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The manna lichens, a group of vagrant species with subfruticose and subfoliose thalli in the genus Circinaria Link, have received attention for millennia. Here, a new manna lichen species, Circinaria nimisii sp. nov. (Megasporaceae), is described and illustrated. This vagrant lichen is found on Mount Olympus in Greece and is the fourth known manna lichen in Europe. The new taxon is characterized by its subfruticose, densely-branched thallus with a muddy, earthy colour, whitish pseudocyphellae on tips of branches, mature apothecia distinctly adnate to stipitate, and paraplectenchymatous cortex tissue. Molecular sequence data from the standard barcoding marker (nrITS) also corroborate the distinction of this species from closely related congeners. Finally, Agrestia zerovii , previously known only from its type locality in Ukraine, is proposed as a new synonym of Circinaria hispida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper reports on two new species and two new records of the lichen-forming fungal genus Peltula Nyl., highlighting progress in our investigation of Chinese Peltula spp. The external morphology, anatomy, and molecular systematics were comprehensively analyzed to support the species delimitation. The results contribute to the knowledge of species diversity and geographical distributions of Peltula species in China. In this study, two new species, Peltula confusa Q.X. Yang & X.L. Wei, sp. nov., growing in a dry microenvironment within a semi-humid area, and Peltula subpatellata Q.X. Yang & X.L. Wei, sp. nov., occurring in arid and semi-arid regions, are described. In addition, two species, P. polyspora (Tuck.) Wetmore and P. obscuratula (Nyl.) Poelt ex Egea, are recorded for the first time in China. All four species are described based on morphological, anatomical and molecular data. Peltula confusa is characterized by a lighter, brighter, and more yellowish upper surface than other species of this genus, with discs concentrated in the central part of squamules, and a thick lower cortex. Peltula subpatellata can be distinguished from P. patellata (Bagl.) Swinscow & Krog by its non-thickened and sometimes darkened margins and sometimes the presence of peltate squamules. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences of four loci (ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, and RPB2) demonstrates the placement of these species within Peltula, and supports current species delimitations. We suggest that the growth substrate should be considered as an additional characteristic for species delimitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichens of the Ramalina siliquosa complex dominate seashore cliffs in Europe and South-East Asia, but their taxonomy has been vigorously debated for over a century. On many cliffs, they exhibit a bewildering zonation of chemotypes that resembles the classic zonation of organisms that occupy the littoral zone below. Do the chemotypes represent separate species, or infraspecific variation? To better understand the systematics of this group, sequences from four genetic loci (ITS, IGS, RPB1 and RPB2) were obtained for 59 samples from Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, UK, Japan and Korea, including all major chemotypes. Maximum likelihood analysis of these sequences, together with sequences from 36 other Ramalina species, reveals that the complex comprises two distinct phylogenetic lineages, each including multiple chemotypes. These two putative species-level lineages correspond to the currently accepted taxa R. cuspidata and R. siliquosa. There is no evidence that these two taxa are phylogenetic sister species. Consequently, the explanation of this chemotype complex as an example of 'sibling speciation' is rejected. Specimens traditionally called 'R. siliquosa' from South-East Asia form a third clade, identified here as R. semicuspidata, with an additional, divaricatic acid chemotype. Other results include a robustly supported clade of Ramalina species that produce medullary depsides and depsidones; this clade includes another well-supported clade of south-eastern United States coastal plain and tropical Ramalina species. By contrast, large, strap-shaped Ramalina species that lack medullary depsides and depsidones occur in separate lineages. In addition, close relationships between the following groups of species are indicated: R. farinacea with R. subfarinacea; R. fraxinea with R. leptocarpha, R. menziesii and R. subleptocarpha; R. sinensis with R. unifolia. Furthermore, a new, variolaric acid-only chemotype is reported for R. farinacea, and a new, acid-deficient chemotype is reported for a more broadly circumscribed R. culbersoniorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic ranks above the species level are inherently arbitrary. However, there is a growing number of publications aimed at more consistent classifications with comparable ranks among taxa. For this study, we use a recently developed temporal approach that utilizes time-calibrated chronograms to identify and define temporal bands for comparable ordinal and family ranks in Lecanoromycetes, the most diverse lineage of lichen-forming fungi. A multi-locus dataset consisting of 539 taxa in the two major subclasses of Lecanoromycetes, Lecanoromycetidae and Ostropomycetidae, was used to address the circumscription of families and orders. Based on the temporal banding approach, clades that share a common ancestor between 176 and 194 Mya and a time window of 111–135 Mya correspond to order-level and family-level, respectively. Most currently accepted orders and families were supported in their current circumscription, but some new taxa are described. Here we propose a revised, temporally based classification for the two subclasses. Specifically, three