Showing papers in "Lichenologist in 2011"
TL;DR: It is concluded that characters related to thallus form or chemical products prove to be less informative at the generic level than has sometimes been assumed.
Abstract: This article traces the changing systems in the classification of the parmelioid lichens from the early 19th century to the present day. Molecular phylogenetic approaches have enabled the relative importance of traditionally used characters to be objectively re-assessed, and led to the realization of the significance of others that had previously been passed over or dismissed; for example, differences in ascospore and conidium types or the cell-wall constituents. Information on the different characters employed is presented and assessed. It is concluded that characters related to thallus form or chemical products prove to be less informative at the generic level than has sometimes been assumed. Features requiring further study are identified, and in the light of experience in this group, lichenologists should be cautious in translating their results into formal taxonomies.
57 citations
TL;DR: The biodiversity of this taxon is studied including specimens from four continents and using three molecular markers (nuITS, nuIGS rDNA, and partial β-tubulin gene) using two monophyletic groups of P. sulcata as well as new cryptic species P. encryptata sp.
Abstract: 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.
51 citations
TL;DR: The study shows that while most species with an erect growth-form are clearly monophyletic, current species status of many pendent taxa can be questioned and a new infrageneric classification for the genus Bryoria is proposed.
Abstract: The phylogenetic relationships of the genus Bryoria were examined using ITS, partial glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequence data in addition to 20 chemical and morphological characters. This first comprehensive molecular study to assess Bryoria phylogeny includes representatives from all the traditionally recognized four sections. Combined cladistic analyses of 88 Bryoria specimens representing at least 25 species resulted in highly resolved phylogenies. Based on the results, a new infrageneric classification for the genus is proposed. Five sections are recognized, largely corresponding to the existing classification, with the addition of section Americanae. The study shows that while most species with an erect growth-form are clearly monophyletic, current species status of many pendent taxa can be questioned.
49 citations
TL;DR: The Caloplaca cerina group is defined here as a monophyletic, but internally richly branched lineage that grows mainly on plant debris, small shrubs and bryophytes and consists of at least four internal lineages.
Abstract: Using ITS nrDNA sequence data, the Caloplaca cerina group (Teloschistaceae) is defined here as a monophyletic, but internally richly branched lineage. The group is also characterized by a combination of morphological and anatomical characters. Its internal lineages are supported by phenotypic characters in addition to ecology and distribution. Within the large C. cerina group, we have found at least 20 phylospecies in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Two species complexes do not produce any vegetative diaspores: the polyphyletic, corticolous Caloplaca cerina s. lat. (six separated cryptic or semi-cryptic species) and the monophyletic C. stillicidiorum s. lat. that grows mainly on plant debris, small shrubs and bryophytes and consists of at least four internal lineages. All lineages producing vegetative diaspores (soredia, blastidia, isidia or lobules) are phenotypically characteristic and represent fairly easily distinguishable species: C. chlorina, C. isidiigera, C. monacensis, C. subalpina, C. thracopontica, C. turkuensis and C. ulmorum. Only the North American sorediate C. pinicola possibly represents an aggregate of species. Caloplaca sterilis is described as a new species. A key to the phenotypically distinguishable species is provided. Lectotypes are designated for C. albolutea, Caloplaca cerina f. coronulata and for C. monacensis. The Australian C. hanneshertelii belongs to this group, but this and other possible species from the Southern Hemisphere are not treated here in detail. Some species traditionally placed in the C. cerina group due to their similar morphology are excluded here on the basis of our phenotype examinations and molecular data. Caloplaca albolutea, C. mydalaea and C. virescens are uncertain taxa and their identities still remain unclear. (Less)
46 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of habitat change due to the abandonment of traditional management on epiphytic lichen species composition, considering factors on three spatial scales: regional, habitat and individual tree.
