# Pliariona

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Single-species lichen genus

Pliariona Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Ascomycota Class: Lecanoromycetes Order: Graphidales Family: Graphidaceae Genus: Pliariona A.Massal. (1860) Species: P. montagnei Binomial name Pliariona montagnei (Bosch) A.Massal. (1860) Synonyms[3] Graphis montagnei Bosch (1855) Lecanactis montagnei (Bosch) Nyl. (1858) Graphina montagnei (Bosch) Müll.Arg. (1880)[1] Phaeographina montagnei (Bosch) Müll.Arg. (1882) Thecaria montagnei (Bosch) Staiger (2002)[2]

***Pliariona*** is a fungal [genus](/source/Genus) in the family [Graphidaceae](/source/Graphidaceae).[4][5] It comprises the single species ***Pliariona montagnei***, a [corticolous](/source/Corticolous_lichen) (bark-dwelling) [script lichen](/source/Script_lichen) widely distributed across various [tropical](/source/Tropical) and [subtropical](/source/Subtropical) regions.

## Taxonomy

*Pliariona* was originally [circumscribed](/source/Circumscription_(taxonomy)) by the Italian lichenologist [Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo](/source/Abramo_Bartolommeo_Massalongo) in 1860,[6] to contain a [script lichen](/source/Script_lichen) species that was originally named *Graphis montagnei* by the Dutch botanist [Roelof Benjamin van den Bosch](/source/Roelof_Benjamin_van_den_Bosch).[7]

The genus *Pliariona* was reinstated in 2013 based on [molecular phylogenetics](/source/Molecular_phylogenetics) studies that revealed distinct [lineages](/source/Lineage_(evolution)) within the [Graphidaceae](/source/Graphidaceae). These studies showed that species previously grouped under the same genus due to [morphological](/source/Morphology_(biology)) similarities were not always closely related.[8] For example, *Pliariona montagnei* (formerly known as *Thecaria montagnei*) and *[Thecaria quassicola](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thecaria_quassicola&action=edit&redlink=1)*, despite their superficial resemblance, were found to be [genetically distant](/source/Genetic_distance) and not [congeneric](/source/Biological_specificity#congener).[8]

The reinstatement of *Pliariona* as a separate genus is supported by molecular evidence and key taxonomic characteristics that distinguish it from related genera. These distinguishing features include an [epruinose](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#epruinose) apothecial [disc](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#disc) (the spore-producing surface lacking a powdery coating) and a dark red [hymenium](/source/Hymenium) (the fertile layer of the fungus).[8]

## Description

*Pliariona montagnei* has a thallus that ranges in colour from olive to dull green, with a glossy appearance. The surface texture varies from smooth to warty, often reflecting the contours of the underlying bark [substrate](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#substrate). The species is characterised by its numerous [ascomata](/source/Ascomata) (fruiting bodies), which are [sessile](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#sessile) and [lirellate](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#lirellate) in form. These reproductive structures are predominantly [simple](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#simple), though some display occasional branching, and measure up to 0.6 mm by 0.5 mm. The ascomata feature an open [disc](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#disc) that is red and epruinose, surrounded by a well-developed [exciple](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#exciple). This exciple is fully [carbonised](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#carbonised) (blackened), measuring 130 to 250 [μm](/source/%CE%9Cm), and is covered by a thick, unbroken [thalline margin](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#thalline_margin).[8]

The [hymenium](/source/Hymenium), which measures 150–200 μm in height, is red-pigmented and densely [inspersed](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#inspersed). Within this layer, the [asci](/source/Ascus) (spore-bearing sacs) each contain a single [ascospore](/source/Ascospore). These ascospores are [muriform](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#muriform), [ellipsoidal](/source/Ellipsoid) to oval in shape, and measure 125–155 μm by 25–40 μm. Initially [hyaline](/source/Hyaline) and non-[amyloid](/source/Amyloid_(mycology)), the spores develop a brownish or [mottled](/source/Mottling) appearance as they mature. The species contains the compound [isohypocrelline](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Isohypocrelline&action=edit&redlink=1), though the biological significance of this substance in *P. montagnei* remains unclear. The combination of these morphological and chemical characteristics distinguishes *P. montagnei* from other superficially similar species within the Graphidaceae.[8]

## Habitat and distribution

*Pliariona montagnei* exhibits a wide distribution across various tropical and subtropical regions. The species has been documented in Australia, West Africa, Japan, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, [Vanuatu](/source/Vanuatu), and [Norfolk Island](/source/Norfolk_Island). It has more recently been recorded in Vietnam, specifically in [Đắk Lắk province](/source/%C4%90%E1%BA%AFk_L%E1%BA%AFk_province), within [Chư Yang Sin National Park](/source/Ch%C6%B0_Yang_Sin_National_Park).[8]

