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Lendemeriella luteoaurantia B.G. Lee is described as a new lichen species from South Korea. The new species is identified by smaller, yellow-orange apothecia, larger ascospores with wider septum width, and the absence of Cinereorufa-green pigment and teloschistin, different from the closest species, L. aureopruinosa I.V. Frolov, Vondrák, Arup, Konoreva, S. Chesnokov, Yakovczenko and Davydov in morphology and chemistry. Molecular phylogeny employing internal transcribed spacer (nuITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (nuLSU), and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) sequences strongly supports the new species as nonidentical in the genus Lendemeriella. A preliminary key is provided to assist in the identification of all 10 species of Lendemeriella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichens are most dominant elements of Antarctic terrestrial vegetation, however, they are still not well known. In this paper, Lendemerialla vaczii is described as a new lichen species to science from the James Ross Island and Horseshoe Island, Antarctic Peninsula, based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis. The new species is characterized by brownish cream or buff-colored areolate thallus lacking vegetative propagules, black and lecideine apothecia and very thin (up to 1 µm) septa in ascospores. Phylogenetic analysis of nrITS sequence data shows that new species clusters in the genus Lendemeriella with a high bootstrap support. The new species is compared with other Lendemeriella species and other related crustose Teloschistaceae species without anthraquinones and a comprehensive description is provided. An identification key to 10 species of Lendemeriella is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new lichen species Shackletonia backorii Halıcı, Güllü & Kahraman is described from James Ross Island, which is located in the North-East Antarctic Peninsula region. The new species is morphologically most similar to S. insignis (Søchting & Øvstedal) Søchting, Frödén & Arup, which was described from Livingstone Island (North-West Antarctic Peninsula region). These two species have a similar bluish grey to blackish thallus with a microfruticose and coralloid structure and red brown or almost black zeorine apothecia, but S. backorii has rhomboid ascospores and grows on soil whereas S. insignis has ellipsoid ascospores and occurs in sheltered crevices of rocks. The nrITS and mtSSU gene regions of the new species are studied and the phylogenetic position of the species is in the genus Shackletonia within the subfamily Xanthorioideae and it is clearly separated from the other species of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The robust monophyletic branch having the highest level of bootstrap support in the phylogenetic tree of the Teloschistaceae, based on combined dataset of nrITS, 28S nrLSU DNA, and mtSSU sequences, which does not belong to any other earlier proposed genera of the subfamily Teloschistoideae, is described as new genus. The genus Iqbalia is characterized and differs from the closely related genus Nevilleilla by having discrete and compact/aggregated, rather not scattered areoles, without schizidia-like formations, a wide septum in ascospores when mounted in water and in having different chemistry (in having variolaric acid). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new generic name, Wilketalia S.Y.Kondr. (nom. nov.; Teloschistaceae, lichenized Ascomycota), is published to replace the name Andina Wilk, Pabijan & Lücking (nom. illeg.), which is an illegitimate later homonym of Andina J.A.Jiménez & M.J.Cano (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) and Andinia (Luer) Luer (Orchidaceae). A new species-rank combination Wilketalia citrinoides (Wilk & Lücking) S.Y.Kondr. (Andina citrinoides ilk & Lücking) is also validated. Brief nomenclatural comments are provided.

Lendemeriella luteoaurantia B.G. Lee is described as a new lichen species from South Korea. The new species is identified by smaller, yellow-orange apothecia, larger ascospores with wider septum width, and the absence of Cinereorufa-green pigment and teloschistin, different from the closest species, L. aureopruinosa I.V. Frolov, Vondrák, Arup, Konoreva, S. Chesnokov, Yakovczenko and Davydov in morphology and chemistry. Molecular phylogeny employing internal transcribed spacer (nuITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (nuLSU), and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) sequences strongly supports the new species as nonidentical in the genus Lendemeriella. A preliminary key is provided to assist in the identification of all 10 species of Lendemeriella.

Molecular analyses of the recently described Xanthoria polessica collected from the type locality and of the Australian species X. coomae were used to determine whether these taxa are distinct species or fall within the wide phenotypic variation of the well-known and cosmopolitan X. parietina . Our results clearly indicate that both taxa should be considered as synonyms of X. parietina since the infraspecific morphological range is accommodated by the observed variation in the thallus and lobe size, their color, position of apothecia, the shape of ascospores, and width of ascospore septum.

