Ramalina sinensis Jatta

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 : 268

Ramalina sinensis Jatta ; Mycobank #403831

G. bot. ital., n. s. 9: 462 (1902)

Type:― China,’sui tronchi e sui fructici nelle colline basse di Fu-Kio’ (not seen) ( Krog & James 1977).

Thallus fruticose, loosely tufted or scattered, erect, straw-colored to green, often shorter than 6 cm in tall, arising from a holdfast at the base. Lobes fan-shaped, rigid, flaccid when wet, flattened and broad, up to 20–30 mm wide, palmately divided or simple. Soredia, isidia, pseudocyphellae and pycnidia absent. Apothecia abundant, subterminal.

Chemistry: Medulla spot tests K–, C–, KC–, PD–, UV–; TLC: Usnic acid (atranorin traces reported in North America) ( Nimis & Martellos 2024).

Ecology and distribution: Ramalina sinensis was first reported for Iran by Szatala (1957) from Gorgan. Next it was gathered in Mazandaran, by Weber in 1964 (GBIF, accessed 2024) and has been reported afterwards for Iran frequently ( Szatala 1957, Sohrabi 2005a,b, Sohrabi & Alstrup 2007, Seaward et al. 2008, Moniri 2009, Moniri & Sipman 2009, Sohrabi et al. 2010, Sohrabi & Ramezani 2010, Es-hagh Nimvari et al. 2013, 2016, Es-hagh Nimvar & Mataji 2014, Safavi et al. 2015, Nazari et al. 2018, Safarkar et al. 2020, Sohrabi & Sipman 2007, 2020, Arjaghi et al. 2021). This conspicuous species is commonly found across Asia, Eastern Europe, and North America ( Hermansson & Kudryavtseva 1995, Brodo et al. 2001, Hedenas et al. 2006, Li et al. 2007). The species is particularly widespread in Russia ( Hermansson & Kudryavtseva 1995). In the countries surrounding Iran it is reported from Armenia (Gasparyan & Sipman 2016) and from Turkey ( John & Türk 2017).

Note: Among the Iranian species of Ramalina , R. sinensis is unmistakable by its fan-shaped thalli without soralia, usually with apothecia. Outside Iran, Ramalina sinensis Jatta is most easily confused with R. palmiformis , which produces boninic acid and has smaller ascospores ( Nash et al. 2004).

Specimens examined: EAST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE: Jolfa, Jolfa to Khoda-Afarin , Missan village , around village and the closest forests, 38.860576N, 46.445788E, 1000–1500 m, 25 May 1999, on the bark of deciduous tree, M. Sohrabi 109, 1408 (herb. Sohrabi) ; Jolfa to Khoda-Afarin, Missan village , the closest forest, 38.84240N, 46.43955E, 1000–1500 m, 5 June 2003, M. Sohrabi 1412 ( NY, ICH, herb. Sohrabi), 1455 ( TNS, ICH, herb. Sohrabi) ; Kalibar district, Arasbaran, 16 km S. E of Asheqlu along road to Aynalu , 38.9N, 46.8E, 1400 m, 5 November 2007, Sipman, M. Sohrabi, Søchting & Asef 101187 (B), Jolfa, Jolfa to Khoda-Afarin, Missan village and the closest forest, 38.861095N, 46.444488E, 1000–1250 m, 15 July 2001, Corticolous, on the bark of deciduous trees, M. Sohrabi 145 ( TNS, herb. Sohrabi). GOLESTAN PROVINCE: Golestan forest, 37.3N, 56.0E, 925 m, 23 January 2003, Maassoumi & Safavi 21337 (B) ; Gorgan to Ali-Abbad, Ghorogh Forest Park, 36.87751N, 54.6969E, 100–150 m, 30 September 2002, on twigs and bark of a deciduous tree, M. Sohrabi 1764 (herb. Sohrabi) ; Gorgan district, Tuskestan Forest, c. 20 km SE of Gorgan along minor road to Shahrud , 36.7N, 54.6E, 1800 m, 28 October 2007, Sipman, Sohrabi, Søchting & Zare 100979 (B) ; Kordkuy, 5 km toward Radkan , 36.7N, 54.1E, 300–1800 m, 28 January 2003, Maassoumi & Safavi 21392 (B) ; ca. 12 km from Aliabad toward Zaringol, 36.8N, 55.0E, 420 m, 29 January 2003, Maassoumi & Safavi 21598 (B). SEMNAN PROVINCE: Shahroud , 60 km N of Shahroud, Abr village, 7.5 km NW of Abr, SE of the road towards Shirin Abad, 36.737878N, 55.054146E, 2103 m, 20 May 2016, On the bark of Quercus trees, M. Sohrabi 16917 (herb. Sohrabi) .