new orders are proposed: Sporastatiales, Schaereriales and Thelenellales. Arctomiales, Hymeneliales and Trapeliales are synonymized with Baeomycetales. Varicellariaceae are proposed as a new family, and Diploschistaceae and Thelotremataceae are resurrected. Squamarinaceae and Stereocaulaceae are synonymized with Cladoniaceae, Carbonicolaceae are synonymized with Lecanoraceae, Letrouitiaceae are synonymized with Brigantiaeaceae, Lobariaceae and Nephromataceae are synonymized with Peltigeraceae, Thrombiaceae are synonymized with Protothelenellaceae, and Miltideaceae are synonymized with Agyriaceae. This study represents an important step towards more consistent, comparable deeper-level taxonomic rankings in the most diverse lineages of lichen-forming fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xanthoparmelia (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) is the most species-rich genus of lichen-forming fungi. Species boundaries are based on morphological and chemical features, varying reproductive strategies and, more recently, molecular sequence data. The isidiate Xanthoparmelia mexicana group is common in arid regions of North and Central America and includes a range of morphological variation and variable secondary metabolites - salazinic or stictic acids mainly. In order to better understand the evolutionary history of this group and potential taxonomic implications, a molecular phylogeny representing 58 ingroup samples was reconstructed using four loci, including ITS, mtSSU, nuLSU rDNA and MCM7. Results indicate the existence of multiple, distinct lineages phenotypically agreeing with X. mexicana. One of these isidiate, salazinic acid-containing lineages is described here as a new species, X. pedregalensis sp. nov., including populations from xerophytic scrub vegetation in Pedregal de San Angel, Mexico City. X. mexicana s. str. is less isidiate than X. pedregalensis and has salazinic and consalazinic acid, occasionally with norstictic acid; whereas X. pedregalensis contains salazinic and norstictic acids and an unknown substance. Samples from the Old World, morphologically agreeing with X. mexicana, are only distantly related to X. mexicana s. str. Our results indicate that X. mexicana is likely less common than previously assumed and ongoing taxonomic revisions are required for isidiate Xanthoparmelia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species and genus, Kalbionora palaeotropica, is described for a crustose lichen occurring in coastal forests in Thailand, Vietnam, and northeastern Australia. It is morphologically similar to Malmidea and Eugeniella, but differing in morphological and chemical characters. The single known species in the new genus contains atranorin, zeorin, the stictic acid chemosyndrome and chlorinated xanthones. Morphologically it is characterized by having asci of the Catillaria-type, a yellowish brown colour, a granulose epihymenium, dark brown hypothecium, hyaline, 1-3 transversely septate ascospores. Molecular data strongly support a phylogenetic position in Malmideaceae, sister to a clade including Malmidea, Savoronala and two species currently placed in Lecidea s. lat. (including L. cyrtidia and L. plebeja). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western North America is the global centre of diversity for Letharia, a distinctive and cryptically diverse genus of lichenized fungi belonging to the Parmeliaceae. The genus is characterized by a shrubby, fruticose habit and presence of vulpinic acid. Previous studies using multiple fungal nuclear loci revealed the existence of two distinct species-level lineages within the traditional concept of L. vulpina and four such lineages within L. columbiana. Here we use molecular sequence data in an attempt to settle long-standing taxonomic issues in the genus. Our results confirm the widespread existence within L. vulpina s. lat. of two distinct species-level groups, each forming a mutually exclusive partnership with a separate algal clade within Trebouxia jamesii s. lat. Accordingly, we formally describe the segregate species L. lupina sp. nov. Our results also support the evolutionary independence of four candidate species previously circumscribed from L. columbiana s. lat. One of these lineages, L. ‘gracilis’, has already received species recognition as L. gracilis, while a second, L. ‘lucida’, is epitypified here against L. columbiana s. str. Based on results from species delimitation analyses under the multispecies coalescent model, the two remaining lineages, L. ‘barbata’ and L. ‘rugosa’, also warrant formal taxonomic recognition; however, we refrain from describing these species pending additional studies of diagnostic characters, ecological preference, and distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A number of lichen-forming fungal species are widely distributed. Here, we investigate biogeographic patterns in a widely distributed isidiate taxon -Parmelinella wallichiana - using molecular sequence data. Our results revealed that Parmelinella wallichina, as currently circumscribed, is not monophyletic but falls into four clades, two of them represented by a sample only. A third clade, occurring in Africa and southern India is described as a new species, Parmelinella schimperiana Kirika & Divakar, sp. nov. Our study adds a further example of previously overlooked, geographically distinct, lineages that were discovered using molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of cryptic diversity have been documented in lichenized fungi, especially in Parmeliaceae, and integrating various lines of evidence, including coalescent-based species delimitation approaches, help establish more robust species circumscriptions. In this study, we used an integrative taxonomic approach to delimit species in the lichen-forming