La autora describe las especies de Xanthoria y Teloschistes recolectadas en Tucumán (Argentina).

Pyrenodesmia rugosa Lee & Hur and Huriella aeruginosa Lee & Hur are described as new lichen-forming fungi from a calcareous mountain of South Korea. Pyrenodesmia rugosa is distinguishable from Pyrenodesmia micromontana (Frolov, Wilk & Vondrák) Hafellner & Türk, the most similar species, by thicker thallus, rugose areoles, larger apothecia, shorter hymenium, shorter hypothecium and narrower tip cells of paraphyses. Huriella aeruginosa, the second new species, differs from 'Squamulea' chelonia Bungartz & Søchting by dark greenish-grey to grey thallus without pruina, gold to yellow-brown epihymenium, larger ascospores and thallus K- and KC-reaction. Molecular analyses employing internal transcribed spacer (ITS), mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU) sequences strongly support the two caloplacoid species to be distinct in their genera. A surrogate key is provided to assist in the identification of all 20 taxa in Huriella and Squamulea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two lichen species, Variospora kudratovii and Zeroviella laxa, and a lichenicolous species, Polycoccum clauderouxii are reported for the first time from Pakistan and represent first generic records as well. Detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions and spot test results are provided along with ITS-based molecular phylogenetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most lichens of the family Teloschistaceae (Ascomycota) produce yellow‐orange‐red anthraquinone pigments. However, the genus Pyrenodesmia encompasses species in which anthraquinones are absent and replaced by a gray pigment Sedifolia‐gray. It was shown recently that these species are related to taxa with both anthraquinones and Sedifolia‐gray (Caloplaca xerica group, C. haematites group, and C. cretensis) and to species with a brown pigment instead of both anthraquinones and Sedifolia‐gray (C. demissa, C. obscurella, and C. reptans). Nevertheless, relationships between mentioned anthraquinone‐containing and anthraquinone‐lacking species remained unclear. In total, 8 DNA loci from 41 species were used here to resolve these uncertainties. We concluded that C. demissa, C. obscurella, and C. reptans are rather distant from the core of Pyrenodesmia, and we place them outside of Pyrenodesmia sensu lato. Within Pyrenodesmia sensu lato, three lineages were revealed and recognized on a generic level: the genus Pyrenodesmia sensu stricto (21 species), the genus Kuettlingeria (14 species), which is resurrected here, and the genus Sanguineodiscus (4 species), which is newly described here. The genus Pyrenodesmia includes taxa that never contain anthraquinones, but Sedifolia‐gray. It matches with the former C. variabilis group. Taxa of the genera Kuettlingeria and Sanguineodiscus have anthraquinones in their apothecia and Sedifolia‐gray in their thalli. The genus Kuettlingeria includes the former C. xerica group plus C. cretensis and C. diphyodes. The genus Sanguineodiscus includes the former C. haematites group and C. bicolor. The identity of Kuettlingeria (Caloplaca) diphyodes was clarified and the name Pyrenodesmia helygeoides was resurrected. Twenty‐four new combinations were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calogaya schistidii (syn. Caloplaca schistidii, Fulgensia schistidii) looks much like a Caloplaca growing on bryophytes over calcareous rock in arctic and alpine habitats but has unusual, 2-celled, non-polarilocular spores, slightly constricted at the middle. This is the first report of the species for North America. The material from British Columbia is described and illustrated, and comments are made on its classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lichen family Teloschistaceae from the Galapagos is revised. Most of the species belong to the Caloplacoideae, two to Teloschistoideae and a few to Xanthorioideae, three subfamilies not validly published, which is remedied here. Four different datasets were analyzed using Bayesian inference. For the bulk of the species, a combined dataset of nrITS, nrLSU and mrSSU was analyzed. Additionally, three analyses were performed using nrITS to further investigate phylogenetic relationships within and between species in each subfamily, and in the genera Xanthomendoza and Squamulea. Four new genera are described: Lacrima, Oceanoplaca, Phaeoplaca, Sucioplaca. Twenty-four species are reported, of which ten are new to science: Caloplaca nigra, Lacrima galapagoensis, Oceanoplaca chemoisidiosa, O. sideritoides, Phaeoplaca tortuca, Squamulea chelonia, S. humboldtiana, S. osseophila, S. oceanica, and Xanthomendoza leoncita. Several new combinations are proposed and three species of Xanthomendoza are reduced to synonymy. Several new combinations and species placed into synonymy do not occur in the Galapagos, but are treated as a consequence of our taxonomic revision. Morphology, anatomy, secondary chemistry, distribution and molecular phylogenetic affiliation are presented for each species and a key is provided. Eight different chemical patterns are quantitatively described based on HPLC