Specimen #14: Candle Wax Lichen

Ahtiana sp.

Fig. 1 Upper cortex of Ahtiana  with soredia present

Figure 2. apothecia of Ahtiana

Figure 3. K- upper cortex of Ahtiana

Figure 4. rhizines of Ahtiana

Figure 5. Ahtiana

Phylum: Ascomycota
Family: Permeliaceae
Genus: Ahtiana
Common name: Candle Wax Lichen
Collection date: 11/7/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: Found on a fallen twig in Hiram Ohio
Description: This foliose lichen was found tightly adhered to a downed twig. The upper cortex is a green-gray (fig. 5) with soredia  prominent under a dissecting scope (fig. 1). Brown apothecia of various sizes cover much of the surface of the lichen (fig. 2). The upper cortex is K- and made up of narrow lobes(fig. 3). The lower cortex and rhizines are pale in color(fig. 4).
Key Used: Showan, R. E. & D. G. Flenniken. (2004). The Macrolichens of Ohio. Columbus, Ohio; Ohio Biological Survey.

1. Thallus foliose...
2. Thallus some shade of gray, green, yellow-green, brown, or black; not as above...
4. Thallus thick or thin, not gelatinous when wet; white medullary fibers usually apparent; color various...
6. Rhizines present from lower surface...
11. Parithecia absent; apothecia, if present, saucer-shaped and superficial on the surface of the thallus...
13. Thallus not umbilicate, attached to the substrate by a mat of short, numerous rhizines; on rock, soil, or bark...
15. Thallus contains green algae...
19. Medulla white or whitish, sometimes stained pale buff or pink due to aging, chemicals, or weathering...
24. Thallus various, but without paw-shaped, or fist-shaped lobe tips...
26. Lower surface with sparse to moderate or occasionally numerous rhizines, variable in color and length but not forming a uniform, brown, velvety nap...
28. Upper cortex K- or K+ weak yellow (atronorin); lobes variable in width...
29. Lower surface with a cortex throughout; lobes narrow or broad; K+ or K-...
30. Thallus without pores, may be uniform or variously cracked, ridged, or white-maculate...
35. Thallus soe shade of gray, gray-green, greenish, brown, or gray-brown...
36. Thallus some gray, gray-green, or greenish in color...
38. Lobes generally narrow and linear, 0.5-6 mm wide, apically obtuse; thallus usually adnate to appressed...
42. Under-surface white to tan...
43. Apothecia and/or pycnidia common, marginal; lobes ascending...

Ahtiana sp.

For more information on Ahtiana please review the following links:
http://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=52023
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3242678?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
https://books.google.com/books?id=YyS-hS15Ty4C&pg=PA149&dq=ahtiana&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAGoVChMIuLG5_tyTyQIVRSQmCh2Mtgs2#v=onepage&q=ahtiana&f=false