Abstract: Wooded meadows with a history of traditional land use over thousands of years support a great diversity of various taxa. Today, however, high-species-rich communities in wooded meadows are threatened because of the cessation of traditional management in large areas. We studied lichen communities on 136 deciduous trees (Betula spp., Fraxinus excelsior and Quercus robur) in 12 wooded meadows in three regions of Estonia, and assessed the effect of habitat change due to the abandonment of traditional management on epiphytic lichen species composition, considering factors on three spatial scales: regional, habitat and individual tree. The variation partitioning approach in partial Canonical Correspondence Analysis (pCCA) revealed that most of the variation in species composition is described by the species of host tree and tree bark pH. Other tree level variables, foremost tree diameter, described as much of the compositional variation as geographic location (region) or environmental conditions in wooded meadows. Of the environmental factors studied, woodland canopy cover is the strongest predictor of the change in epiphytic lichen species composition from the community type of semi-open wooded meadows to species-poor communities characteristic of secondary forest. General Linear Model (GLM) analysis of the abundance of the 35 most frequently observed lichen species revealed that more than half of them (21) are influenced by site openness (canopy cover and/or undergrowth density), showing that increasing canopy cover has a negative effect on the abundance of epiphytic lichen species characteristic of traditionally managed semi-open wooded meadows. The results emphasize that the preservation of large old deciduous trees of various species and the maintenance of the semi-open structure of stands are vitally important for the protection of epiphytic lichen communities in wooded meadows.
45 citations
TL;DR: A comparison of genetic distances shows that the maximum intrageneric genetic distance encompassed by many cetrarioid genera is lower than that of many other genera in Parmeliaceae.
Abstract: The cetrarioid core group has been the focus of numerous taxonomic and phylogenetic studies in recent years, yet the phylogenetic resolution and support among these clades remains unclear. Here we use four commonly employed loci to estimate if their use increases phylogenetic resolution and support. The present study largely confirms the topologies of previous studies, but with increased support. Approximately half of the genera in the cetrarioid core were not monophyletic. Melanelia sorediella was clustered within Cetrariella, and the combination Cetrariella sorediella (Lettau) V. J. Rico & A. Thell comb. nov. is made. Additionally, the genus Flavocetrariella was supported as part of Nephromopsis and is considered to be a synonym of the latter. Finally, a comparison of genetic distances shows that the maximum intrageneric genetic distance encompassed by many cetrarioid genera is lower than that of many other genera in Parmeliaceae.
38 citations
TL;DR: An unexpected result was the discovery that the morphologically distinct P. pastillifera was nested within P. tiliacea, stressing the need to use molecular tools to elucidate species concepts even within widespread morphologically well-characterized macrolichens.
Abstract: 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 geographi- cally 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 morpho- logically 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.
35 citations
TL;DR: Despite a successful establishment in regeneration forests, the long-term survival in managed forests is still uncertain as the establishment success of both species decreases with increasing canopy openness, indicating that the soredia/isidioid sOREDia failed to establish on the most exposed branches.
Abstract: This study compares the success of vegetative diaspore establishment of the old forest lichens Lobaria pulmonaria and L scrobiculata sown on Picea abies branches in boreal rainforests The larger diaspores of L pulmonaria (green algal photobiont) established more successfully, and showed a greater flexibility in ecological amplitude, than the smaller diaspores of L scrobiculata (cyanobacterial photobiont) The establishment success apparently depended on species-specific differences in morphological and physiological traits of the diaspores Both species established as well in young plantations as in old forests Lobaria scrobiculata was most successful on short branches and small trees In contrast, L pulmonaria responded positively to trunk circumference in the old stands The establishment success of both species decreases with increasing canopy openness, indicating that the soredia/isidioid soredia failed to establish on the most exposed branches The probability of establishment did not change with bark-pH or with distance from the nearest stream Despite a successful establishment in regeneration forests, the long-term survival in managed forests is still uncertain
33 citations
TL;DR: Data from ITS rDNA and the genes coding for translation elongation factor 1-α and DNA replication licensing factor mini-chromosome maintenance complex 7 support the distinctness of Mycoblastus s.
Abstract: The crustose lichen genus Mycoblastus in the Northern Hemisphere includes eight recognized species sharing large, simple ascospores produced 1–2 per ascus in strongly pigmented biatorine apothecia. The monophyly of Mycoblastus and the relationship of its various species to Tephromelataceae have never been studied in detail. Data from ITS rDNA and the genes coding for translation elongation factor 1-α and DNA replication licensing factor mini-chromosome maintenance complex 7 support the distinctness of Mycoblastus s. str. from the core of the Tephromelataceae, but recover M. fucatus and an undescribed Asian species as strongly supported within the latter group. We propose accommodating these two species in a new genus, Violella, which is characterized by its brownish inner ascospore walls, Fucatus-violet hymenial pigment granules and secondary chemistry, and discuss the position of Violella relative to Calvitimela and Tephromela. We describe the new species Violella wangii T. Sprib. & Goffinet to accommodate a new species with roccellic acid from Bhutan, China, India and the Russian Far East. We also exclude Mycoblastus indicus Awasthi & Agarwal from the genus Mycoblastus and propose for it the new combination Malmidea indica (Awasthi & Agarwal) Hafellner & T. Sprib.