analyses. The new genus Lacrima includes L. galapagoensis, a species without vegetative propagules, and two densely isidiate species, L. epiphora and L. aphanotripta that are morphologically similar to 'Caloplaca' wrightii. The only species of Galapagos Teloschistaceae that contains xanthones is placed into Huneckia. Oceanoplaca includes two species with the new anthraquinone isidiosin, O. isidiosa and O. chemoisidiosa, while a third species, O. sideritoides, does not contain this secondary metabolite. Phaeoplaca camptidia has previously been reported from Galapagos, but our phylogenetic analysis suggests that it is a new species, here named P. tortuca. An isolated position is occupied by 'Caloplaca' diplacia, which we place in it its own monotypic genus Sucioplaca. Some Galapagos Teloschistaceae can be considered a 'residue' of unresolved Caloplaca s.l., i.e. the corticolous C. floridana is possibly related to the saxicolous C. nigra, while C. cupulifera can currently not be placed. Squamulea remains particularly problematic and includes S. phyllidizans, that is nested among otherwise unresolved Squamulea species. Based on molecular data, S. phyllidizans is close to 'Huriella'. 'Huriella' flakusii, described from Peru, is confirmed to occur in the Galapagos and the genus is reduced to synonymy with Squamulea. The Squamulea squamosa/subsoluta group remains largely unresolved, but the new species S. chelonia, S. humboldtiana, S. oceanica, and S. osseophila are phylogenetically distinct. Foliose Teloschistaceae are represented only by one species, described as Xanthomendoza leoncita, while the only fruticose species, Teloschistes chrysophthalmus and T. flavicans, are cosmopolitan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular analyses of the recently described Xanthoria polessica collected from the type locality and of the Australian species X. coomae were used to determine whether these taxa are distinct species or fall within the wide phenotypic variation of the wellknown and cosmopolitan X. parietina. Our results clearly indicate that both taxa should be considered as synonyms of X. parietina since the infraspecific morphological range is accommodated by the observed variation in the thallus and lobe size, their color, position of apothecia, the shape of ascospores, and width of ascospore septum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orientophila corticola is described as a new lichen-forming fungus from South Korea. The new species is distinguishable from other Orientophila species by the substrate preference to tree barks and the habitat specificity to inland areas. Molecular analyses applying internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) sequences clearly classify O. corticola as a distinct species in the genus Orientophila. A surrogate key is provided to assist in the identification of all 13 taxa in the genus Orientophila. • A new lichen-forming fungus, Orientophila corticola , is discovered from South Korea. • A new species is unique and the only corticolous, inland species in Orientophila. • A concatenation employing multi-loci classifies the new species into Orientophila. • A taxonomy key is produced for identification of all Orientophila species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary metabolites are the bioactive compounds of plants which are synthesized during primary metabolism, have no role in the development process but are needed for defense and other special purposes. These secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids, anthraquinones and carotenoids, are found in Xanthoria genus lichens. These lichens are known as lichenized fungi in the family Teloschistaceae, which grows on rock and produce bioactive compounds. A lot of secondary compounds in plants are induced by UV (100-400 nm) spectra. The present review showcases the present identified bioactive compounds in Xanthoria elegans and Xanthoria parietina lichens, which are stimulated by different amounts of UV-B light (280-320 nm), as well as the biochemistry of the UV-B absorbing compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blastenia is a widely distributed lichen genus in Teloschistaceae. We reconstructed its phylogeny in order to test species delimitation and to find evolutionary drivers forming recent Blastenia diversity. The origin of Blastenia is dated to the early Tertiary period, but later diversification events are distinctly younger. We recognized 24 species (plus 2 subspecies) within 6 infrageneric groups. Each species strongly prefers a single type of substrate (17 species occur on organic substrates, 7 on siliceous rock), and most infrageneric groups also show a clear substrate preference. All infrageneric groups tend to have the Mediterranean and Macaronesian distribution, but some epiphytic species have much larger geographic ranges and some evolved after a long‐distance dispersal outside the region. Chlorinated and nonchlorinated anthraquinone chemosyndromes co‐occur in apothecia of most species, but the chemotype has been secondarily reduced in some lineages. One infrageneric group has a marked reduction in apothecial size, associated with a substrate shift to