New species for the lichen biota of Kazakhstan from the western part of the Chulak ridge

This article presents information on two newly identified lichen species in Kazakhstan: Scytinium palmatum (Huds.) Gray and Anaptychia roemeri Poelt. Both species were located on the Chulak (Sholak) ridge, the southern extension of the Dzhungar Alatau. Both species are accompanied by synonyms, nomenclatural citations of primary sources, original anatomical and morphological descriptions, specific location points (including coordinates, collection date, and collector's name), environmental characteristics, and general distribution (including adjacent territories). The original descriptions document the life form, coloration, and characteristics of the upper and lower surfaces of the thallus, the presence, nature, and positioning of attachment organs, as well as the type, dimensions, and location of soredia, isidia, and pycnidia on the thallus. Additionally, they specify the type of thallus, the shape and size of asci, the presence and structure of paraphyses, and the type, color, size, and quantity of ascospores within each ascus. The outcomes of chemical staining are also shown. Scytinium palmatum is observed to be sterile throughout Kazakhstan and the majority of Europe. The species is uncommon in southeastern Kazakhstan and is included in the Catalog of rare and endangered flora of the Almaty area. No apothecia were seen in the thalli of Anaptychia roemeri. The origin of the Protoanaptychia section, to which this species belongs, is presumed to be linked to the hilly areas of Central Asia. Moreover, there exist strong correlations between the lichen floras of the Caucasus and Central Asia, since all four kinds of the section are documented in these areas.