31 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that the morphology-based circumscriptions underestimated species in Parmotrema and that, in some cases, genetic distances may be used as an additional tool to determine species boundaries in morphologically cryptic species complexes.
Abstract: We used a genetic distance approach in conjunction with molecular phylogeny to establish species boundaries and detect cryptic lineages in the Parmotrema reticulatum – P. pseudoreticulatum complex. The phylogeny of specimens from a broad geographic distribution was reconstructed from the internal transcribed spacer region. Pairwise genetic distances were calculated and compared to an intraspecific range defined for the parmelioid lichens to circumscribe species-level groups. Our results showed that P. reticulatum and P. pseudoreticulatum are polyphyletic, being comprised of at least seven well-supported lineages. In contrast, the genetic distance approach revealed ten cryptic lineages within the P. reticulatum – P. pseudoreticulatum complex. Neither morphology nor geography was conclusive in attempting to corroborate these genetic lineages. However FST indices suggest significant genetic differentiation between these lineages. Our results suggest that the morphology-based circumscriptions underestimated species in Parmotrema and that, in some cases, genetic distances may be used as an additional tool to determine species boundaries in morphologically cryptic species complexes. The most significant contribution of the present study is the application of a fast and accurate method to identify problematic groups and candidate species using the ITS locus with a genetic distances approach.
31 citations
TL;DR: Additions and corrections to the checklist published in 2008 are presented and the new combination Hypotrachyna cryptochlora comb.
Abstract: Additions and corrections to the checklist published in 2008 are presented. Ten additionalspeciesarerecognized: Allantoparmeliaalmquistii,Asahineachrysantha,Hypogymniabryophila,Hypotra-chyna afrorevoluta, Melanelixia glabratula , Parmelia encryptata , Parmelina atricha , P. cryptotiliacea , Parmotrema cinereopruinata ,and Punctelia rudecta . Myelochroa subaurulenta is deleted, and Xanthopar-melia perezdepazii is also noted as newly described from the Canary Islands. In addition, Cavernulariahultenii is now placed in Hypogymnia ,the Canoparmelia crozalsiana group is included within Parmo-trema ,and Parmelinopsis is treated as a synonym of Hypotrachyna . The typification of the name Lichenquercinus is also corrected with the designation of the original figure as lectotype, and the newcombination Hypotrachyna cryptochlora comb. nov. (syn. Parmelia cryptochlora )ismade. Key words: Ascomycota , biogeography, Hypotrachyna cryptochlora , Lecanoromycetes, Parmeliaceae Introduction Hawksworth
TL;DR: The new genus Silobia M. Westb.
Abstract: The new genus Silobia M. Westb. & Wedin is proposed for the Acarospora smaragdula group, which is taxonomically and nomenclaturally revised in Sweden. The proposed taxonomy results from our former molecular phylogeny, together with morphological and anatomical investigations and analysis of secondary metabolites. Seven species are recognized in Sweden in this paper: Silobia dilatata sp. nov., S. myochroa sp. nov., S. rhagadiza comb. nov., S. rufescens comb. nov., S. scabrida comb. nov., S. smaragdula comb. nov. and S. tangerina sp. nov. Acarospora alberti, A. amphibola, A. isortoquensis, A. murina and A. undata are recognized as synonyms of S. smaragdula, Acarospora verruciformis as a synonym of S. scabrida and A. scyphulifera as a synonym of S. rhagadiza. The following names are lectotypified: Acarospora amphibola, A. amphibola f. testacea, A. lesdainii, A. lesdainii var. subochracea, A. murina, A. scyphulifera f. subdiscreta, Endocarpon smaragdulum, Lecanora rhagadiza and Sagedia rufescens. Acarospora scyphulifera is neotypified. Acarospora fusca is excluded from the Swedish checklist as the specimen was found to belong to S. rufescens. A key to the species is presented.
TL;DR: The morphometric analysis indicates a differentiation in several characters between material previously recognized as subspecies fuliginosa and glabratula, but also a considerable overlap in some of them, and it is proposed that the subspecies should be acknowledged as separate species.
