Chemosyndromic Variation in the Parmelia pulla Group

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Abstract
Eighteen species of races of the widespread and variable P. pulla group provide the 2nd example od chemosyndromic variation in lichens, a pattern first discovered in Cetrelia. The chemistry of the P. pulla groups involves biogenetically related orcinol derivatives including the new depside oxostenosporic acid, for which the structure is determined microchemically, and 2 other new depsides tentatively identified as the 4-O-demethyl derivatives of divaricatic and stenosporic acids. Although the total chemistry of the P. pulla group is more complex than that of Cetrelia, the patterns of joint occurrences of orcinol-type depsides are similar and in both may involve partial enzyme specificities related to hydrophobic side chains on the phenolic secondary products. Four new species from the southern hemisphere are described: P. scabrella Essl. (South Africa), P. pictada Essl. (New Zealand), P. verrucella Essl. (South Africa, Australia and New Zealand) and P. subverrucella Essl. (Australia). [other taxa include P. adpicta, P. bratti, P. delisei, P. loxodella, P. loxodes, P. luteonotata, P. pokornyi, P. pulla (2 races), P. pustulosa, P. ryssolea (2 races), P. verruculifera and P. waiporiensis].