the genus Coccocarpia (Peltigerales: Coccocarpiaceae) - Instituto ...

Selected specimens examined: COSTA RICA. Cartago: Tapantí National Park, Mar 2004, Aptroot 60982
(ABL, INB-4021820); Apr 2003, Trest 1365 (GZU). Heredia: La Selva Protection Zone, Jul 1997, Lücking
97-1486 (F); Oct 2002, Lücking 15662 (CR, INB-4030117, USJ), 16001g (B, CR, F, INB-4031113, USJ),
16002f (F).
Coccocarpia epiphylla (Fée) Kremp. Fig. 2A–B
Notes: New to Costa Rica, already listed in our online checklist
(http://www.fieldmuseum.org/ticolichen/checklist.html). The neotropical species belongs in
the Coccocarpia stellata group and is rather similar to the latter, differing mainly by its
broader, flabellate lobes and slightly more elongated ascospores.
MARCANO et al. (1995) described the new species Coccocarpia culatensis from
Venezuela, being similar to C. epiphylla but differing by its lichenicolous instead of
foliicolous growth and its subglobose versus fusiform ascospores. Our material shows that
C. epiphylla commonly grows on bark as well, and the 'lichenicolous' growth over other
foliose lichens can certainly not be used as a specific character for C. culatensis.
ARVIDSSON (1983) gives the ascospores of C. epiphylla as 6–7 × 2–4 µm, but according to
our observations they are mostly 6 × 4 µm, thus slightly elongate. This variational
amplitude perfectly includes the specimen representing the type of C. culatensis, and also
the habit photograph (MARCANO et al. 1995: 220) indicates that it deals with C. epiphylla.
Selected specimens examined: COSTA RICA. Alajuela: Volcán Tenorio National Park, Mar 2004,
Aptroot 60512 (ABL, INB-3967666). Cartago: Tapantí National Park, Apr 2003, Will-Wolf 12540l (WIS).
Guanacaste: Palo Verde National Park, Mar 2003, Lücking 16514d (INB-3987277). Puntarenas: La Amistad
International Park, Jun 2002, Lücking 15221a (INB-3978438), 15235k (F), 15239h (INB-3976200), 15240ab
(F).
Coccocarpia erythroxyli (Spreng.) Swinsc. & Krog Fig. 1B
Notes: A very common and widespread, quite variable taxon (ARVIDSSON 1983).
Typically, the apothecia are convex and lack laterally spreading rhizines; their color varies
from orange to dark red to almost black, apparently depending on the degree of sun
exposure. ARVIDSSON (1983) reports and illustrates a narrow-lobed form (f. ciliata Müll.
Arg. and f. strigosa Müll. Arg.) with rhizinate apothecia from Mexico, Ecuador, and Brazil.
We have observed the same form in Costa Rica. Molecular studies are required in this
species and also in Coccocarpia palmicola to better assess the enormous morphological
variation in these taxa.
Selected specimens examined: COSTA RICA. Alajuela: La Palma de San Ramón, Oct 1929, Brenes 41
(FH; as Coccocarpia pellita var. parmelioides). Santiago de San Ramon, Dec 1929, Brenes 238 (FH; as C.
pellita var. smaragdina). Volcán Tenorio National Park, Mar 2004, Aptroot 60451 (ABL, INB-3964128),
Lücking 17234 (CR), 17251r (INB-4004879). Cartago: E terrace of Río Birris, Oct 1929, Dodge & Thomas
438