Abstract: For a long time it has been discussed as to whether Melanelixia fuliginosa comprises one or two species: one darker, mainly saxicolous, and one lighter, mainly corticolous. To settle the question, a morphometric and a molecular analysis were carried out and analyzed using a principal component analysis (PCA). The morphometric analysis indicates a differentiation in several characters between material previously recognized as subspecies fuliginosa and glabratula, but also a considerable overlap in some of them. The molecular analysis of the nrITS DNA gene reveals a clear division of the taxa. Specimens belonging to Melanelia fuliginosa fall out in two different clades, which have good bootstrap support, corresponding to the subspecies fuliginosa and glabratula. Accordingly, we propose that the subspecies should be acknowledged as separate species, Melanelixia fuliginosa (Fr. ex Duby) O. Blanco et al .a ndMelanelixia glabratula (Lamy) Sandler & Arup.
TL;DR: Tremella macrobasidiata is a proposed new species for a lichenicolous heterobasidomycete strictly parasitizing the hymenium of Lecanora chlarotera, reported from Spain, and is characterized by large and particularly variable basidia, rather large basidiospores and the production of asteroconidia.
Abstract: 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.
TL;DR: A standardized morphological terminology and descriptive scheme for the sterile asexually reproducing genus Lepraria is presented and the results of extensive micro- and macro-morphological studies strongly refute this hypothesis of devoid of morphological characters.
Abstract: A standardized morphological terminology and descriptive scheme for the sterile asexually reproducing genus Lepraria s. lat. is presented. The contribution includes observations on development and ontogeny of morphological structures and is extensively illustrated with scanning electron and light micrographs. Lepraria has long been considered to be devoid of morphological characters, however the results of extensive micro- and macro-morphological studies strongly refute this hypothesis. The morphological structures of the thallus are defined and described based on their varying degrees of complexity. Thalline morphological variability in the group is categorized into two major types that are further subdivided into six subtypes. Each subtype is described and an artifical key to the subtypes is provided.
TL;DR: Data from additional species of the genus Vahliella is included and mtSSU rDNA and RPB1 sequences are utilized to confirm its placement as the sister to a group consisting of Lobariaceae, Massalongiaceae, Nephromataceae and Peltigeraceae, in the Peltigerales.
Abstract: The recently described genus Vahliella (Peltigerales, Ascomycetes) has repeatedly appeared outside the Pannariaceae in molecular phylogenies Here we include data from additional species of the genus and utilize mtSSU rDNA and RPB1 sequences to confirm its placement as the sister to a group consisting of Lobariaceae, Massalongiaceae, Nephromataceae and Peltigeraceae, in the Peltigerales The new family Vahliellaceae Wedin, P M Jorg & S Ekman is described for the genus, and its morphological characteristics are briefly discussed
TL;DR: The molecular phylogeny derived from sequences obtained from sporodochia of Blarneya places this genus, described to accommodate an anamorphic lichen with white cushion-shaped sporod Cochia, within Tylophoron, and is further supported by the discovery of Tylphoron-type ascomata emerging directly from thalli with Blarneysa-type sporodchia and producing identical hyaline conidia.
Abstract: Based on morphological, anatomical, chemical, ecological and molecular evidence, Blar- neya is synonymized here with Tylophoron. The molecular phylogeny derived from sequences obtained from sporodochia of Blarneya places this genus, described to accommodate an anamorphic lichen with white cushion-shaped sporodochia, within Tylophoron. This conclusion is further supported by the discovery of Tylophoron-type ascomata emerging directly from thalli with Blarneya-type sporodochia and producing identical hyaline conidia. In one specimen pycnidia were also observed. This represents a surprising variety of morphologically different conidiomata. A different anamorphic type was previously reported from Tylophoron, and this is confirmed here by molecular analysis for T. modera- tum: besides thalli with ascomata this species has anamorphic thalli with an irregularly delimited brown sporodochial felt and brown conidia. Ascomata are not known from these entirely anamorphic thalli, whereas they do occur infrequently in Tylophoron species with Blarneya-type sporodochia. A key to all currently accepted species of Tylophoron is provided. In addition to the corticolous Tylophoron hibernicum, confined to humid forests, two saxicolous species with Blarneya-type sporodochia are described here as new: T. galapagoense, known only from Galapagos, differs from T. hibernicum by a thicker, more compact, beige rather than white, more strongly C+ red thallus, growing below sheltered rock overhangs in dry forests; T. stalactiticum has a Cthallus with stipitate, white, C+ red sporodo- chia; the species is known only from a single locality in Tenerife, on a large slope with volcanic boulders.
