Redonographa

In 2013, lichenologists Robert Lücking, Anders Tehler, and Helge Thorsten Lumbsch proposed the new subfamily Redonographoideae to contain a lineage of lichen-forming fungi distinct from the Graphidaceae subfamilies Fissurinoideae and Graphidoideae. They introduced the genus Redonographa with Redonographa chilensis assigned its type species. Four species were initially included in the genus; a fifth was added in 2020. The genus is named in honour of Jorge Redón Figueroa (botany professor at Viña del Mar University and a professor emeritus at both the University of Chile (Faculty of Sciences) and the University of Valparaíso (Institute of Oceanology) for his significant contributions to Chilean lichenology. In 2020, Lumbsch proposed the family Redonographaceae, with the authority "(Lücking, Tehler & Lumbsch) Lumbsch, stat nov.". In botanical taxonomy, "stat. nov." is an abbreviation for the Latin term "status novus," ("new status"), and is used to indicate that an existing taxon (in this case, the subfamily Redonographoideae) has been reclassified or reassigned to a different rank or status within the taxonomic hierarchy. ==Description==

The genus Redonographa is distinct from Carbacanthographis due to its predominantly saxicolous growth habit, meaning it grows on rocks, and its predominantly smooth , which are hair-like extensions found in the . The thallus, or outer layer of the lichen body, is relatively thick and varies in appearance from continuous to . It may be , meaning it lacks a , or feature a compacted . The lirellae, or fruiting structures, of Redonographa lichens can be to prominent and display a variety of forms, from unbranched to stellate (star-like) branching or even appearing in clusters. These lirellae are surrounded by a basal to almost complete . As they mature, their , or outer covering, becomes fully , arching over the hymenium and featuring short, smooth or apically warty above it. The hymenium of these lichens is clear. Each ascus, or spore-producing sac, in Redonographa lichens contains eight . These spores are ellipsoid to oblong in shape and have 3–5 transverse septa or are somewhat with 3–5 transverse and 0–2 longitudinal septa per segment. The spores have thickened septa and lens-shaped to rounded , and they are transparent. These ascospores exhibit a negative iodine (Lugol) reaction. In terms of secondary chemistry, Redonographa lichens produce norstictic acid. ==Species==

Central and northern Chile appears to be the centre of diversity for Redonographa. • Redonographa chilensis – Chile • Redonographa galapagoensis – Galapagos Islands • Redonographa parvispora – Mexico • Redonographa saxiseda – Chile • Redonographa saxorum – California and Baja California; Galapagos Islands ==References==