Alectoria brodoana

Alectoria brodoana
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Alectoria
Species:
A. brodoana
Binomial name
Alectoria brodoana
Essl. (2016)
Holotype: Cerro la Peña, Mexico

Alectoria brodoana is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), fruticose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It was formally described as a new species in 2016 by the American lichenologist Theodore Esslinger. The species epithet brodoana honors the emeritus scientist and lichenologist Irwin M. Brodo.

Found only in Mexico, Alectoria brodoana is restricted to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Oaxaca and the southern Sierra Madre Oriental in Veracruz. It typically grows on pine trees in montane habitats at elevations between 2,000 and 3,800 m (6,600 and 12,500 ft).

Alectoria brodoana is identified by the C+ (red) medulla, indicating the presence of olivetoric acid. It is chemically similar to Alectoria mexicana, and has been historically mistaken for this species. It is morphologically similar to the widespread Alectoria lata.