The genus Ramalina (Ascomycota, Lecanoromycetes, Ramalinaceae) from the Scattered Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands), with descriptions of three new species

Abstract

A systematic survey of lichens was performed in 2019 in four of the five territories constituting the French Scattered Islands (Europa Island, Juan de Nova, Glorioso Islands, and Tromelin) focusing on the genus Ramalina. Species were characterized using morphological (macroscopic and microscopic) features and an accurate chemical profiling method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). Five species were found in these territories. Two of them, Ramalina dumeticola and R. ovalis, are already known. Three species are introduced here as new to science: Ramalina gloriosensis sp. nov., R. hivertiana sp. nov., and R. marteaui sp. nov. An identification key is provided for the species found in the area and morphologically closely related taxa.