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Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-western Iran, dates back to more than 2500 years ago, and is colonized by a great diversity of lichen-forming fungi. A survey of the lichen-forming fungi revealed a species abundant in different areas of the cultural site, which turned out to be a new species of the genus Circinaria. The new species, Circinaria persepolitana , is introduced and described on the basis of morphological and molecular data. Circinaria persepolitana is characterized by having a crustose thallus, rimose to areolate, usually with bullate areoles, with an olive green to olive-brown surface and angular to elongate areoles in the marginal zone. Phylogenetic analyses including other species of the genus showed that the new species is phylogenetically close to C. mansourii , C. ochracea and C. reptans. We propose a new combination of Circinaria reptans (Looman) Sohrabi, Owe-Larsson & Paukov. The bioweathering capacity of the new species was also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, examining the interface between the lichen thallus and the lithic substratum to assess its potential threat to the conservation of heritage surfaces. We found this species to be a potential biodeteriogenic agent, as thalli were closely attached to the lithic substratum and biogeophysical and biogeochemical changes at the rock surface could be associated with the colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the diversity of foliicolous lichen-forming fungi has been explored in substantial depth, relatively little attention has been paid to their algal symbionts. We studied the unicellular green phycobionts of the lecanoralean lichens Bacidina (Ramalinaceae), Byssoloma , Fellhanera and Tapellaria (Pilocarpaceae) and graphidalean Gyalectidium (Gomphillaceae) from two extratropical foliicolous communities in continental Spain and the Canary Islands. We examined the pyrenoids of algal symbionts within thalli using TEM, and obtained several algal nrSSU and rbcL sequences from whole thalli, and also from cultures isolated from some of these lichens. Pyrenoid structure and molecular sequence data provided support for recognizing Chloroidium (Watanabeales , Trebouxiophyceae) as phycobiont in thalli of Byssoloma subdiscordans and Fellhanera bouteillei (Pilocarpaceae) in both communities. Bacidina apiahica (Ramalinaceae) and Tapellaria epiphylla (Pilocarpaceae) likewise appeared to partner with Chloroidium based on the presence of the same pyrenoid type, although we were able to obtain a phycobiont sequence only from a culture isolate of the latter. These results contrast with those obtained previously from a foliicolous lichen community in southern Florida, which revealed only strains of Heveochlorella (Jaagichlorella) as phycobiont of foliicolous Pilocarpaceae and Gomphillaceae. On the other hand, the pyrenoid we observed in the phycobionts associated with Gyalectidium setiferum and G. minus corresponded to that of Heveochlorella (Jaagichlorella). However, the poor quality of the phycobiont sequence data obtained from G. minus , probably due to the presence of epibiontic algae, could not provide additional perspective on the pyrenoid structure observations. Nonetheless, clear differences in pyrenoid ultrastructure can allow Chloroidium and Heveochlorella phycobionts to be distinguished from each other in TEM. Our results indicate a greater diversity of unicellular green-algal symbionts in foliicolous communities from Spain than previously observed in other geographical areas, and suggest that further studies focused on symbiont pairing in these communities might reveal distinctive and varied patterns of phycobiont preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new genus Nimisora Pérez-Ort., M. Svenss. & J. C. Zamora is introduced to accommodate a puzzling lecideoid epiphyte common in the central Iberian Peninsula. Nimisora is characterized by the following combination of characters: lecideoid apothecia, excipulum composed of sparingly branched radiating hyphae with narrow lumina, thick walls and swollen terminal cells, the presence of a brown K+ olivaceous green pigment in the epihymenium, an ascus tip similar to the Bacidia -type, and the presence of simple ellipsoid ascospores. Molecular analyses based on nrITS, nrLSU and mtSSU sequences unequivocally place the new genus within the Lecanoraceae ; however, its phylogenetic affinities with other genera of the family remain largely unresolved. Comparisons with the morphologically closest genera are provided. The single species of the genus, Nimisora iberica Pérez-Ort., Turégano, M. Svenss. & J. C. Zamora sp. nov., is also described as new to science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichens are widely acknowledged to be a key component of high latitude ecosystems. However, the time investment needed for full inventories and the lack of taxonomic identification resources for crustose lichen and lichenicolous fungal diversity have hampered efforts to fully gauge the depth of species richness in these ecosystems. Using