A new species of Circinaria (Pertusariales, Megasporaceae) from Pakistan

Abstract

Circinaria pakistanica sp. nov. is described from the Himalayan moist temperate forests in Pakistan. The morphology, chemistry and ITS sequence support its distinction from other species of this genus. The taxon is characterised by a whitish to blackish grey thallus, greyish white epruinose apothecia, flat to slightly concave areoles, a hymenium 110–200 μm high, large ascospores (22–38 × 18–32 μm) and the absence of pycnidia; it also differs from related species in the ITS region.

Keywords

• ganga choti
• khyber pakhtunkhwa
• phylogenetic relationships