全 文 ：Mycosystema
菌 物 学 报 15 January 2009, 28(1): 092-096

jwxt@im.ac.cn
ISSN1672-6472 CN11-5180Q
©2009 Institute of Microbiology, CAS, all rights reserved.






Support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30370007)
*Corresponding author. E-mail: chenjbin@yahoo.com
Received: 12-12-2008, accepted: 16-12-2008

Parmeliaceae (Ascomycota) Lichens from
China’s Mainland V. The genera Bulbothrix
and Relicina
CHEN Jian-Bin1* XU Lei2 John A. ELIX3
1Systematic Mycology & Lichenology Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
2Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai 200231, China
3Department of Chemistry, Building 33, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia



Abstract: Five species of Bulbothrix and two species of Relicina are recognized for mainland China. Of these Bulbothrix goebelii, B.
tabacina, Relicina abstrusa and R. sydneyensis are reported from China’s mainland for the first time, although they have been
previously recorded in Hong Kong and/or Taiwan I. Bulbothrix yunnana is endemic to China.
Key words: Asia, lichens, new records, taxonomy

中国大陆的梅衣科地衣Ⅴ.球针叶属和球针黄叶属
陈健斌 1* 徐蕾 2 John A. ELIX3
1中国科学院微生物研究所真菌地衣系统学重点实验室 北京 100101
2上海自然博物馆 上海 200231
3澳大利亚国立大学化学系 堪培拉 ACT0200
摘 要：球针叶属 Bulbothrix 和球针黄叶属 Relicina 地衣区别于其它梅衣的主要特征是裂片边缘具有膨大似葱头状的缘毛。
球针叶属地衣的上表面灰色，含有黑茶渍素（atranorin），而球针黄叶属地衣的上表面为黄绿色含有松萝酸（usnic acid）。经
过形态学与化学研究，承认中国大陆有球针叶属地衣 5 种和球针黄叶属地衣 2 种。其中戈氏球叶 B. goebelii，烟草球针叶 B.
tabacina，玄球针黄叶 R. abstrusa 和悉尼球针黄叶 R. sydneyensis 等 4 种为中国大陆首次记载。云南球针叶 B. yunnana 为中国
特有种。本文报道的 7 个种均出现在中国长江以南地区，这与球针叶属和球针黄叶属地衣呈热带，亚热带的世界分布格局相
吻合。
关键词：地衣分类，球针叶属，球针黄叶属，新记录




DOI:10.13346/j.mycosystema.2009.01.015
Vol.28 No.1 93
http://journals.im.ac.cn/jwxtcn
INTRODUCTION
The genera Bulbothrix and Relicina were first
segregated from Parmelia sens. lat. by Hale (1974) and
are distinguished from other parmelioid lichens by the
presence of marginal bulbate cilia. Species of Bulbothrix
differ from those of Relicina by having a grey upper
surface, containing atranorin and chloroatranorin in the
upper cortex, whereas species of Relicina have a
yellow-green upper surface and contain usnic acid.
Hale (1975, 1976) monographed both genera, and more
recently Elix (1996) revised the genus Relicina. Wei
(1991) recorded 4 species of Bulbothrix and 8 species of
Relicina from China, but at that time most were only
known from Hong Kong and/or Taiwan I. Only two
species were recorded from mainland China, Bulbothrix
setschwanensis (Zahlbr.) Hale and Relcina relicinula
(Müll. Arg.) Hale. Subsequently, Wang et al. (2000)
described the new species, Bulbothrix yunnana S.L.
Wang, J.B. Chen & Elix. Kurokawa & Lai (2001)
recognized 3 species of Bulbothrix and 5 species of
Relicina from Taiwan, treated Relicina subturgida
(Kurok.) Hale as a synonym of Relicina sydneyensis
(Gyeln.) Hale, and considered the report of Relicina
planiuscula (Kurok.) Hale from Taiwan (Hale 1975) to
be erroneous. The species of Bulbothrix and Relicina
present in mainland China are revised in the present
paper.
1 MATERIAL AND METHODS
The morphology, anatomy and chemistry of over 100
specimens of Bulbothrix and Relicina housed in HMAS-L have
been studied in the present investigation. The morphology
was examined using a Zeiss Stemi SV6 or a Zeiss Stemi 2000C
stereo microscope, and a Zeiss Axioscop 40 or a Zeiss Axiolab
compound microscope. Chemical constituents were identified
by thin layer chromatography (Culberson 1972; Culberson et al.
1981; Elix & Ernst-Russell 1993), but when necessary the
identity of the substances was confirmed by high performance
liquid chromatography (Elix et al. 2003) and by comparison
with authentic samples. Unless stated otherwise, all cited
specimens are housed in HMAS-L.
2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Keys to species of Bulbothrix in mainland China
1. Thallus isidiate ...................................................................................................................................………………………………2
1. Thallus lacking isidia; lobulate or not ............................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Medulla K+ yellow then red, salazinic acid present .......................................................................................................................... 3
2. Medulla K–, C+ rose, gyrophoric acid present................................................................................................................... B. goebelii
3. Lower surface brown............................................................................................................................................................ B. isidiza
3. Lower surface black ..........................................................................................................................................................B. tabacina
4. Upper surface lobulate; medulla K–, caperatic acid present.............................................................................................. B. yunnana
4. Upper surface lacking lobules; medulla K+ yellow then red, salazinic acid present .........................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................................B. setschwanensis

