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Niebla and Vermilacinia (Ramalinaceae)
from California and Baja California. |
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Niebla halei is a rare lichen known only from San Bruno Mt. It was collected by Herre in 1906. Whether the species still survives is unknown. Herre (1936) had complained about the California lichen flora going to the “real estaters.” Biodiversity on San Bruno Mountain includes many rare species. Niebla halei is distinct for its small size, the smallest in the genus, and for its much divided thallus from a well-defined holdfast, unlike other profusely branched species that generally lack a holdfast. It is further characterized by anisotomic branching, by the absence of pycnidia except at apex where appearing obscure, by the absence of apothecia, and by the lichen substance divaricatic acid (with triterpenes). The anisotomic branching from a holdfast is similar to that of N. dactylifera, a species endemic to San Nicolas Island, which differs by the larger thallus less densely branched below the middle, and by having sekikaic acid. The cortex of N. halei has reticulate ridging similar to that of N. testudinaria, especially Charis Bratt 6431 from Santa Cruz Island and Charis Bratt 7202 from the nearby Santa Ynez Mts. The terminal antler-like branchlets are similar to those of N. dissecta on Santa Cruz Island. These combination of these features and their relationships suggest that N. halei is a relict species. Reference: Herre, A. W. C. T. 1936. Our vanishing lichen flora. Madroño 3: 198–200. |
