NEW SPECIES OR INTERESTING RECORDS OF FOLIICOLOUS LICHENS .2. FLAVOBATHELIUM-EPIPHYLLUM (LICHENIZED ASCOMYCETES, MELANOMMATALES)

Flavobathelium epiphyllum gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrate d. The new taxon is characterized by perithecia and pycnidia embedded in pulverulaceous, uni- to plurilocular pseudostromata, small, transve rsely septate ascospores, and the presence of bacillar to filiform mac roconidia with gelatinous appendages and simple microconidia. Possible relationships are seen with the genus Phyliobathelium. Flavobathelium epiphyllum is a common species in Central and South American lowland to submontane rain forests with undisturbed vegetation. It is mostly f ound along moderately illuminated parts of the understory, such as sma ll, natural light gaps. (C) 1997 The British Lichen Society.