# Gyalectidium barbatum

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gyalectidium_barbatum
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gyalectidium_barbatum.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyalectidium_barbatum
> Source revision: 1341958501
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Species of lichen-forming fungus

Gyalectidium barbatum Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Ascomycota Class: Lecanoromycetes Order: Graphidales Family: Gomphillaceae Genus: Gyalectidium Species: G. barbatum Binomial name Gyalectidium barbatum Herrera‑Camp. & Lücking (2002)

***Gyalectidium barbatum*** is a [foliicolous](/source/Foliicolous_lichen) (leaf‑dwelling) [crustose lichen](/source/Crustose_lichen) in the family [Gomphillaceae](/source/Gomphillaceae),[1] described from specimens collected in [Veracruz](/source/Veracruz), Mexico. It is distinguished from related species by its [hyphophores](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#hyphophores) (minute [asexual reproductive](/source/Asexual_reproduction) structures) and [ascospore](/source/Ascospore) size range.

## Taxonomy

The species was [described](/source/Species_description) as new to science by María de los Ángeles Herrera-Campos and [Robert Lücking](/source/Robert_L%C3%BCcking) in 2002 from material collected from the [Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve](/source/Los_Tuxtlas_Biosphere_Reserve); the [holotype](/source/Holotype) is deposited at MEXU (voucher: Herrera‑Campos et al. 153). The original description emphasises diagnostic hyphophore morphology and spore dimensions separating it from others in *[Gyalectidium](/source/Gyalectidium)*.[2]

## Description

*Gyalectidium barbatum* is a leaf-dwelling crust that grows on the upper surface of living leaves, forming tiny whitish to silvery-gray patches. The thallus is slightly swollen in appearance because it is encrusted with [calcium oxalate](/source/Calcium_oxalate) crystals; individual patches are about 0.5–1 mm wide. The [photosynthetic](/source/Photosynthesis) partner ([photobiont](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#photobiont)) is a [green alga](/source/Green_alga) in the genus *[Trebouxia](/source/Trebouxia)*, with roughly spherical cells measuring about 5–8 [μm](/source/%CE%9Cm) in diameter. [2]

The species is characterized by abundant marginal hyphophores ([asexual reproductive](/source/Asexual_reproduction) structures). These are horizontal, closely [appressed](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#appressed), broadly triangular to irregularly cut (giving a "shaggy" outline), and translucent overall but darker near the base. Each scale is about 0.05–0.15 mm long and about 0.15–0.3 mm wide at the base. Beneath the scale bases, the lichen produces a single "bunch" of short, bead-like ([moniliform](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#moniliform)) [hyphae](/source/Hypha) that branch in a star-like pattern and are mixed with algal cells. The hyphal segments are roughly sausage-shaped, and measure about 4–7 × 1.8–2.2 μm. [Apothecia](/source/Apothecia) appear to be uncommon (only one was reported), and it was said to resemble those of closely related species such as *[G. caucasicum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gyalectidium_caucasicum&action=edit&redlink=1)* and *[G. minus](/source/Gyalectidium_minus)*.[2]

## Habitat and distribution

The [type](/source/Type_(biology)) collection of *Gyalectidium barbatum* was made at the Los Tuxtlas Tropical Biology Station in Veracruz, Mexico, within the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. The authors describe the area as [tropical](/source/Tropical) moist [broadleaf forest](/source/Broadleaf_forest) (lowland [rainforest](/source/Rainforest)), and the specimen was collected at about 150–250 m (490–820 ft) elevation. As of its original description, it was known only from the [type locality](/source/Type_locality_(biology)) in Veracruz.[2]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CoL_3HNNG_1-0)** ["*Gyalectidium barbatum* Herrera-Camp. & Lücking"](https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/3HNNG). *[Catalogue of Life](/source/Catalogue_of_Life)*. [Species 2000](/source/Species_2000): Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved February 2, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Herrera‑Campos_&_Lücking_2002_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Herrera‑Campos_&_Lücking_2002_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Herrera‑Campos_&_Lücking_2002_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Herrera‑Campos_&_Lücking_2002_2-3) Herrera‑Campos, M.A.; Lücking, R. (2002). "The foliicolous lichen flora of Mexico. I. New species from Los Tuxtlas Tropical Biology Station, Veracruz". *The Lichenologist*. **34** (3): 211–222. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1006/lich.2002.0397](https://doi.org/10.1006%2Flich.2002.0397).

Taxon identifiers Gyalectidium barbatum Wikidata: Q17388218 Wikispecies: Gyalectidium barbatum CoL: 3HNNG GBIF: 3419816 IndexFungorum: 475592 MycoBank: 475592 Open Tree of Life: 3784785 SpeciesFungorum: 475592

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gyalectidium barbatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyalectidium_barbatum) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyalectidium_barbatum?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.