twigs. Only seven species have vegetative diaspores; they also produce apothecia but have smaller ascospores. Genome sizes (22‐35 Mb in Blastenia) are significantly higher in epilithic species. Within‐species genetic variation is low in widely distributed species but high in some epilithic species with small geographical ranges. New taxa are: B. afroalpina, B. anatolica, B. caucasica, B. gennargentuae, B. herbidella subsp. acidophila, B. lauri, B. monticola, B. palmae, B. psychrophila, B. purpurea, B. relicta, B. remota, B. xerothermica, and B. xerothermica subsp. macaronesica. New combinations are: B. festivella and B. subathallina; both names and B. catalinae are lectotypified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification is the most important approach to cataloging biological diversity. It serves as a principal means of communication between scientific disciplines, as well as between scientists on one hand and lawmakers and the public on the other. Up to the present, classification of plants, fungi, and animals follows the fundamental principles laid out more than 250 years ago by Linnaeus, with less changes in the formalistic approach although with somewhat diverging rules for plants and fungi on one hand and animals on the other. Linnean classifications obey two fundamental rules, the binomial as basic format for species names, including a genus-level name and a specific epithet, and rank-based higher classifications, with the main ranks encompassing genus, family, order, class, phylum (division), and kingdom. Given that molecular phylogenies have reshaped our understanding of natural relationships between organisms, and following the cladistic principle of monophyly which defines groups but not ranks, it has been repeatedly argued that rank assignments are artificial and subjective, with the suggestion to either abandon rank-based classifications altogether or apply more objective criteria to determine ranks. The most fundamental of such approaches has been the correlation of rank with geological (evolutionary) age, first established by Hennig in the middle of the past century and around the turn of the millenium formalized as "temporal banding," based on the advent of the molecular clock. While initially the temporal banding approach received less attention, in the past ten years several major studies mostly in vertebrates (birds, mammals) and fungi (chiefly lichenized lineages) have proposed novel classifications based on a strict temporal banding approach, partly with highly disruptive results. In this paper, the temporal banding approach is critically revised, pointing out strengths and flaws, and "best practice" recommendations are given how to employ this technique properly and with care to improve existing classifications while avoiding unnecessary disruptions. A main conclusion is that taxa recognized at the same rank do not have to be comparable in age, diversity, or disparity, or any other single criterion, but their ranking should follow integrative principles that best reflect their individual evolutionary history. In a critical appraisal of changes to the classification of Lecanoromycetes (lichenized Fungi) proposed based on temporal banding, the following amendments are accepted: Ostropales split into Graphidales, Gyalectales, Ostropales s.str., and Thelenellales; Arctomiales, Hymeneliales, and Trapeliales subsumed under Baeomycetales; Letrouitiaceae subsumed under Brigantiaeaceae; Lobariaceae and Nephromataceae subsumed under Peltigeraceae; Miltideaceae subsumed under Agyriaceae, and Protoparmeloideae and Austromelanelixia as new subfamily and genus within Parmeliaceae. The following changes are not accepted: Rhizocarpales split into Rhizocarpales s.str. and Sporastatiales (no information gain); Sarrameanales split into Sarrameanales s.str. and Schaereriales (no information gain); Carbonicolaceae subsumed under Lecanoraceae (topological conflict); Graphidaceae split into Diploschistaceae, Fissurinaceae, Graphidaceae s.str., Thelotremataceae (no information gain, topological conflict); Ochrolechiaceae split into Ochrolechiaceae s.str., Varicellariaceae, and Variolariaceae (no information gain, nomenclaturally incorrect); Porinaceae replaced by Trichotheliaceae (nomenclaturally incorrect); Ramalinaceae split into Biatoraceae and Ramalinaceae s.str. (no information gain, topological conflict); Stereocaulaceae subsumed under Cladoniaceae (nomenclaturally incorrect); Thrombiaceae subsumed under Protothelenellaceae (topological conflict); and all proposed genus level synonymies in Parmeliaceae. New fungal taxa: The new order Odontotrematales Lücking ordo nov. is established for the family Odontotremataceae s.str., based on topological grounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the occupational achievement of Ukrainian lichenologist Sergij Y. Kondratyuk who will celebrate its 60th birthday on May 17, 2019. Topics discussed include Sergij's interest in biology, Sergij's international career, the study of lichen family Teloschistaceae by Sergij together with author Ingvar Kärnefelt, and the description of lichens families such as Lecanoraceae, Physciaceae, and Ramalinaceae by Sergij.

