Micarea termitophila
Micarea termitophila is a species of lichen in the family Physciaceae. It grows on the soil of termite nests in Brazil.
Taxonomy
The lichen Micarea termitophila was formally described by the lichenologists André Aptroot and Marcela Cáceres in 2014. The holotype, collected from a black termite nest in Amazonas, Brazil, is preserved at the ISE herbarium, with an isotype at ABL.Description
The thallus of Micarea termitophila is and with a greenish hue, approximately 50 mm thick, and has a dull and roughened surface texture. The thallus houses algae, about 2–4 mm in diameter, beneath a thin, hyaline cortex.The authors note that it somewhat resembles a crustose Stereocaulon in thallus form.Apothecia are, emerging between the thallus and often becoming prominent, measuring 0.2–0.3 mm in diameter. They are typically round or, featuring a convex, dull, black. The hymenium is clear, ranging from 30 to 50 μm in height and turns violet when treated with potassium hydroxide solution, especially noticeable in the upper parts. The is purplish-brown, turning orange-brown with KOH. This species produces 8-spored asci and, aseptate, hyaline ascospores measuring 7–9 by 3.0–3.5 μm. Pycnidia are found on the same thallus, often grouped separately, with black, conidia measuring about 4–5 by 1 μm.
Chemical tests on the thallus, including UV light and various spot tests, are negative, and no lichen products have been detected with thin-layer chromatography.