# Gyalectidium areolatum

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Species of lichen-forming fungus

Gyalectidium areolatum Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Ascomycota Class: Lecanoromycetes Order: Graphidales Family: Gomphillaceae Genus: Gyalectidium Species: G. areolatum Binomial name Gyalectidium areolatum Ferraro & Lücking (2001)

***Gyalectidium areolatum*** is a species of [lichen](/source/Lichen)-forming [fungus](/source/Fungus) in the family [Gomphillaceae](/source/Gomphillaceae).[1] It is a [leaf-dwelling lichen](/source/Foliicolous_lichen) found in the [Neotropics](/source/Neotropics), particularly common in northern Argentina and Paraguay, with records also from Mexico and Brazil. The species is distinguished by its strongly segmented thallus that breaks into discrete, whitish polygonal patches separated by thin greenish zones, with well-developed scale-like reproductive structures developing at the margins of these segments.

## Taxonomy

*Gyalectidium areolatum* was [described](/source/Species_description) as a new species in 2001 by Lidia Ferraro and [Robert Lücking](/source/Robert_L%C3%BCcking). The [type](/source/Type_(biology)) material was collected in northern Argentina ([Formosa Province](/source/Formosa_Province)), at [Estancia Guaycolec](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Estancia_Guaycolec&action=edit&redlink=1) [[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estancia_Guaycolec)], a privately managed [nature reserve](/source/Nature_reserve). The species was separated from similar members of the genus by its strongly [areolate](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#areolate) thallus (broken into discrete, polygonal patches) combined with well-developed, scale-like [hyphophores](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#hyphophores) that develop at the margins of the crystalline [areoles](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#areoles).[2]

## Description

The [thallus](/source/Thallus) (the main body of the lichen) forms rounded patches about 1–3 mm across and is distinctly areolate. It consists of flattened, whitish, polygonal crystalline clusters that are separated (or bordered) by thin, greenish parts of the thallus. The areoles usually develop first near the centre and may become confluent as the thallus matures.[2]

The hyphophores (specialised, scale-like structures that produce dispersal [propagules](/source/Propagule)) are submarginal. Their scales are well developed and arise from the outer edge of crescent-shaped areoles. They are obliquely oriented and typically [squamiform](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#squamiform) with two acute lateral projections, measuring about 0.2–0.5 mm wide by 0.15–0.2 mm long. Color ranges from whitish translucent to pale yellowish or orange, sometimes grayish. [Apothecia](/source/Apothecia) are rare overall but can be abundant on thalli that produce them. They are rounded (sometimes confluent), about 0.1–0.2 mm in diameter, with a grayish-brown [disc](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#disc) and margin. The [ascospores](/source/Ascospore) are [ellipsoid](/source/Ellipsoid), measuring 35–45 × 12–18 [μm](/source/%CE%9Cm). [Pycnidia](/source/Pycnidia) have not been reported for this species.[2]

## Habitat and distribution

Ferraro and colleagues reported *G. areolatum* from multiple localities in the [Neotropics](/source/Neotropics), with records including Mexico and several parts of South America. Within that range, it appears to be most common in northern Argentina and adjacent Paraguay,[2] and has also been recorded in Brazil.[3]

In ecology it was described as broadly similar to *[Gyalectidium filicinum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gyalectidium_filicinum&action=edit&redlink=1)*, but tending towards slightly more open situations. The authors also noted that the thin greenish thallus zones separating the crystalline areoles may help explain why the hyphophores end up positioned on the thallus surface rather than remaining strictly marginal.[2]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CoL_3HNNB_1-0)** ["*Gyalectidium areolatum* L.I. Ferraro & Lücking"](https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/3HNNB). *[Catalogue of Life](/source/Catalogue_of_Life)*. [Species 2000](/source/Species_2000): Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved January 27, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ferraro_et_al._2001_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ferraro_et_al._2001_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Ferraro_et_al._2001_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Ferraro_et_al._2001_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Ferraro_et_al._2001_2-4) Ferraro, Lidia I.; Lücking, Robert; Sérusiaux, Emmanuël (2001). ["A world monograph of the lichen genus *Gyalectidium* (Gomphillaceae)"](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8339.2001.tb01126.x). *Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society*. **137** (3): 311–345. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1095-8339.2001.tb01126.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8339.2001.tb01126.x).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Santos_et_al._2020_3-0)** Santos, Viviane M.; da Silva Cáceres, Marcela E.; Lücking, Robert (2020). "Diversity of foliicolous lichens in isolated montane rainforests (Brejos) of northeastern Brazil and their biogeography in a neotropical context". *Ecological Research*. **35** (1): 182–197. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/1440-1703.12071](https://doi.org/10.1111%2F1440-1703.12071).

Taxon identifiers Gyalectidium areolatum Wikidata: Q17388081 Wikispecies: Gyalectidium areolatum CoL: 3HNNB GBIF: 3419850 IndexFungorum: 477908 MycoBank: 477908 NCBI: 2869476 Open Tree of Life: 3784794 SpeciesFungorum: 477908

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