Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 January 2015
Stirtonia byssoidea, S. coei and S. latispora,all from coastal hammocks within Everglades National Park, are described as newto science. Stirtonia byssoidea is characterized by a felty byssoid thallus,conspicuous immersed white pruinose-like lirelliform ascigerous zones, smallascospores and the presence of perlatolic acid. It is closest to S.alba but has a different thallus type and much smaller ascospores.Stirtonia coei is recognized by its lirellate ascigerouszones raised well above a greyish crystallate thallus, large ascospores and alack of chemistry. It is closest to S. curvata but differs byits I+ blue thallus, strongly raised ascigerous zones and by havingno lichen substances. Stirtonia latispora can be identified byits white lirelliform ascigerous areas immersed in a greyish green thallus,large, broad ascospores with a conspicuously enlarged mid cell and lack ofsubstances. It would also key out close to S. curvata butdiffers by the aforementioned ascigerous zones, an I+ blue thallus,wider ascospores with a different locular configuration and its lack ofchemistry. A key to the six species known from the Neotropics is alsoprovided.