2.1 The genus Bulbothrix
Bulbothrix Hale, Phytologia 28: 480 (1974).
Species of Bulbothrix are characterized by thalli with
relatively narrow lobes (0.5–5mm wide), marginal
bulbate cilia, a grey upper surface with cortical atranorin
and chloroatranorin, the lack of pseudocyphellae, a pored
epicortex, a black to pale brown lower surface with
simple or branched rhizines and bacilliform or bifusiform
conidia. Bulbothrix is a tropical to subtropical genus with
centres of speciation in South America and South Africa
(Hale 1976; Elix 1993, 1994a; Jungbluth et al. 2008). At
present this genus includes ca. 50 species worldwide, of
which 5 species occur in mainland China.
2.2 The species of Bulbothrix
1. Bulbothrix goebelii (Zenker) Hale, Smithsonian Contr.
Bot. 32: 14 (1976)
≡ Parmelia goebelii Zenker in F. Goebel & G.
Kunze, Pharm. Waarenk. 1: 134 (1827).
= Parmelia scortella Nyl., Flora 68: 615 (1885).
This species is characterized by the fragile thallus,
narrow lobes (0.5–1.5mm wide) with dense bulbate cilia
which become apically branched, cylindrical, simple or
94 Mycosystema
branched isidia, a pale brown to dark brown lower
surface, and by producing gyrophoric acid in the medulla
(K–, C+ rose, P–). Hale (1976) pointed out that this
species is morphologically quite variable. Specimens
from America and South Africa have brown lower
surface with pale, richly branched rhizines, while
specimens from Philippines have brown-black lower
surface with sparsely branched rhizines. Only one
Chinese specimen of this species was examined, and this
had a dark brown to black lower surface with slender,
pale brown, richly branched rhizines. This species is
distinguished from B. isidiza and B. tabacina by the
presence of gyrophoric acid.
Bulbothrix goebelii is a pantropical species known
from North, Central and South America, West Indies,
southern Africa, Papua New Guinea, Australia, India,
Thailand, Philippines and Taiwan (Hale 1976; Elix 1996;
Kurokawa & Lai 2001; Divakar & Upreti 2005). In
China this species was previously known only from
Taiwan (Hale 1976; Kurokawa & Lai 2001). New to
mainland China.
Specimens examined: China. Wuyishan Mts.
Fujian, 850m, J.B. Chen & S.L. Wang 14127.
2. Bulbothrix isidiza (Nyl.) Hale, Phytologia 28: 480
(1974)
≡ Parmelia isidiza Nyl., Bol. Soc. Brot. 3: 130
(1884).
=Parmelia subscortea Asahina, J. Jap. Bot. 32: 99
(1957).
Typus: China. Taiwan, Asahina 3324; (TNS,
lectotype, selected by Hale 1976).
This species is characterized by lobes with cilia
which are distinctly inflated at the base, a often maculate
upper surface with dense isidia, a brown lower surface
with simple rhizines, and by producing medullary
salazinic acid. It is closely related to B. tabacina, from
which it is distinguished by the brown lower surface and
broad, rotund lobes. Some Chinese specimens of this
species are emaculate and these could be confused with
B. australiensis Hale, but the latter species has narrower
lobes (0.8–2.0mm versus 1.5–4.0mm wide). Hale (1976)
recorded ascospores for B. isidiza in the range 7–14 ×
5–8µm. Although most specimens from China lack
apothecia, one fertile specimen had somewhat larger
spores (15–18 × 7–11µm).
Bulbothrix isidiza is a pantropical species which is
particularly common in Africa (Hale 1976; Kurokawa &
Lai 2001). In China, this species has been previously