The species is [corticolous](/source/Corticolous_lichen), growing on tree bark. In the Vietnamese location where it was observed, *P. montagnei* was found at an elevation of about 780 metres above sea level.[8]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Müller_1880_1-0)** Müller, J. (1880). ["Lichenologische Beiträge. X"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/65506). *Flora (Regensburg)* (in Latin). **63** (3): 40–45.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Staiger_2002_2-0)** Staiger; B. (2002). *Die Flechtennamilie Graphidaceae: Studien in Richtung einer natürlichen Gliederung* [*The lichen family Graphidaceae: studies towards a natural organization*]. Bibliotheca Lichenologica (in German). Vol. 85. Berlin/Stuttgart: J. Cramer. p. 446. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-443-58064-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-443-58064-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Species_Fungorum_synonymy_3-0)** ["GSD Species Synonymy. Current Name: *Pliariona montagnei* (Bosch) A. Massal., Atti Inst. Veneto Sci. lett., ed Arti, Sér. 3 5: 318 (1860)"](https://www.speciesfungorum.org/GSD/GSDspecies.asp?RecordID=401667). [Species Fungorum](/source/Species_Fungorum). Retrieved 13 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CoL_4-0)** ["*Pliariona*"](https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/6SX5). *[Catalogue of Life](/source/Catalogue_of_Life)*. [Species 2000](/source/Species_2000): Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 13 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Wijayawardene_et_al._2022_5-0)** Wijayawardene, N.N.; Hyde, K.D.; Dai, D.Q.; Sánchez-García, M.; Goto, B.T.; Saxena, R.K.; et al. (2022). ["Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa – 2021"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358798332). *Mycosphere*. **13** (1): 53–453 [161]. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5943/mycosphere/13/1/2](https://doi.org/10.5943%2Fmycosphere%2F13%2F1%2F2). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[1854/LU-8754813](https://hdl.handle.net/1854%2FLU-8754813).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Massalongo_1860_6-0)** Massalongo, A.B. (1860). "Esame comparativo di alcune genere di licheni". *Atti dell'Istituto Veneto Scienze* (in Latin). **5**: 313–337.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Miquel_1856_7-0)** Miquel, F.A.W.; Van den Bosch, R.B. (1856). "Lichenes". [*Plantae Junghuhnianae*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/612794) (in Latin). Vol. 4. pp. 427–494.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Joshi_et_al._2013_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Joshi_et_al._2013_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Joshi_et_al._2013_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Joshi_et_al._2013_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Joshi_et_al._2013_8-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Joshi_et_al._2013_8-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Joshi_et_al._2013_8-6) Joshi, Santosh; Jayalal, Udeni; Oh, Soon-Ok; Koh, Young Jin; Nguyen, Thi Thuy; Dzung, Nguyen Anh; Hur, Jae-Seoun (2013). "New species and new records in the family Graphidaceae (Ascomycota: Ostropales ) from Vietnam". *The Lichenologist*. **45** (5): 599–609. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/S002428291300025X](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS002428291300025X).

Taxon identifiers Pliariona Wikidata: Q107289447 CoL: 6SX5 GBIF: 8110231 IndexFungorum: 4253 IRMNG: 1006438 MycoBank: 4253 Open Tree of Life: 392852 SpeciesFungorum: 4253 Pliariona montagnei Wikidata: Q108263326 CoL: 4KFNX GBIF: 3304792 IndexFungorum: 401667 MycoBank: 401667 Open Tree of Life: 392853 SpeciesFungorum: 401667 Graphis montagnei Wikidata: Q59587260 CoL: 3H9PJ GBIF: 5260786 IndexFungorum: 386002 IRMNG: 10655529 MycoBank: 386002 SpeciesFungorum: 386002 Lecanactis montagnei Wikidata: Q107901571 CoL: 3SQZN GBIF: 3304793 IndexFungorum: 387291 MycoBank: 387291 SpeciesFungorum: 387291 Graphina montagnei Wikidata: Q107708171 CoL: 3H8ZM GBIF: 3304794 IndexFungorum: 385370 MycoBank: 385370 SpeciesFungorum: 385370 Phaeographina montagnei Wikidata: Q105498147 AusLichen: 30023671 CoL: 4FN68 GBIF: 2601632 IndexFungorum: 400079 IRMNG: 10982465 MycoBank: 400079 SpeciesFungorum: 400079 Thecaria montagnei Wikidata: Q10695946 Wikispecies: Thecaria montagnei AusLichen: 30020048 CoL: 7C6SJ GBIF: 2601631 IndexFungorum: 373332 IRMNG: 10394253 MycoBank: 373332 NCBI: 996914 Open Tree of Life: 392853 SpeciesFungorum: 373332

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