Shackletonia backorii (Teloschistaceae)-A new species of lichenised fungus from James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula)

Abstract

The new lichen species Shackletonia backorii Halici, Gullu & 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 (Sochting & Ovstedal) Sochting, Froden & 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.