Vermilacinia corrugata is a fruticose lichen that grows on trees and shrubs in the fog regions along the Pacific Coast of North America from the Channel Islands and San Diego in California to southern Baja California.Spjut, R. W. 1996. Niebla and Vermilacinia (Ramalinaceae) from California and Baja California. Sida The epithet is in reference to the corrugated cortex of the species.
Distinguishing Features Vermilacinia corrugata is classified in the subgenus Cylindricaria in which it is distinguished from related species by the thallus divided into tubular corrugated branches. The species is also one of two in the genus that lacks the diterpene (-)-16 α-hydroxykaurane, a diagnostic character trait that easily separates the species from most others in the genus. The triterpene zeorin is usually present, while other lichen substances are rarely evident except for usnic acid, which is generally present in all species of Vermilacinia. Occasionally, no lichen substances have been detected based on thin-layer chromatography. Mature apothecia are usually present, in contrast to rarely being fully developed in V. cerebra.
Vermilacinia corrugata is one of the most common fruticose lichens in Baja California, occurring along the boundary of the fog zone, in contrast to V. leopardina, a more common species found closer to the ocean, distinguished by the presence of black bands and possessing the diterpene (-)-16 α-hydroxykaurane.
Taxonomic History Vermilacinia corrugata was described in 1996. It had earlier been recognized to intergrade with V. leopardina, based on an older name, Desmazieria ceruchis;Rundel, P., P. A. Bowler and T. W. Mulroy. 1972. A fog-induced lichen community in northwestern Baja California, with two new species of Desmazieria. The Bryologist 75: 501–508. however, as noted above, the presence vs. absence of the diterpenes distinguishes the species. Nevertheless, some authors—who feel that lichen chemistry has less taxonomic value—include the species under a very broad species and genus concept; essentially, all species of Vermilacinia that grow on trees and shrubs, including two sorediate species, have been referred to Niebla ceruchis,Bowler, P. and J. Marsh. 2004. Niebla. ‘Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert’ 2: 368–380 an epithet that is based on a type specimen for a species interpreted to grow on earth in South America, known as Vermilacinia ceruchis.Spjut R. W. 1995. Vermilacinia (Ramalinaceae, Lecanorales), a new genus of lichens. In: Flechten Follmann; Contr. Lichen in honor of Gerhard Follmann; F. J. A. Daniels, M. Schulz & J. Peine, eds., Koeltz Scientific Books: Koenigstein, pp. 337-351. The genus Vermilacinia is distinguished from Niebla by the absence of chondroid strands, and by the major lichen substance predominantly of terpenes.
References
External links World Botanical Associates, Vermilacinia subgenus Vermilacinia, retrieved 5 Dec 2014, http://www.worldbotanical.com/vermilacinia_subgenus_vermilacin.htm