reported from Zhejiang (Xu 1989), Taiwan (Hale 1976;
Kurokawa & Lai 2001) and Hong Kong (Thrower 1988;
Aptroot & Seaward 1999).
Representative specimens examined: China.
Wuyishan Mts., Fujian, 740m, J.B. Chen & S.L. Wang
14082. Longsheng county, Guangxi, 760m, J.B. Chen et
al. 20178. Mt. Wuzhishang, Hainan, 780–1200m, J.B.
Chen et al. 20595, 20658. Mt. Emeishan, Sichuan,
2850m. Y. Wang 9424. Mt. Yulongshan Yunnan, Ahti et
al. 46114; Kunming, J.D. Zhao & Y.B. Chen 4699.
Chitou, Nantou, Taiwan, S. Kurokawa 1386. Victoria
Peak, Hong Kong, S. Kurokawa 2302; Mt. Taimoshan,
Thrower 2545.
3. Bulbothrix setschwanensis (Zahlbr.) Hale, Phytologia
28: 481 (1974)
≡ Parmelia setschwanensis Zahlbr. in
Handel-Mazzetti, Symb. Sin. 3: 184 (1930).
Typus: China. Sichuan, Handel-Mazzetti 2739; WU,
lectotype, selected by Hale (1976).
This species is characterized by thalli with relatively
wide lobes (2–6mm wide) with crenate margins, the
absence of soredia, isidia and maculae, a pale brown
lower surface with brown to dark brown, simple rhizines,
and by producing salazinic acid in the medulla (K+ red,
C–, P+ orange-red). It resembles B. meizospora (Nyl.)
Hale, but the latter species has a jet-black lower surface.
The ascospores of this species have been reported to be
12–19 × 6–9µm (Hale 1976) or 12–18 × 6–10µm
(Zahlbruckner 1930). We found the ascospores to be
somewhat larger, 12–22 × 7–12µm.
Bulbothrix setschwanensis is known from India,
Nepal and China (Hale 1976; Divakar & Upreti 2005). In
China, this species has been previously reported from
Sichuan (Hale 1976; Zahlbruckner 1930) and Yunnan
(Zahlbruckner 1934).
Representative specimens examined: China.
Zhangmu, Tibet, 2450m, J.C. Wei & J.B. Chen 673.
Gongshan, Yunnan, 1200–2600m, J.J. Su 2089, 2324,
2747, 3495.
4. Bulbothrix tabacina (Mont. & Bosch) Hale,
Phytologia 28: 481 (1974)
≡ Parmelia tabacina Mont. & Bosch in J.P.F.C.
Vol.28 No.1 95
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Montagne, Syll. Gen. Sp. Crypt.: 327 (1856) and in
F.A.W. Miquel, Pl. Jungh. 4: 443 (1855 or 1857).
This species is characterized by a maculate upper
surface with small isidia (less than 0.5mm high), cilia
which are distinctly inflated at the base, a black lower
surface with dense, black rhizines and a narrow, brown,
naked marginal zone near the lobe tips, and by producing
salazinic acid in the medulla. It resembles B. isidiza but
has a black rather than a brown lower surface. Bulbothrix
decurtata (Kurok.) Hale from Africa is also similar in
bearing isidia and having a black lower surface, but is
distinguished by isidia with blackened apices and its
preference for saxicolous substrata (Hale 1976).
Bulbothrix tabacina is a widely distributed
pantropical species. In China this species has only
previously been reported from Taiwan (Hale 1976;
Kurokawa & Lai 2001). New to mainland China.
Representative specimens examined: China.
Wuyishan Mts., Fujian, 550–740m, J.B. Chen et al.
14068, 14085, 14092, 14780. Shangsi county, Guangxi,
370–460m, J.B. Chen et al. 20464-1, 20465. Mt.
Jianfengling, Hainan, 850m, J.B. Chen et al. 20792. Mt.
Mangshan, Hunan, J.B. Chen et al. 21040. Xishuang-
banna district, Yunnan, J.B. Chen 5564.
5. Bulbothrix yunnana S.L.Wang, J.B. Chen & Elix,
Mycotaxon 76: 293 (2000).
Typus: China. Zhongdian, Yunnan, 3700m, 14 Aug.
