Eschatogonia triptophyllina
Eschatogonia triptophyllina is a rare species of lichen in the family Ramalinaceae. It was first described in 1863 by the Finnish lichenologist William Nylander as Lecidea triptophyllina and was transferred to the genus Eschatogonia by Klaus Kalb in 2004. The species is distinguished by its tiny, intricately scalloped, reddish-brown apothecia, and complete absence of detectable lichen products, and is known from only a single collection with an uncertain tropical location.
Taxonomy
It was first described as a new species in 1863 by the Finnish lichenologist William Nylander, who classified it in the genus Lecidea. After having been proposed for placement in the genera Thalloidima and Psorella in its taxonomic history, Klaus Kalb transferred the species to Eschatogonia in 2004. It is one of the three "classical" species that were recognised in the genus before Amazonian work added several new taxa. Einar Timdal's revision notes that the species lacks all detectable lichen products and develops reddish-brown apothecia, a chemical–morphological signature that immediately separates it from the chemically variable E. dissecta and the zeorin- or didymic acid-bearing E. prolifera. The lectotype held in Helsinki is, as of 2008, the only unequivocal collection that can be referred to this taxon.Description
The thallus of Eschatogonia triptophyllina is composed of tiny, scale-like with that are extremely short and intricately or shallowly cut, imparting a delicate, frilled appearance that remains evident even through a hand lens. While still closely attached to the bark when young, the lobes tend to lift slightly as they mature, creating a subtle three-dimensional texture. Unlike most others in the genus, no crystals or colour-forming acids can be demonstrated in the medulla using thin-layer chromatography or standard chemical spot tests, and the remains green throughout.Fruiting bodies are reddish brown and convex; detailed spore measurements remain uncertain. The protologue reported spores 23–32 μm long, whereas T. D. V. Swinscow and Hildur Krog later gave a range of 40–55 μm; Timdal could not find mature spores in the lectotype to resolve the discrepancy. No asexual propagules have been observed in this species.