fungal genus Punctelia (Parmeliaceae), with a particular focus on the cosmopolitan species P. rudecta. Nuclear, mitochondrial ribosomal DNA and protein-coding DNA sequences were analyzed in phylogenetic and coalescence-based frameworks. Additionally, morphological, ecological and geographical features of the sampled specimens were evaluated. Five major strongly supported monophyletic clades were recognized in the genus Punctelia, and each clade could be characterized by distinct patterns in medullary chemistry. Punctelia rudecta as currently circumscribed was shown to be polyphyletic. A variety of empirical species delimitation methods provide evidence for a minimum of four geographically isolated species within the nominal taxon Punctelia rudecta, including a newly described saxicolous species, P. guanchica, and three corticolous species. In order to facilitate reliable sample identification for biodiversity, conservation, and air quality bio-monitoring research, these three species have been epitypified, in addition to the description of a new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species in the genus Trapelia, namely, T. calvariana Kantvilas & Lumbsch from the Tasmanian highlands and T. thieleana Kantvilas & Lumbsch from south-western Western Australia, are described. Examination of ascus types and analyses of DNA-sequence data confirmed the inclusion of these taxa in Trapelia sensu lato, but raised questions concerning the homogeneity of the genus as currently circumscribed and, in particular, the generic classification of T. lilacea Kantvilas & Elix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogenetic position of the genus Pseudoparmelia was addressed using molecular data from five loci (mtSSU, nuLSU, ITS, Mcm7, RPB1), generated from three species and aligned with sequences from 293 samples representing all major clades of Parmeliaceae. Pseudoparmelia species form a well-supported monophyletic group that is the sister group of a clade consisting of the genera Relicina and Relicinopsis. These three genera share a thallus with a pored epicortex, isolichenan as cell wall polysaccharide, and relatively small ascospores. Morphological and chemical characters that distinguish Pseudoparmelia from the closely related Relicina and Relicinopsis are discussed. To further elucidate the relationships of these three genera, we assembled a second dataset including 15 additional samples of Relicina and Relicinopsis using three loci (mtSSU, nuLSU, ITS). All three genera are monophyletic but monophyly of Relicina lacks support and, in the mtSSU single locus tree, the genus is paraphyletic with Relicinopsis nested within. Additional studies including more Relicina species are necessary to test delimitation of the genera Relicina and Relicinopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have identified a close relationship between the monospecific Masonhalea richardsonii and Tuckermannopsis inermis. However, formal taxonomic changes were postponed until existing sequence data could be confirmed. Here we validate these data and discuss the transfer of T. inermis to Masonhalea (made by Lumbsch et al. in Thell & Moberg 2011), consider the morphological, anatomical and biogeographic similarities and differences between these two taxa. The two Masonhalea species both produce lateral apothecia, marginal pycnidia, a layer of cortical tissue beneath the pycnidial wall and bacillariform conidia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recent studies using sequence data from multiple loci and coalescent-based species delimitation have revealed several species-level lineages within the phenotypically circumscribed taxon Rhizoplaca melanophthalma sensu lato. Here, we formally describe five new species within this group, R. occulta, R. parilis, R. polymorpha, R. porterii, and R. shushanii, using support from the coalescent-based species delimitation method implemented in the program Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP) as the diagnostic feature distinguishing new species. We provide a reference DNA sequence database using the ITS marker as a DNA barcode for identifying species within this complex. We also assessed intraspecific genetic distances within the six R. melanophthalma sensu lato species. While intraspecific genetic distances within the phenotypically cryptic lineages within this broadly distributed lineage. Overall, our results demonstrate the potential for accurately identifying species within the R. melanophthalma group by using molecularbased identification methods.five new species were less than or equal to the lowest interspecific pairwise comparison values, an overlap in genetic distances within the R. melanophthalma sensu stricto clade suggests the potential for additional phenotypically cryptic lineages within this broadly distributed lineage. Overall, our results demonstrate the potential for accurately identifying species within the R. melanophthalma group by using molecular-based identiication methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest family of lichen-forming fungi, the Parmeliaceae, is reviewed. It includes 79 genera in current use and ca 2726 species, a large majority of which belong to one of five main clades: the parmelioid, cetrarioid, usneoid, alectorioid and hypogymnioid. However, 21 genera are positioned outside these clades, and four genera in current use still lack DNA- data. The family has been shown to be monophyletic and the generic classification is relatively well-settled compared with other lecanoralean families. Each clade and its genera are presented here with the latest results from phylogenetic analyses and current taxonomy. In addition, a historical outline of the family and its most prominent researchers is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]