Galapagos Species Database

The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.

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Ramalina fragilis Aptroot & Bungartz

ramalina frágil, Fragile ramalina

Ramalina fragilis type specimen Photo: CDS.
Ramalina fragilis type specimen Photo: CDS.

Thallus dull, shrubby, up to 3 cm diam., upright or irregularly spreading, fragile, with very few branches, rather pale grey and resembling a small Roccella; branches terete, up to c. 1 mm diam., but usually much thinner; soralia discrete, capitate, whitish, up to c. 1 mm diam. Apothecia and pycnidia unknown. Chemistry: Medulla K-, UV- (no substances) or K+ pinkish, UV- (sekikaic acid); cortex with usnic acid and often atranorin

Because of its similarity to Roccella, the small, pale thalli with terete, fragile branches can hardly be confused with any other Ramalina species in the Galapagos. Although it is very distinct, this small species may easily be overlooked.

Taxonomy

Domain
Eukaryota

Kingdom
Fungi

Phylum
Ascomycota

Class
Lecanoromycetes

Order
Lecanorales

Family
Ramalinaceae

Genus
Ramalina

Species
fragilis

Taxon category: Accepted

In Weber (1986) as Niebla sp. nov. ined.; Typus: ECUADOR, Galapagos, San Cristóbal, near Tortugueria Cerro Colorado, on lava cliff, 130 m alt., 2 June 2005, A. Aptroot 63419 (CDS 30174—holotypus; ABL—isotypus).

Origin: Endemic

Status

Vulnerable

References

  • Aptroot, A. Bungartz, F. (2007) The Lichen Genus Ramalina on the Galapagos. The Lichenologist 39: 519-542.
  • Bungartz, F. Parrinello, C. (2021) Ramalina fragilis. Bungartz, F. & Parrinello, C. 2021. Ramalina fragilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T97459969A97462842. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T97459969A97462842.en. Downloaded on 07 October 2021.
  • Weber, W.A. (1986) The Lichen Flora of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Mycotaxon 27: 451-497.

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This page should be cited as follows:

"Galapagos Species Database, Ramalina fragilis", dataZone. Charles Darwin Foundation, https://datazone.darwinfoundation.org/en/checklist/?species=3320. Accessed 1 November 2026.