Search

We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the largest families of lichen-forming fungi with complex and variable morphologies, also including several lichenicolous fungi., We assembled a six-locus data set including nuclear, mitochondrial and low-copy protein-coding genes from 293 operational taxonomic units ( OTUs)., The lichenicolous lifestyle originated independently three times in lichenized ancestors within Parmeliaceae, and a new generic name is introduced for one of these fungi. In all cases, the independent origins occurred c. 24 million yr ago. Further, we show that the Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene were key periods when diversification of major lineages within Parmeliaceae occurred, with subsequent radiations occurring primarily during the Oligocene and Miocene., Our phylogenetic hypothesis supports the independent origin of lichenicolous fungi associated with climatic shifts at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Moreover, diversification bursts at different times may be crucial factors driving the diversification of Parmeliaceae. Additionally, our study provides novel insight into evolutionary relationships in this large and diverse family of lichen-forming ascomycetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lichen-forming fungal genus Flavoparmelia includes species with distinct distribution patterns, including subcos-mopolitan, restricted, and disjunct species. We used a dataset of nuclear ITS and LSU ribosomal DNA including 51 specimens to understand the influence of historical events on the current distribution patterns in the genus. We employed Bayesian, maxi-mum likelihood and maximum parsimony approaches for phylogenetic analyses, a likelihood-based approach to ancestral area reconstruction, and a Bayesian approach to estimate divergence times of major lineages within the genus. We identified two major clades in the genus, one of them separating into two subclades and one of those into four groups. Several of the groups and clades have restricted geographical ranges in the Southern Hemisphere, but two groups include species with wider distribution areas. Our analyses suggest that the genus originated in southern South America during the Eocene-Oligocene transition and that the diversification of the Australasian groups occurred recently. The subcosmopolitan distribution of species is explained by long-distance dispersal, while vicariance probably played a major role in the origin of the genus. Several currently accepted species were found to be non-monophyletic, indicating that the species delimitation in the genus requires further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: In spite of the recent advances in generic and species circumscriptions and in recognizing species diversity in lichen-forming fungi, the timing of speciation and the factors that promote diversification in lichens remain largely unexplored. We used brown parmelioids as a model to assess the timing of divergence and explore the impact of geological and climatic events on lineage divergence and diversification in lichenized fungi. Additionally, to clarify the phylogenetic position of the species currently placed in Melanelia disjuncta group, we evaluated the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships within Parmeliaceae. * Methods: Phylogenetic relationships and divergence time estimates were inferred from a four-loci data set. Alternative hypotheses were tested using Shimodaira-Hasegawa and expected likelihood weights tests. * Key results: The M. disjuncta group forms a strongly supported, monophyletic lineage independent from Melanelia s.s. The M. disjuncta clade arose ca. 23.1 million years ago (Ma). Our results suggest that most of the lineages within the clade diversified during the Miocene (17.6 to 11.2 Ma). The split of other brown parmelioids, such as Emodomelanelia-Melanelixia occurred ca. 41.70 Ma, and the radiation of Melanelixia began during the Eocene-Oligocene transition (ca. 33.75 Ma). * Conclusions: Montanelia is described here as a new genus to accommodate species of the Melaneliadisjuncta group. Further, the study indicates that the current species delimitation within the newly described genus requires revision. We provide evidence of lineage divergence of Montanelia at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Our results indicate that the diversification during Miocene would have happened during major mountain uplifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the number of cryptic species known has increased considerably, showing that species diversity has in many cases been underestimated in the past. Parmelia sulcata is a widely distributed species and one of the most common taxa in temperate Europe. The first intra-specific molecular studies on P. sulcata showed an unexpectedly high genetic variability. In the present work, we study the biodiversity of this taxon including specimens from four continents and using three molecular markers (nuITS, nuIGS rDNA, and partial β-tubulin gene). Two monophyletic groups of P. sulcata were encountered; one of these is epitypified as P. sulcata s. str and the other one is segregated as the new cryptic species P. encryptata sp. nov. Issues surrounding the lectotypification of Parmelia sulcata have also been elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parmelina tiliacea is a common, widely distributed species in south-western Europe, easily identifiable by morphology and much used as an air pollution bioindicator in many regions. A molecular phylogenetic survey of samples from many geographical areas, using Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian inference of nuITS and mtLSU rDNA regions, revealed a group of samples geographically restricted to a small region of the Iberian Peninsula and genetically separated from the other P. tiliacea specimens studied. These samples are morphologically indistinguishable from P. tiliacea, apart from subtle anatomical characters in the ascomata (hyphae of the exciple and ascospore width), which are frequently absent. Although geographically different, the two taxa occupy similar habitats and are even sympatric in some areas, indicating that they do not exchange genetic material. This previously overlooked, and apparently endemic lineage, is described as P. cryptotiliacea sp. nov., and the name Lichen tiliaceus is epitypified by a sequenced specimen to fix the application of Parmelina tiliacea to the widespread genotype. A second unexpected result was the discovery that the morphologically distinct P. pastillifera was nested within P. tiliacea. These two cases stress the need to use molecular tools to elucidate species concepts even within widespread morphologically well-characterized macrolichens. Such investigations are necessary to improve our understanding and estimation of biodiversity, and to facilitate the development of sound biodiversity conservation strategies for lichens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The phylogenetic position of Trypetheliaceae was studied using partial sequences of the mtSSU and nuLSU rDNA of 100 and 110 ascomycetes, respectively, including 48 newly obtained sequences. Our analysis confirms Trypetheliaceae as monophyletic and places the family in Dothideomycetes. Pyrenulaceae, which were previously classified with Trypetheliaceae in Pyrenulales or Melanommatales, are supported as belonging to Chaetothyriomycetes. Monophyly of Pyrenulales, including Trypetheliaceae is rejected using three independent test methods. Monophyly of Arthopyreniaceae plus Trypetheliaceae, the two families including lichen-forming fungi in Dothideomycetes, is also rejected, as well as a placement of Trypetheliaceae in Pleosporales (incl. Melanommatales). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The phylogenetic position of the European crustose pioneer lichen Moelleropsis (Biatora) humida (Kullhem) Coppins & P. M. Jørg. is studied using partial sequences of the mitochondrial SSU and nuclear LSU rDNA of 64 ascomycetes, including sequences of all known species of Arctomiaceae. The analysis places M. humida in the Arctomiaceae with strong support as sister to the Tasmanian genus Wawea. The genus Arctomia is monophyletic and sister-group to the Wawea+Moelleropsis humida clade. The new genus Gregorella is described to accommodate Moelleropsis humida and the new combination Gregorella humida (Kullhem) Lumbsch is proposed. The ontogeny of the ascomata of Gregorella humida is similar to that of other Arctomiaceae, in that the generative tissue is formed on a thallus outgrowth. The Arctomiaceae did not cluster with the bulk of cyanobacterial lichens in the Lecanorales suborder Peltigerineae (or Peltigerales), but is part of Ostropomycetidae. The closest relative of Arctomiaceae could not be identified, since the relationships of major clades within Ostropomycetidae lacked support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]