# Gyalectidium conchiferum

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Species of lichen-forming fungus

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

***Gyalectidium conchiferum*** is a leaf-dwelling ([foliicolous](/source/Foliicolous_lichen)) species of [lichen](/source/Lichen)-forming [fungus](/source/Fungus) in the family [Gomphillaceae](/source/Gomphillaceae).[1] It is known from the [Valdivian temperate rainforest](/source/Valdivian_temperate_forests) of southern Chile, where it forms small greenish-gray patches on living leaves. The species is characterized by its distinctive mussel-shaped reproductive structures that stand upright at the [thallus](/source/Thallus) margin, which distinguish it from similar smooth-thallusеd species in the genus.

## Taxonomy

*Gyalectidium conchiferum* was [described](/source/Species_description) as a new species in 2001 by [Robert Lücking](/source/Robert_L%C3%BCcking) and Volkmar Wirth, based on material collected in southern Chile. The [type](/source/Type_(biology)) was collected from Volcan El Mocho near [Choshuenco](/source/Choshuenco), about 100 km (62 mi) east of [Valdivia](/source/Valdivia) at an elevation of 600–630 m (1,970–2,070 ft). In the original account it was compared with *[Gyalectidium catenulatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gyalectidium_catenulatum&action=edit&redlink=1)*, which has a similar smooth [thallus](/source/Thallus), but differs in the shape and placement of the [hyphophores](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#hyphophores) (specialized, often stalked structures that produce [asexual](/source/Asexual_reproduction) fungal filaments).[2]

## Description

The thallus (the main body of the lichen) forms rounded patches about 1–5 mm across. It is smooth and lacks crystals, and is greenish gray to green.[2]

Hyphophores are produced at the margin of the thallus. Their scales are well developed and stand upright; they are [squamiform](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#squamiform) and described as mussel-shaped, because the base bends inward toward the thallus edge. The scale margin is entire and rounded, and the scales measure about 0.2–0.4 mm long by 0.3–0.4 mm wide; they are whitish in colour. [Apothecia](/source/Apothecia) and [pycnidia](/source/Pycnidia) have not been reported for this species.[2]

## Habitat and distribution

*Gyalectidium conchiferum* has been reported from the [Valdivian temperate rainforest](/source/Valdivian_temperate_forests) of southern Chile, where it grows on living leaves.[3]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CoL_3HNNN_1-0)** ["*Gyalectidium conchiferum* Lücking & V. Wirth"](https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/3HNNN). *[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) 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-Lücking_et_al._2003_3-0)** Lücking, R.; Wirth, V.; Ferraro, L.I.; Cáceres, M.E.S. (2003). "Foliicolous lichens from Valdivian temperate rain forest of Chile and Argentina: evidence of an austral element, with the description of seven new taxa". *Global Ecology and Biogeography*. **12** (1): 21–36. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1046/j.1466-822X.2003.00319.x](https://doi.org/10.1046%2Fj.1466-822X.2003.00319.x). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[11336/30980](https://hdl.handle.net/11336%2F30980).

Taxon identifiers Gyalectidium conchiferum Wikidata: Q17387892 Wikispecies: Gyalectidium conchiferum CoL: 3HNNN GBIF: 3419814 IndexFungorum: 489263 MycoBank: 489263 Open Tree of Life: 3784826 SpeciesFungorum: 489263

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