a combination of classical field inventory and extensive deployment of chemical and molecular analysis, we assessed the diversity of lichens and associated fungi in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska (USA), a mixed landscape of coastal boreal rainforest and early successional low elevation habitats deglaciated after the Little Ice Age. We collected nearly 5000 specimens and found a total of 947 taxa, including 831 taxa of lichen-forming and 96 taxa of lichenicolous fungi together with 20 taxa of saprotrophic fungi typically included in lichen studies. A total of 98 species (10.3% of those detected) could not be assigned to known species and of those, two genera and 27 species are described here as new to science: Atrophysma cyanomelanos gen. et sp. nov., Bacidina circumpulla, Biatora marmorea, Carneothele sphagnicola gen. et sp. nov., Cirrenalia lichenicola, Corticifraga nephromatis, Fuscidea muskeg, Fuscopannaria dillmaniae, Halecania athallina, Hydropunctaria alaskana, Lambiella aliphatica, Lecania hydrophobica, Lecanora viridipruinosa, Lecidea griseomarginata, L. streveleri, Miriquidica gyrizans, Niesslia peltigerae, Ochrolechia cooperi, Placynthium glaciale, Porpidia seakensis, Rhizocarpon haidense, Sagiolechia phaeospora, Sclerococcum fissurinae, Spilonema maritimum, Thelocarpon immersum, Toensbergia blastidiata and Xenonectriella nephromatis. An additional 71 'known unknown' species are cursorily described. Four new combinations are made: Lepra subvelata (G. K. Merr.) T. Sprib., Ochrolechia minuta (Degel.) T. Sprib., Steineropsis laceratula (Hue) T. Sprib. & Ekman and Toensbergia geminipara (Th. Fr.) T. Sprib. & Resl. Thirty-eight taxa are new to North America and 93 additional taxa new to Alaska. We use four to eight DNA loci to validate the placement of ten of the new species in the orders Baeomycetales, Ostropales, Lecanorales, Peltigerales, Pertusariales and the broader class Lecanoromycetes with maximum likelihood analyses. We present a total of 280 new fungal DNA sequences. The lichen inventory from Glacier Bay National Park represents the second largest number of lichens and associated fungi documented from an area of comparable size and the largest to date in North America. Coming from almost 60°N, these results again underline the potential for high lichen diversity in high latitude ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some definitions of the term ‘lichen’ have often emphasized the role of the mycobiont as exhabitant in the symbiosis. Mastodia tessellata and Turgidosculum ulvae, both forming lichen-like associations with foliose algae, have traditionally defied that definition. In this study, we delve into the poorly known association of T. ulvae with Blidingia minima. Using four molecular markers (nrLSU, nrSSU, RPB1, mtSSU) we show that T. ulvae is a member of the family Verrucariaceae, closely related to the marine species Verrucaria ditmarsica. The presence of bitunicate asci and single-cell ascospores is confirmed. Our analysis of a fragment of the rbcL marker demonstrates that the photosynthetic partner belongs to B. minima, although relationships within this taxon remain unclear. Transmission electron microscopy allowed us to illustrate how T. ulvae interacts with Blidingia cells, and how haustoria in that species differ from those previously investigated in other marine lichen-forming fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous recent studies of lichenized fungi have uncovered hidden genetic diversity within a single phenotypic entity (so-called ‘cryptic species’). Here we report the opposite situation with vastly different morphologies apparently deriving from the same genotype. Endocena is a monotypic genus known only from southern South America. The single reported species, the terricolous E. informis, is morphologically variable; the type and other collections from the west coast of Chile being subfruticose, whereas specimens from further south and east are almost crustose in form. A sorediate terricolous lichen that is frequent on the Falkland Islands was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of ITS rDNA and mtSSU rDNA sequences as being congeneric with E. informis and, surprisingly, both taxa were recovered as congeneric with the recently described genus and species Chirleja buckii, which is morphologically distinct from both E. informis and the sorediate taxon. Consequently, the genus Chirleja is included in the synonymy of Endocena and the new combination Endocena buckii is proposed. Because E. informis and the sorediate specimens have a similar thallus structure that differs radically from that of E. buckii, the name E. informis var. falklandica is proposed for the sorediate taxon. Poorly developed, incipient apothecia are also described from both varieties of E. informis, the first time that these have been reported for Endocena. We also report two lichenicolous fungi from E. informis var. informis, which are the first reports of lichenicolous fungi occurring on this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a comprehensive revision of the