily shiny, having a continuous green appearance without a. It hosts algae, which are typically 5–10 μm in diameter. The apothecia of this lichen are and cupuliform, ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 mm in diameter, with a slightly to deeply concave structure. The discs are pale fuscous brown, with margins that may appear the same colour or paler, giving the apothecia a waxy appearance.The hymenium is clear, about 70–85 μm high, with paraphyses that are club-shaped.