Xanthoparmelia convolutoides
Xanthoparmelia convolutoides is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Native to Western Australia, it grows on acidic rocks in semi-arid woodland environments. The lichen features a leafy thallus with contiguous to weakly overlapping that are tightly attached to its substrate, displaying a distinctive grey upper surface with white spots near the tips, and an ivory to pale brown lower surface. It is chemically characterized by the presence of atranorin and norlobaridone, and is morphologically similar to but distinct from Xanthoparmelia convoluta.
Taxonomy
Xanthoparmelia convolutoides was described as a new species in 2006 by the lichenologist John Elix. The species epithet convolutoides derives from the Greek oides and refers to its similarity to Xanthoparmelia convoluta, yet distinguished by several morphological and chemical traits.Description
The thallus of Xanthoparmelia convolutoides is foliose, very tightly attached to its substrate, flat to weakly convex, and somewhat linear to irregularly shaped. They are irregularly branched, measuring 0.2–0.8 mm in width with incised tips. The upper surface is grey, turns dark with age, is smooth initially but becomes, and is distinctively white near the tips. It lacks soredia and isidia.The medulla is white, and the lower surface is smooth, ranging from ivory to pale brown, darkening at the apices. Rhizines are sparse to moderate,, and the same colour as the thallus.
Chemical spot tests on the yield a K+ reaction; the medulla tests K−, C−, KC−, and P+. Key secondary metabolites include atranorin, norlobaridone, and subnorlobaridone in trace amounts.