Rhizocarpon geographicum species group using molecular and morphological approaches, we examined the name-bearing types of 15 species. We report ambiguities and inconsistencies with the reported features of some type specimens, original descriptions, and circumscriptions employed in keys for the identification of taxa within the complex. The reporting of chemical reactions and some morphological characters was found to be inconsistent and likely to lead to errors of identification. This is unfortunate in view of the widespread use of the complex in glaciology for lichenometry. Issues surrounding the typification of the basionym Lichen geographicus are clarified, and the epitype is illustrated. The complex nomenclatural situation regarding the name Rhizocarpon lecanorinum and its typification is also made clear. The examination of the anatomical and morphological characters presented here needs to be considered together with molecular phylogenetic information to provide a more informed new taxonomy of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Four new species from Cuba are described in the genus Ocellularia, emphasizing the importance of the Caribbean for the diversification of lichen fungi and the level of unrecognized species richness in Ocellularia. Three of the new species belong in the O. bahiana group: O. coronata Lücking & Pérez-Ortega, differing from O. bahiana by the ridged to folded thallus, vertically ridged apothecia, and complex columella largely covering the disc; O. fuscospora Lücking & Pérez-Ortega, differing from O. urceolaris in the immersed to erumpent, columellate apothecia; and O. radiata Lücking, differing from O. bahiana in the complex, radiating columella filling the disc. In contrast, Ocellularia nigririmis Lücking & Pérez-Ortega is a species of the O. papillata morphodeme with immersed apothecia with a small, black-rimmed pore filled by a greyish black columella, and small ascospores. We also clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of columellate taxa in the O. bahiana group and provide a key to all thelotremoid Graphidaceae with small, brown, (sub-)muriform ascospores. The new combination Ocellularia lunensis (Nagarkar & Hale) Lücking is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new genus of lichenicolous fungi Austrostigmidium is described from Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego (Chile). It is characterized by the presence of black pseudothecia, pseudoparaphyses, fissitunicate, I−, KI− asci and 3-septate hyaline ascospores. So far, the only known species grows on Mastodia tessellata (Verrucariales, Eurotiomycetes). The new genus is compared with anatomically close genera. Based on nuLSU and nuSSU markers we inferred its phylogenetic relationships and found that it belongs to the family Teratosphaeriaceae (Capnodiales, Dothideomycetes) and is closely related to rock-inhabiting fungal species, as well as to the hyphomycetous lichenicolous fungus Xanthoriicola. Finally, the host-parasite interface has been analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy in order to describe the interactions among the new fungus and the symbionts forming the host lichen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a combined three locus analysis two new genera, Charcotiana and Amundsenia, are proposed in the lichen family Teloschistaceae, subfamily Xanthorioideae. Charcotiana includes the new species C. antarctica, which is known only from continental Antarctica. The bipolar genus Amundsenia includes the new species A. austrocontinentalis, which is also known only from continental Antarctica, and the Arctic species Caloplaca approximata which is here combined into the new genus. The two new genera are phylogenetically distinct, but poor in morphological characters; the new species consist mainly of minute apothecia in cracks of rocks located in the climatically harshest regions of the Antarctic. They are somewhat similar to another continental Antarctic species, Austroplaca frigida, which is described as a new name based on the illegitimate name Caloplaca frigida Søchting. The distribution of the four species is mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Heteroacanthella ellipsospora is described as new to science. It is the only known lichenicolous Heteroacanthella, always found parasitizing apothecia and the surrounding thallus of the crustose epiphytic lichen Lecanora carpinea. The new parasite has so far only been found in two Spanish provinces, Jaén and Madrid. The shape and size of its basidiospores, the basidia with acanthoid ornamentation, acanthohyphidia, as well as its parasitic lichenicolous habitat, with a replacement of host tissues by the parasite hymenium, are useful diagnostic characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tremella macrobasidiata is a proposed new species for a lichenicolous heterobasidomycete strictly parasitizing the hymenium of Lecanora chlarotera. It is reported from Spain, and is characterized by large and particularly variable basidia, rather large basidiospores and the production of asteroconidia, forming brownish to