The genus Upretia is a recent classification within the subfamily Caloplacoideae of the family Teloschistaceae.[3]Molecular phylogenetics placed Upretia squamulosa in a clade close to Upretia. This genus, initially proposed on the basis of specimens collected from India, is closely related to the monotypic genus Ioplaca, found in high elevations in the Himalayas.[1]
Description
Upretia squamulosa is characterised by its squamulose, epilithic thallus that ranges in colour from greyish green to brown. The squamules are convex, sometimes resembling a bullet shape, with their apex often free from the substrate. This species has lecanorine apothecia, which are pale brown to brown in colour, and polarilocular ascospores. The thallus and apothecia contain gyrophoric and lecanoric acids, but no anthraquinones are found in the apothecia.[1]
The thallus of Upretia squamulosa is saxicolous and squamulose, without an effigurate margin, and can grow up to 7 cm (2.8 in) in diameter. The upper surface is non-pruinose, smooth, and without cracks. The hymenium of the apothecia is colourless and the epihymenium is pale brown. The species does not form pycnidia.[1]
Habitat and distribution
Upretia squamulosa thrives in arid environments, particularly on rocky substrates, at elevations ranging from 1,240 to 3,160 m (4,070 to 10,370 ft). It has been found exclusively in China's Yunnan Province. The species is adapted to the hot and dry climate of the Jinsha-jiang River valley, which is dominated by shrubs and hosts a variety of crustose and squamulose lichens.[1]
References
^ abcdefZhang, Yan Yun; Wang, Xin Yu; Li, Li Juan; Søchting, Ulrik; Yin, An Cheng; Wang, Shi Qiong; Wang, Li Song (2019). "Upretia squamulosa, a new lichen species from the arid valley of Jinsha-jiang River, China". Phytotaxa. 402 (6): 288–294. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.402.6.3.
