Research Paper

Taxonomic notes on the genus Awasthiella (lichenized ascomycetes) from India

Vishal Kumar, Dalip Kumar Upreti, Sanjeeva Nayaka, Yash Pal Sharma

Published on: 26 June 2026

Page: 546 - 551

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.546

Abstract

As a part of ongoing revisionary studies of the Indian Verrucariaceae, the type specimen of Awasthiella indica was re-examined, which revealed additional characters for the genus. Additionally, A. amarkantakana is proposed as new to science. The new species is characterized by continuous to rimose-areolate, pale-grey to brownish-grey thallus, completely immersed perithecia arising marginally to submarginally, 8-spored asci and simple, hyaline ascospores measuring 20–30 × 7–12.5 µm. The new taxon is distributed in central and south India.

Keyword: Awasthiella amarkantakana, Awasthiella indica, central India, diversity, revision, taxonomy, Verrucariales

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