1981, X.Y. Wang, X. Xiao & J.J. Su 5669; HMAS-L,
holotype; CANB, isotype.
This species is characterized by lobes with a narrow
black rim, numerous laminal lobules, marginal cilia
which are weakly inflated at the base, a black lower
surface with black, simple to squarrose rhizines, and by
producing caperatic acid in the medulla (K–, C–, KC–,
P–). This species is similar to B. suffixa (Stirt.) Hale
(1976) in morphology, but the latter species has distinctly
inflated cilia and ciliate lobules, and contains gyrophoric
acid in the medulla. At present B. yunnana is only known
from the type locality (Wang et al. 2000) and is endemic
to China.
2.3 The genus Relicina
Relicina (Hale & Kurok.) Hale, Phytologia 28: 484
(1974).
Species of Relicina are characterized by yellow-
green thalli, lobes with marginal bulbate ciliate and a
palisade-plectenchymatous upper cortex with a pored
epicortex (lacking pseudocyphellae). They are similar to
species of Bulbothrix but are distinguished by the
yellow-green thalli due to the presence of usnic acid in
the cortex. Relicina comprises ca. 50 species worldwide
and has centres of speciation in south-east Asia and
Australasia (Hale 1974, 1975; Elix 1994b, 1996). Two
species of Relicina occur in mainland China, both of
which are new records.
1. Relicina abstrusa (Vain.) Hale, Phytologia 28: 484
(1974)
≡ Parmelia abstrusa Vain., Acta Soc. Fauna Fl.
Fenn.7: 64 (1890)
This species is characterized by the presence of
laminal isidia, a jet-black lower surface and the
production of medullary norstictic and connorstictic
acids. Chemically R. abstrusa is similar to R.
subabstrusa (Gyeln.) Hale, but the latter species lacks
isidia. Another isidiate species, R. sydneyensis has a
brown lower surface and produces norstictic and stictic
acids in the medulla. Relicina abstrusa is widely
distributed in tropical and subtropical regions including
South America, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia,
the Comoro Islands and Australia (Elix 1996; Divakar &
Upreti 2005). In China this species has been previously
reported from Taiwan (Asahina 1952, Kurokawa 1965;
Kurokawa & Lai 2001) and Hongkong (Thrower 1988,
Aptroot & Seaward 1999). New to mainland China.
Specimens examined: China. Shangsi, Guangxi,
390m, J.B. Chen et al. 20441, 20451. Bawangling,
Hainan, 1000m, Y.M. Jiang & S.Y. Guo 288; Mt.
Wuzhishan, 950m, J.B. Chen et al. 20629.
2. Relicina sydneyensis (Gyeln.) Hale, Phytologia 28:
485 (1974)
≡ Parmelia sydneyensis Gyeln., Ann. Mycol. 36:
292 (1938)
= Parmelia subturgida Kurok., J. Jap. Bot. 40: 268
(1965)
This species is characterized by narrow lobes
(0.8–2.0mm wide), an isidiate upper surface, a brown
lower surface, and by the presence of norstictic and
stictic acids in the medulla. It is closely related to R.
limbata (Laurer) Hale, but the latter species lacks isidia.
Relicina sydneyensis is known from Japan, Indonesia,
India, Australia and Papua New Guinea. In China this
96 Mycosystema
species has previously been reported from Taiwan
(Kurokawa 1965; Kurokawa & Lai 2001; Divakar &
Upreti 2005). New to mainland China.
Specimens examined: China. Bawangling, Hainan,
1000m, Y.M. Jiang & S.Y. Guo 310, 311; Mt.
Wuzhishan, 1200m, Y.M. Jiang & S.Y. Guo 1052; J.B.
Chen et al. 20620, 20641-1, 20699.

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