# Talk:Punctelia graminicola

This review is transcluded from Talk:Punctelia graminicola/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.
Reviewer: Hughesdarren (talk · contribs) 03:30, 1 May 2022 (UTC)

Disclaimer: This is my second review, and I'm not an expert in this area although I do have a Science degree. Regards. Hughesdarren (talk) 03:32, 1 May 2022 (UTC)

There are no citations at all in the lead, while the points in the lead are in the body of the article and appear to be referenced there it just looks unusual to me. Also does not violate MOS:LEAD. What do you think?
I think it generally complies with the standard expectations for leads. AFAIK, lead citations are only necessary for quotes and contentious material that is likely to be challenged, neither of which applies here. Esculenta (talk) 20:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
No problems, just a comment. Had to check the MOS myself. Hughesdarren (talk) 12:53, 2 May 2022 (UTC)
Lead says in North America, South America and East Africa. Should these be linked? Is this all the same sort of climatic region like tropical or subtropical? Is this worthy of mention?
The sources don't generalize a climatic region preference for this species, so I'm reluctant to do so. MOS:OVERLINK says to not link generally well-known locations. Esculenta (talk) 20:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
No worries, thought I'd ask. Hughesdarren (talk) 12:53, 2 May 2022 (UTC)
The part about the type specimen being lost in Dunkirk is fascinating, especially since WWII was in full swing then.
I thought so too! Esculenta (talk) 20:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
Lead says a couple of year later, would saying In 1982 be better?
There I'm deliberately trying to avoid the "In year" construction, as I tend to overuse it! Esculenta (talk) 20:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
Fair enough, me too probably. Hughesdarren (talk) 12:53, 2 May 2022 (UTC)
The part about the samples being recovered from landfill is also fascinating. This species has quite a history.
Some tangentially relevant info is available at Maurice Bouly de Lesdain. Esculenta (talk) 20:23, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
Another intersting article of yours. Hughesdarren (talk) 12:53, 2 May 2022 (UTC)
In the taxonomy section it says the species was first formally described as Parmelia graminicola in 1942, but the year in the taxobox for that name is 1959 (which agrees with reference 1). Then is reference 6 it says 1942?? Am I missing something here or is one incorrect?
I missed this before, so thanks for finding it! The 1959 date is an error, and I will send off an email to Index Fungorum to alert them. Esculenta (talk) 20:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
No worries, glad to help. Hughesdarren (talk) 12:53, 2 May 2022 (UTC)
In the taxonomy section the gramini- part of the species name is explained, does the -cola part mean anything?
Found the answer and added. Esculenta (talk) 20:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
Nice work. Tidies the name up nicely. Hughesdarren (talk) 12:53, 2 May 2022 (UTC)
In the description section it says "The upper thallus surface is blue-grey, often with brown margins" but reference 6 says "Thallus greenish gray or brownish in herbarium".
I've added these extra details to the description. Esculenta (talk) 20:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
Thanks for that. Hughesdarren (talk) 12:53, 2 May 2022 (UTC)
paraplenctenchymatou is a nice piece of jargon, thanks for the inline explanation.
In the description section (according to reference 13) the epicortex is 3-7 cells thick, made up of two layers. This is not mentioned in the article. Do you think it is worth mentioning at least to explain why it is easily ruptured? I found this part interesting (as a layman).
Sure, I've added some details. Esculenta (talk) 00:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Cheers. Hughesdarren (talk) 11:21, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
In the description section should "They produce conidia that are usually like short, translucent rods measuring 5–6 by 1 μm" read as "They produce conidia that are usually like short, translucent rods having a length of 5-6μm and a width of 1 μm" This how I'm interpreting it.
I've changed to your wording, which says the same thing and is clearer. Esculenta (talk) 00:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Cheers. Hughesdarren (talk) 11:21, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
In the last paragraph is the description the comparison is made between P. graminicola and P. hypoleucites. In reference 13 the species is compared with P. colombiana. P. roseola and others. Is there any reason none of these comparisons are made?
I think adding anatomical differences between these species (determinable only by an expert with a microscope) could be veering a bit too far into specialist territory. Esculenta (talk) 00:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Yes, good point. Hughesdarren (talk) 11:21, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Much of the rest of the description is from reference 12. But some of what is written is confirmed by reference 6. (This mostly a note to self - I imagine there is no online copy of Lichens of Mexico. The Parmeliaceae – Keys, distribution and specimen descriptions?)
Actually, there are sample pages from this book available as a PDF from here, and helpfully, it includes the description of this species. Esculenta (talk) 00:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Wow, I did google it but couldn't immediately see anything. Thanks for that. Hughesdarren (talk) 11:21, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
The habitat and distribution are all from printed texts. Reference 2 and 4 confirm the presence in Africa and N. America. Is there any more information on habitat that could be added like does is occur in forests or grassland or something. Does this species prefer any kind of rock type?
Couldn't find anything more to add about habitat, but I did find  list of rocks it has been recorded growing on, so that has been added. Esculenta (talk) 00:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
I checked the 1980 Culberson paper again and found some choice tidbits to add about habitat. Esculenta (talk) 00:51, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Thanks for that. Hughesdarren (talk) 11:21, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Again this question will display my complete ignorance of the topic and I'm only asking our of curiosity. Does this lichen have any uses, does it play any part in chemical weathering of rocks, is it used as a food source by anything else in the ecosystem?
I'm sure it does have use as a food source by some types of animals (many lichens are), but there haven't been any studies (to my knowledge) that investigate this. As a saxicolous lichen, it probably does have some slight effect on rock weathering, but not to the extent that it is discussed in sources. Esculenta (talk) 00:26, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
No worries, thought I'd ask. Hughesdarren (talk) 11:21, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Thankyou for all of your prompt and candid responses. Great job on the article and congratulations. Hughesdarren (talk) 11:46, 4 May 2022 (UTC)
Thanks for reviewing! Esculenta (talk) 12:45, 4 May 2022 (UTC)