dark green galls in the specific host apothecia. The presence of asteroconidia is discussed. Comparisons with closely related lichenicolous Tremella species are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new lichenicolous fungus Llimoniella cinnabarinae growing on Ramboldia cinnabarina from Alaska is described. The lack of excipular or epihymenial K+ purplish, violet or green pigments places it near the recently described L. phaeophysciae group. Its affinity with Llimoniella and other members of lichenicolous Helotiales is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lecanora sorediomarginata Rodrigues, Terrón & Elix sp. nov., described as new to science from Portugal, is characterized morphologically by a crustose whitish-grey to greenish thallus developing soralia from small, marginal warts and chemically by the presence of 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylnorstenosporic acid [major], 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylanziaic acid [minor], 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylnordivaricatic acid [minor], 5-chloro-2′-O-methylanziaic acid [trace], atranorin [minor], chloroatranorin [minor], and usnic acid [trace]. It is chemically similar to L. lividocinerea, to which it shows phylogenetic affinities based on ITS rDNA sequence analysis, and to L. sulphurella. Lecanora sorediomarginata is epiphytic on Pinus pinaster and P. pinea, in pine forests on sand dunes along the Portuguese coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new lichenicolous fungus, Abrothallus halei sp. nov., is described. The species is characterized by having 4-celled ascospores with a strongly constricted median septum, which split into two 2-celled part-spores, even when still inside the ascus. This is the first Abrothallus known from the genus Lobaria, and the species is reported from Norway and the USA, occurring on L. quercizans and L. pulmonaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmidium humidum is described from Spain and Turkey on Thelenella muscorum (Fr.) Vain. (syn Chromatochlamys muscorum (Fr.) H. Mayrhofer & Poelt). The species is the first Stigmidium s. str. species on a host lichen of the family Thelenellaceae and is compared with other species with 'Type a' pseudoparaphyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new genus Labrocarpon is introduced for the species Melaspilea canariensis based on the presence of excipular periphysoids. In addition, Buelliella protoparmeliopsis is described from Chile, the twelfth species of the genus. Notes on the two new taxa and related species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new conidial lichenicolous fungi are described from Spain: Lichenodiplis crespoae on Cyphelium notarisii and Minutoexcipula tephromelae on Tephromela atra. Lichenodiplis crespoae differs from all the described species of the genus in the narrower and shorter conidia, and the host Cyphelium notarisii. Minutoexcipula tephromelae is characterized by subglobose, conidiogenous cells occasionally bearing 1-2 long proliferating extensions, short conidia and by the host Tephromela atra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species Lecanora lasalliae Pérez-Ortega & Etayo is described from Spain. It is included provisionally in Lecanora s. lat as characters such as Lecanora-type ascus, exciple composed of thick radiating hyphae and the usual presence of algal cells in the excipulum or its lichenicolous habitus on Lasallia pustulata, do not fit well within any known genus of lichenicolous or lichenized fungi. Its taxonomic affinities with several taxa are discussed, including the parasitic Lecanora gyrophorina. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article features the presence of Xanthoparmelia pseudohungarica (X. pseudohungarica) in Spain. It is known to be found in the localities of Fresnillo de la Dueñas and Páramo de Masa, reflecting its potential as marker species for the conservation of ecosystems despite their exposure to different climate and external conditions. A table showing the characteristerics of X. camtschadalis, X. subdiffluens, and X. pseudohungarica is provided.

Zwackhiomyces cervinae Calat., Triebel & Perez-Ortega is described as new to science from Spain and Iran. This lichenicolous species grows on the lateral side of the squamules of Acarospora cervina, and it is characterized by its relatively large ascospores, which are brown when overmarure. It is compared with several Zwackhiomyces species and with other taxa sharing some of its characters. A key to all the known species of the genus is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the association between lichenicolous genus Abrothallus and Vouauxiomyces anamorph state based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). It says that Abrothallus teleomorph and anamorph states was analyzed on both Punctelia jeckeri and Xanthoparmelia protomatrae. It states that the DGGE technique was used to examine the relationship, particularly for fungi that are difficult to grow. It mentions that the techniques functions better with fresh samples.