New species or interesting records of foliicolous lichens .2. Flavobathelium epiphyllum (Lichenized Ascomycetes: Melanommatales)

Flavobathelium epiphyllum gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new taxon is characterized by perithecia and pycnidia embedded in pulverulaceous, uni- to plurilocular pseudostromata, small, transversely septate ascospores, and the presence of bacillar to filiform macroconidia 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 found along moderately illuminated parts of the understory, such as small, natural light gaps. (C) 1997 The British Lichen Society.