Two new species of Malmidea from north-eastern Brazil

Two new species, Malmidea pallidoatlantica and Malmidea sulphureosorediata, are described from NE Brazil. The first is close to M. atlantica but differs by the hyaline or pale hypothecium. The second species is a bright golden yellow sorediate crust which is assigned to the genus Malmidea because it contains the same anthraquinone pigment as M. atlantica and M. pallidoatlantica. The three species together could be referred to as the Malmidea atlantica group. Both new species were found in Mata Atlântica fragments. Malmidea sulphureosorediata was found in the Serra da Jibóia, a mountain range with a maximum elevation of 800 m, in a transitional area between the Atlantic forest and Caatinga vegetation in Bahia State. Malmidea pallidoatlantica was found in Mata do Crasto, one of the most important Atlantic forest remnants in Sergipe. It is a well-preserved Mata Atlântica relict of c. 700 hectares, at sea level.