TL;DR: The analyses showed that shrubby taxa in the section Usnea that are difficult to determine by traditional characters form a group of closely related but still genetically distinct entities, except U. diplotypus and U. substerilis which appear to be polyphyletic.
Abstract: This study focuses on European Usnea species with sorediate shrubby thalli, with the aim to evaluate the morphological and chemical separation of species in the light of molecular data. Twenty-two Usnea species, including widely distributed taxa such as U. diplotypus, U. fulvoreagens, U. glabrescens, U. lapponica, U. subfloridana, U. substerilis and U. wasmuthii, were included in the study using Bayesian and maximum parsimony analyses of nuclear ITS and beta-tubulin sequences. The analyses showed that: 1) most taxa that are morphologically well delimited are also distinct by means of molecular characters, 2) shrubby taxa in the section Usnea that are difficult to determine by traditional characters form a group of closely related but still genetically distinct entities, except U. diplotypus and U. substerilis which appear to be polyphyletic. The branch lengths differed largely between two parts of the ITS tree (sections Usnea and Ceratinae). Usnea intermedia is proposed as the sexually reproducing counterpart for the sorediate U. lapponica. Additionally, some new chemotypes of Usnea species were determined.
TL;DR: Caloplaca diffusa, described here as a new species, is a well-supported lineage with a distinctive phenotype in the C. crenulatella complex and a key to the European species of the group is provided.
Abstract: The Caloplaca crenulatella species complex is monophyletic, based on analysis of ITS nrDNA sequences. It is characterized mainly by its ascospores and a simplified thallus. Caloplaca aquensis, C. borysthenica, C. interfulgens, C. lactea, C. marmorata and C. tominii represent well-defined monophyletic lineages within it. Caloplaca diffusa, described here as a new species, is a well-supported lineage with a distinctive phenotype. Caloplaca crenulatella s. lat. and C. ferrarii s. lat. are heterogeneous taxa appearing in four and two places respectively within our tree. Caloplaca ochracea also belongs to the group, although it has different ascospore characters. Caloplaca gyalolechiaeformis and C. pseudo- citrina are later synonyms of C. tominii. Arctic and North American sorediate specimens morphologi- cally very close to C. tominii represent a separate lineage recently recognized as C. erichansenii. The North American Caloplaca nashii has a C. crenulatella-like phenotype but does not belong to the C. crenulatella complex. The identities of Caloplaca lacteoides and Caloplaca epigaea are not clear, but the latter may be a terricolous ecotype of one of the entities within C. crenulatella s. lat. A key to the European species of the group is provided.
TL;DR: Comparison of genetic distances suggests that the two varieties within M. orientalis should be regarded as distinct species, and Maronina is reduced to synonymy with Protoparmelia.
Abstract: The phylogenetic placement of the genus Maronina was studied, based chiefly on phenotypic characters such as thallus colour and anatomy, secondary chemistry, the anatomy of the excipulum and the ascus-type. DNA sequence data of mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal loci from some of the species support the hypothesis that Maronina is nested within Protoparmelia. Hence, Maronina is reduced to synonymy with Protoparmelia. Comparison of genetic distances suggests that the two varieties within M. orientalis should be regarded as distinct species. Consequently, the new combinations Protoparmelia australiensis (Hafellner & R. W. Rogers) Kantvilas et al., P. corallifera (Kantvilas & Papong) Kantvilas et al., P. hesperia (Kantvilas & Elix) Kantvilas et al., P. multifera (Nyl.) Kantvilas et al., and P. orientalis (Kantvilas & Papong) Kantvilas et al. are proposed.
TL;DR: A new lichenized fungus, Lecanora microloba Śliwa & Flakus, is described from the subnival belt of the Polish Tatra Mountains, characterized by small, saxicolous thalli with minutely lobulate marginal areoles and mostly broadly sessile and constantly pale coloured apothecia that are grouped predominantly in the centre of the thallus.
