Graphis leptoclada
Draft
Thallus off-white to pale fawn, thin, surface smooth and dull; lirellae numerous, striate, semi-immersed to sessile, with a negligible thalline margin, straight, curved or sinuous, sometimes branched, 1–3 (–4) mm long, 0.2–0.3 mm wide; true exciple only laterally carbonised; ascospores 40–55 × 9–11 µm, 9- to 13-septate. No lichen substances detected by TLC.
A pantropical species but recently reported from Portugal. Similar to Graphis scripta s. lat. in chemical reaction (i.e. K–), but ascomata are striate, with a lateral thallus margin. Potentially overlooked for G. scripta s. lat., or for apparently young specimens of G. elegans.
Recently found on bark of a tree in the oceanic west Highlands.
Recently recorded in Westerness (VC97); should be looked out for in oceanic woods.
Status unknown, but potentailly threatened, so best treated as Data Deficient
Aptroot, A., Weerakoon, G., Cannon, P., Coppins, B., Sanderson, N. & Simkin, J. (2023). Ostropales: Graphidaceae, including the genera Allographa, Clandestinotrema, Crutarndina, Diploschistes, Fissurina, Graphis, Leucodecton, Phaeographis, Schizotrema, Thelotrema and Topeliopsis. Revisions of British and Irish Lichens 36: 1-23.
Text by Neil A Sanderson based on Aptroot et al (2023)