Specimens of the lichen genus Caloplaca have been collected right across Banks and eastern Bass Straits, from the Hogans Group by the Victoria/Tasmania border, down to Swan Island just off the north-eastern corner of the Tasmanian mainland. Three hundred and thirty-three of the 432 collections, from 52 islands and reefs, have been determined. They include 45 species. Five taxa were described using local specimens as the holotypes. A table of the species and islands is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new genera in the subfamily Teloschistoideae (Teloschistaceae, Teloschistales) are described: Hosseusiella S. Y. Kondr., L. Lőkös et A. Thell for the Caloplaca chilensis group including three South American species and Rehmanniella S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur for the new species, R. wirthii S. Y. Kondr. from South Africa. The new genera are supported by a three-gene phylogeny based on ITS1/ITS2 nrDNA, 28S nrLSU, and 12S mtSSU sequences. The new taxonomic position of Elixjohnia ovis-atra in the subfamily Teloschistoideae is discussed. The two new species Hosseusiella gallowayiana and Rehmanniella wirthii are described, illustrated and compared with closely related taxa. Hosseusiella gallowayiana is recorded for the first time as the host for the lichenicolous fungus Arthonia tetraspora S. Y. Kondr. A key to the species of Hosseusiella is included, as well as new information of the related genus Follmannia. The following new combinations are proposed: Hosseusiella chilensis (Kärnefelt, S. Y. Kondr., Frödén et Arup) S. Y. Kondr., L. Lőkös, Kärnefelt et A. Thell, Hosseusiella pergracilis (Zahlbr.) S. Y. Kondr., L. Lőkös, Kärnefelt et A. Thell and Elixjohnia ovis-atra (Søchting, Søgaard et Sancho) S. Y. Kondr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caloplaca monacensis (Leder.) Lettau is reported as a new lichen species for Poland. It is an old species of the Caloplaca cerina group, forgotten for decades and resurrected most recently. This epiphytic species is characteristic for open habitats such as roadside trees. The new records are from northern (Pojezierze Olsztyńskie lakeland) and southern (Carpathians) Poland. Brief taxonomic remarks and data on habitat preferences and the known distribution are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three species of crustose Teloschistaceae were collected from the northwest of the Murmansk region of Russia during field trips in 2013 and 2015. Blastenia scabrosa is a new combination supported by molecular data. Blastenia scabrosa, Caloplaca fuscorufa and Flavoplaca havaasii are new to Russia. Blastenia scabrosa is also new to the Caucasus Mts and Sweden. Detailed morphological measurements of the Russian specimens of these species are provided. Caloplaca exsecuta, C. grimmiae and C. sorocarpa are new to the Murmansk region. The taxonomic position of C. alcarum is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe three new, seemingly-cryptic species in the lichen genus Caloplaca (Teloschistaceae) with black apothecia. Those species, separated in nrITS and β-tubulin DNA phylogenies, appeared to be phenotypically indistinguishable. We looked for their phenotypic differences using a two-phase method comprised of a preliminary examination in which diagnostic value of all available characters was evaluated using a small number of samples and potentially-diagnostic characters were selected, and a subsequent detailed study in which characters selected in the first phase were tested using more samples. We found 19 diagnostic characters (continuous and discrete) of which four continuous and three discrete characters could be considered 'fully diagnostic', i.e. allowing for correct identification of at least one species. Hence, the three species are not cryptic, but can be distinguished phenotypically. Here, they are formally described as Caloplaca micromarina Frolov, Khodos. & Vondrák sp. nova, C. micromontana Frolov, Wilk & Vondrák sp. nova and C. microstepposa Frolov, Nadyeina, Khodos. & Vondrák sp. nova. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular analyses of ITS nrDNA, using 42 new and 56 GenBank sequences, revealed 12 supported lineages of Athallia consistent with phenotype data. We regard these lineages as species. Eight of them were previously recognized as species in Athallia, and here we make three new combinations: A. baltistanica, A. brachyspora, and A. necator. Eight of these species have been recorded in Turkey; of them, A. baltistanica and A. saxifragarum are new to the country. The former is also new to Greece. Athallia baltistanica is recorded for the first time outside the Karakoram Mountains (N Pakistan). We propose a broader species concept for A. holocarpa, and we include A. vitellinula and Caloplaca alcarum within it. (The name Caloplaca alcarum has also been used incorrectly in the past for morphs of A. scopularis with reduced lobes.) Athallia nesodes includes two traditionally recognized taxa: Caloplaca inconnexa var. nesodes and Caloplaca inconnexa auct., non (Nyl.) Zahlbr. Our observations of type specimens show Caloplaca necator to be distinct from A. nesodes. We consider Athallia saxifragarum and Caloplaca schoeferi to be conspecific. The position of "Caloplaca" raesaenenii is ambiguous based on ITS data, being placed within or outside Athallia depending on the type of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current view of the geographical ranges of lichens is often distorted by overly narrow or overly broad applications of names and by insufficient survey of most regions of the world. Here we present several cases where species of Teloschistaceae formerly thought to be limited to rather small territories in the western or eastern parts of Eurasia are in fact widespread in northern Eurasia. We support our findings with ITS nrDNA data in several new trees showing relationships in the genera Athallia, Calogaya, Caloplaca, Flavoplaca and Gyalolechia. The widespread species have little in common, except that most of them reproduce both sexually and asexually, and we discuss the possible influence of the combined reproduction on geographical range. Calogaya bryochrysion, Calogaya saxicola, Gyalolechia epiphyta and Gyalolechia ussuriensis are new combinations. Calogaya alaskensis is a younger synonym for C. bryochrysion. The generally arctic-alpine Calogaya bryochrysion also occurs on the bark of solitary trees in dry parts of the Altai Mountains. The Australian Flavoplaca cranfieldii is a younger synonym of F. flavocitrina. Gyalolechia epiphyta has been described numerous times, from different regions and substrata, as Caloplaca juniperi, C. laricina, C. tarani, Gyalolechia arizonica and G. juniperina. The name Gyalolechia xanthostigmoidea has recently been used for G. epiphyta, but it represents a distinct taxon. Gyalolechia ussuriensis is closely related to and morphologically indistinguishable from G. persimilis, but they have a different ecology and distribution and we regard them as distinct species. Caloplaca juniperina Tomin is lectotypified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gneiss inselbergs in the Caatinga region of Ceará in equatorial Brazil are literally covered with a wide diversity of caloplacoid lichens. This includes two closely related new saxicolous species of Caloplaca, both with the aspect of a Lecanora of the subfusca-aggregate: C. lecanorocarpa has a grey areolate bullate thallus with atranorin on a black prothallus, grey thalline apothecium margin, sessile apothecia with glossy dark brown disc, and ascospores of 10-12×5·0-5·5 μm, with a 5·0-5·5 μm thick septum; and the similar, related C. lecapustulata which mainly differs by the rimose thallus with irregular mushroom-shaped pustules. The phylogenetic position of the two new species has been assessed to be within the Caloplacoideae. A key to all tropical lecanoroid Caloplaca species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]