Abstract: A new lichenized fungus, Lecanora microloba Śliwa & Flakus, is described from the subnival belt of the Polish Tatra Mountains. It is characterized by small, saxicolous thalli with minutely lobulate marginal areoles and mostly broadly sessile and constantly pale coloured apothecia that are grouped predominantly in the centre of the thallus. Anatomically the species is distinguished by coarse granules in the epithecium which are distinctly bright in polarized light. The species contains gyrophoric and usnic acids, zeorin and an unknown terpene as secondary metabolites.
TL;DR: The new species Megaspora rimisorediata Valadbeigi & A. Nordin is described from Iran, characterized by a pale ochraceous to bluish grey, cracked and sorediate thallus, very rarely producing ascomata.
Abstract: The new species Megaspora rimisorediata Valadbeigi & A. Nordin is described from Iran, where it mainly grows on tree bark but also on calciferous rocks and mosses. It is characterized by a pale ochraceous to bluish grey, cracked and sorediate thallus, very rarely producing ascomata. It appears to be rather commonly distributed in Iran. Its close affinity with Megaspora verrucosa is illustrated in a graph resulting from a phylogenetic network analysis of nuclear rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences from specimens representing the different genera of Megasporaceae.
TL;DR: Two new species, Lecanora hafelliana L. Lü, Y. Joshi & Hur and L. loekoesii, are described as new to science from South Korea and eight species, including L. campestris (Schaer.) Hue, L. polytropa (Hoffm.) Rabenh.
Abstract: Two new species, Lecanora hafelliana L. Lu, Y. Joshi & Hur and L. loekoesii Y. Joshi, L. Lu & Hur, are described as new to science from South Korea and eight species, L. campestris (Schaer.) Hue, L. cenisia Ach., L. nipponica H. Miyaw., L. perplexa Brodo, L. plumosa Mull. Arg., L. polytropa (Hoffm.) Rabenh., L. subrugosa Nyl. and L. sulcata (Hue) H. Miyaw., are recorded from South Korea for the first time. Lecanora hafelliana is characterized by the presence of hafellic acid, which is reported for the first time in this genus, while L. loekoesii is characterized by multispored asci and a thallus containing norstictic acid.
TL;DR: Suija et al. as discussed by the authors reported definitive proof of the connection between anamorphic Vouauxiomyces and teleomorphic Abrothallus using the fingerprinting technique of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE).
Abstract: The relatively infrequent co-occurrence of different life phases in some groups of pleomorphic fungi has made the establishment of a clear relationship between the sexual (perfect or teleomorphic) and its asexual (imperfect or anamorphic) stages difficult. Fungal cultures, chemosystematic markers and, in recent years, DNA sequences, have been routinely used in the settlement of full life cycles of pleomorphic fungi. The case of the lichenicolous genus Abrothallus de Not. and its anamorph Vouauxiomyces Dyko & D. Hawkws. is representative of such a lack of conclusive proofs to connect sexual and asexual phases. The genus Vouauxiomyces was introduced by Hawksworth & Dyko (1979) for coelomycetous fungi characterized by having immersed to erumpent pycnidia and clavate to pyriform-shaped holoblastic hyaline conidia with a truncated base. The type species V. truncatus (B. de Lesd.) Dyko & D. Hawksw. (syn. Phoma truncata B. de Lesd.) grows on the thallus of Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale and represents a candidate anamorph of A. microspermus Tul. Hawksworth & Dyko (1979) did not mention the anamorph-teleomorph connection of Abrothallus and Vouauxiomyces in their description. However, the putative evidence of this relationship, based on frequent co-occurrence of ascomata of Abrothallus and Vouauxiomyces–type conidiomata on the same lichen thallus, was already noted in one of the earliest papers about lichenicolous fungi (Tulasne 1852). This observation-based connection was accepted and illustrated by later authors (Lindsay 1857; Kotte 1909; Schaechtelin & Werner 1927; Keissler 1929; Hawksworth 1981) without additional confirmation. In his treatment of lichenicolous coelomycetes, Hawksworth (1981) described the new species V. santessonii D. Hawksw. (on Platismatia glauca (L.) W. L. Culb. & C. F. Culb. and Parmelia saxatilis (L.) Ach.) and recombined Phoma ramalinae Nordin (Nordin 1964) into V. ramalinae (Nordin) D. Hawksw. Up until now, five species of Vouauxiomyces have been described (Index Fungorum http:// www.indexfungorum.org, consulted on 20th September 2010). Besides the cited species, V. brattii S. Y Kondr. and V. granulatae Wedin (both growing on Pseudocyphellaria species) have already been published (Wedin 1994; Kondratyuk 1996). Out of the five species, V. bratti is the only one for which a putative teleomorph has not yet been defined (Kondratyuk 1996). During the course of our studies on the genus Abrothallus, we have observed anamorph states accompanying most of the studied specimens (Suija 2006; Suija et al. 2011). As there has been no success in preparing cultures of Abrothallus and Vouauxiomyces from ascospores or conidia, respectively (Crittenden et al. 1995; S. PérezOrtega, pers. obs.), the relationships between Abrothallus and Vouaxiomyces have always been assessed by co-occurrence. Here we report definitive proof of the connection between anamorphic Vouauxiomyces and teleomorphic Abrothallus using the fingerprinting technique of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE; Muyzer et al. 1993). We analyzed the anamorph and teleomorph states of Abrothallus growing on both Xanthoparmelia protomatrae (Gyeln.) Hale and Punctelia jeckeri (Roum.) Kalb.
