Ramalina hyrcana Sipman

Sharifi, Maryam, Mehregan, Iraj, Sohrabi, Mohammad, Larijani, Kambiz & Sipman, Harrie, 2025, A synopsis of the lichen genus Ramalina (Ramalinaceae) in Iran, Phytotaxa 702 (3), pp. 255-273 : 263-264

Ramalina hyrcana Sipman ; Mycobank #517808

Phytotaxa 18: 100 (2011). Type:— Iran. Golestan: Gonbad-e-Kavus district, along road from Khan Bebin to Shirabad waterfall, 120 m, deciduous forest with

Parrotia persica and Carpinus , on Pterocarya trunk, October 2007, Sipman et al. 55201 (holotype Iran, isotypes B, hb. Sohrabi

9432!) ( Lumbsch et al. 2011).

Thallus fruticose, forming hairy cushions, 1 to 5 cm wide, densely dichotomously branched. Lobes 0.2–1.1 mm wide, flat with the rounded margins, the surface occasionally slightly striate, densely branched with strap-like lobes, apical branchlets with hooked tips. Soralia present, mainly marginal, round to elongate with fairly raised thalline rim, oriented downward. Soredia principally produced on the underside of ± horizontal lobes. Pseudocyphellae absent. Apothecia and pycnidia unknown.

Chemistry: Medulla spot tests K–, C–, KC–, PD–, UV–; TLC: Usnic and sekikaic acids.

Ecology and distribution: Ramalina hyrcana is so far known from Iran only. The first report is from 1902, when Bornmüller gathered this species in the Hyrcanian Forest. It is typically found in wooded areas along the Caspian coast in Iran, at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 400 m. This lichen species grows on tree trunks and can tolerate significant shade ( Lumbsch et al. 2011). Further reports are Bokaeian et al. (2016), Sipman & Ordaya (2023), Vaez & Davarpanah (2021), Valadbeigi & Shaddel (2016).

Note: Ramalina hyrcana is often found together with the very similar R. farinacea and R. pollinaria . They share a deeply divided thallus with strap-like lobes and marginal soralia. Chemically it differs from the others by the presence of sekikaic acid. In R. farinacea the soralia are lateral and remain so, without turning downward. In Iran, strains of R. farinacea are known to have norstictic, salazinic, and protocetraric acids. R. pollinaria deviates by producing evernic acid and it has fewer regular thallus divisions with wider lobes, up to 3 mm. Its soralia sometimes turn downward and often become granular. Ramalina hyrcana is more similar to R. peruviana Ach. and R. nervulosa (Müll. Arg.) Des Abb. , in terms of soralia presence, thallus shape, and chemistry ( Krog & Swinscow 1976, Lumbsch et al. 2011, Swinscow & Krog 1988). In contrast to both, its soralia points downward and the lobes often get a dorsiventral aspect. R. nervulosa is mostly reported in the Tropics and has also been documented in Yemen ( Sipman 2002). However, it should be considered as insufficiently known because no ITS sequences are available to confirm identifications. The lobes of R. peruviana are mostly cylindrical ( Stevens 1987, Swinscow & Krog 1988). Sequencing suggests a close affinity between R. hyrcana and R. peruviana ( Sipman & Ordaya 2023) .

Specimens examined: GOLESTAN PROVINCE: Gonbad-e-Kavus district, along the road from Khan Bebin to Shirabad waterfall, 120 m, on deciduous tree with Parrotia persica and Carpinus , on Pterocarya trunk, October 2007, Sipman et al. 55201 [holotype Iran, isotypes B], 9432 (herb. Sohrabi), 30212 (ICH). MAZANDARAN PROVINCE: Farim, 5 km from Shahid Rajaie Dam, 36.220084N, 53.272434E, 921 m, 19 November 2017, on the bark of a deciduous tree, M. Sohrabi 30186 (herb. Sohrabi); Zirab district, surroundings of the biological station the Shahid Beheshti University, 36.16950N, 52.96856E, 500 m, 12 April 2014, on the bark of a deciduous tree, T. Akhtar 16789 (ICH, herb. Sohrabi); Farim, 5 km from Shahid Rajaie Dam, 36.220084N, 53.272434E, 921 m, 23 november 2017, on the bark of the deciduous tree, M. Sohrabi 30212 (ICH), 30190, 30196, 30203, 30208)(herb. Sohrabi).