Perspectives in Biodiversity | 2026 | Volume 4 | pp xx–xx
Research Paper – ACCEPTED
Astrothelium Eschw. (Trypetheliaceae) in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Peter J. de Lange1, *, Andrew J. Marshal1, André Aptroot2, Dan J. Blanchon3
Affiliation:
1 Applied Molecular Solutions Research Centre, School of Environmental and Animal Sciences, Unitec, Private Bag 92025, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142, Aotearoa / New Zealand.
2 Laboratório de Botânica / Liquenologia, Instituto de Biociências, Bairro, Universitário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
3 Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Private Bag 92018, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand.
* Corresponding author: pdelange@unitec.ac.nz
Received: 25 August 2025 | Accepted: 1 November 2025 | Published: xx
Associate Editor: Lilith Fisher
https://doi.org/10.34074/pibdiv.004101
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Abstract
The presence of Astrothelium nigratum (Müll.Arg.) Aptroot & Lücking (Trypetheliaceae) in the lichenised mycobiota of Aotearoa / New Zealand is documented. Furthermore, the lichen described as Trypethelium bicolor var. pyrenuloides C.Knight in 1884 and treated as Trypethelium phlyctaena Fée in the 1985 edition, as Trypethelium variolosum Ach. [≡ Astrothelium variolosum (Ach.) Müll.Arg.] in the 2007 edition of the Flora of New Zealand Lichens (Galloway 2007), and in 2016 as Astrothelium phlyctaena (Fée.) Aptroot & Lücking, is here treated as a heterotypic synonym of Astrothelium nigratum. Trypethelium bicolor var. pyrenuloides C.Knight. This action removes Astrothelium/Trypethelium phlyctaena and Astrothelium/Trypethelium variolosum from the lichenised mycobiota of Aotearoa / New Zealand. Astrothelium nigratum is a widespread, common though under-collected lichen of mature forest known from a range of locations in Te Ika-a-Māui / North Island and from at least one location in the northwestern portion of Te Waipounamu / South Island. We assess Astrothelium nigratum as ‘Not Threatened’ using the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Cite as
de Lange, P.J., Marshall, A.J., Aptroot, A. & Blanchon, D.J. (in press). Astrothelium Eschw. (Trypetheliaceae) in Aotearoa / New Zealand. Perspectives in Biodiversity, 4(1): XX–XX. https://doi.org/10.34074/pibdiv.004101