TL;DR: The backbone of the phylogeny of the core group was not resolved with statistical confidence, but relationships of groups of two to three species received strong support, and a new combination U. lambii+U.
Abstract: Abstract Species of Usnea with black pigmentation in the cortex and dark apothecial discs are informally referred to as neuropogonoid lichens. Here we studied the phylogenetic relationships of the core group of neuropogonoid lichens using DNA sequence data of three loci: nuclear ITS and IGS rDNA and RPB1. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses revealed monophyly of 11 neuropogonoid species, with U. ciliata and U. subcapillaris forming a separate lineage. The backbone of the phylogeny of the core group was not resolved with statistical confidence, but relationships of groups of two to three species received strong support (U. acromelana +U. aurantiaco-atra; U. messutiae+U. pallidocarpa; U. sphacelata+U. subantarctica+U. trachycarpa; U. lambii+U. perpusilla+U. ushuaiensis). The new combination U. lambii (Imshaug) Wirtz & Lumbsch comb. nov. is made and U. messutiae Wirtz & Lumbsch sp. nov. is described.
TL;DR: Molecular data suggest the new genus Halegrapha to be closely related to Phaeographis and allies but genetically distinct from any of the genera currently recognized, including Platygramme.
Abstract: Abstract The new genus Halegrapha is introduced, with six species (five new species and one new combination) from Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Kenya, Mexico, and the United States: H. chimaera Rivas Plata & Lücking (type species; Philippines), H. floridana Common & Lücking (United States: Florida), H. intergrapha Hale ex Lücking (Malaysia), H. kenyana Kalb & Lücking (Kenya), H. mexicana A. B. Peña & Lücking (Mexico), and H. mucronata (Stirt.) Lücking (Australia). The genus resembles Graphis morphologically in the strongly carbonized, black lirellae and white-grey thallus strongly encrusted with calcium oxalate crystals, but has a Phaeographis-type hymenium (clear in two species) and ascospores, making it a ‘chimera’ between the two genera. Molecular data suggest the genus to be closely related to Phaeographis and allies but genetically distinct from any of the genera currently recognized, including Platygramme.
TL;DR: Using rarefaction methods, results indicated that a slightly higher sampling effort was required for the photobiont than for the mycobions, suggesting that the optimal sampling strategy strongly depends on the research question, the spatial scale of investigation, and the type of analysis to be performed with the data.
Abstract: Population genetic studies of lichen-forming fungi and their algae require appropriate sampling schemes that ensure representative sampling of the genetic variability. One question is whether mycobiont and photobiont populations require different sampling strategies. Here, I applied rarefaction methods to a dataset containing three microsatellite loci of Lobaria pulmonaria and three microsatellite loci of its green-algal photobiont, Dictyochloropsis reticulata. I analysed the sample sizes required for 1) the number of individuals per population, 2) the number of individuals required across a landscape and 3) the number of populations. The analyses were performed separately for the mycobiont and photobiont loci to detect any differences in the accumulation of genetic diversity among the symbionts that would require different sampling schemes. About 20 individuals were sufficient at the population level; within landscapes, 300–400 samples and about 25–30 populations covered most of the allelic diversity. The results indicated that a slightly higher sampling effort was required for the photobiont than for the mycobiont. The optimal sampling strategy strongly depends on the research question, the spatial scale of investigation, and the type of analysis to be performed with the data.
TL;DR: This work investigated if L. pulmonaria can have a generation length, defined as time span from propagule arrival to presence of fertile apothecia, which is shorter than previously reported.
Abstract: Generation length is an important parameter for the classification of threatened species (IUCN 2001). For lichens, there is a lack of longevity data and templates are often used to represent generation length (see Scheidegger & Goward 2002; Hallingbäck 2007). This situation is partly a consequence of the complex nature of lichens, as lichen thalli can regenerate from sexual spores, vegetative propagules, or thallus fragments. Furthermore, different propagule types can be produced at different life stages (Scheidegger et al. 1997), and climatic conditions and disturbance can influence the type of propagules and the age of production (e.g. Walser et al. 2004). Additionally, it is difficult to follow the development and estimate the age of lichen thalli as their propagules have a low probability of survival (Crittenden et al. 1995; Scheidegger 1995), and propagules may take from several months to some years to develop to a visible size (Hilmo & Ott 2002), whereas juvenile thalli can have a relatively rapid thallus growth (Larsson & Gauslaa 2011). Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. is an epiphytic lichen often used as a flagship or indicator species of the Lobarion community (Gjerde et al. 2007; Scheidegger & Werth 2009). Lobaria pulmonaria can reproduce sexually by ascospores and asexually by isidia, soredia, or thallus fragments (Jørgensen et al. 2007). It is considered threatened in large parts of Europe (see Scheidegger 1995; Werth et al. 2006). Studies have suggested that the decreasing population size may relate to its long generation time (e.g. Scheidegger & Werth 2009). In Central Europe, the generation length of L. pulmonaria has been estimated to be at least 22–35 years (Scheidegger et al. 1997; Werth et al. 2006). During field work on the south-west coast of Norway, we observed fertile L. pulmonaria thalli growing on small trees and branches. We suspected fertile L. pulmonaria thalli to be younger than reported earlier from Central Europe. Therefore, our objective was to investigate if L. pulmonaria can have a generation length, defined as time span from propagule arrival to presence of fertile apothecia, which is shorter than previously reported.
TL;DR: Whether the palatability to lichenivorous gastropods varies between the two chemical races is investigated, and whether the CBSCs in L. pulmonaria are unaffected by increased irradiance, even after 5 years at a forest edge is confirmed.
Abstract: Lichens produce a large variety of carbon based secondary compounds (CBSCs; Huneck & Yoshimura 1996) and a number of biological roles for these have been proposed (e.g. Huneck 1999). For instance, strong experimental evidence confirms that several of these compounds, predominantly the ones situated in the medulla, deter lichenivores (e.g. Slansky 1979; Lawrey 1980; Gauslaa 2005; Pöykkö et al. 2005). In a field transplantation experiment, Asplund & Gauslaa (2008) showed that thalli of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. with artificially reduced levels of CBSCs were much more grazed than control thalli. Recently a number of quantitative studies on carbonbased secondary compounds in L. pulmonaria have been performed. According to these there are large variations in the concentration of CBSCs in Norwegian L. pulmonaria, ranging from 7 to 130 mg g. These variations seem to depend partly on soil pH and altitude (Vatne et al. 2011), as well as thallus age (Asplund & Gauslaa 2007). However, exposure to solar radiation does not seem to affect these medullary compounds (McEvoy et al. 2007; Nybakken et al. 2007), as opposed to many cortical compounds (reviewed by Gauslaa 2009). Two chemical races of L. pulmonaria var. pulmonaria are described in North America (Culberson 1969). Chemical race I has norstictic, stictic and constictic acids and two unknown substances; chemical race II has norstictic acid and one unknown substance. However, no quantitative data have been published on CBSCs in North American L. pulmonaria. In this study I aim to investigate whether the palatability to lichenivorous gastropods varies between the two chemical races. In addition, I want to confirm that the CBSCs in L. pulmonaria are unaffected by increased irradiance, even after 5 years at a forest edge.
TL;DR: Aspicilia fluviatilis and A. granulosa, two arctic and/or (sub)alpine species with elongate ± diverging and ± branching marginal areoles, are described as new and compared with similar species occurring in Fennoscandia.
Abstract: Aspicilia fluviatilis and A granulosa, two arctic and/or (sub) alpine species with elongate +/- diverging and +/- branching marginal areoles, are described as new and compared with similar species