A molecular phylogeny of Graphidaceae (Ascomycota, Lecanoromycetes, Ostropales) including 428 species

Abstract

We present a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the lichen family Graphidaceae (subfamilies Graphidoideae and Fissurinoideae) based on partial sequences of the mtSSU, nuLSU rDNA, and RPB2 loci. The phylogeny includes all currently available sequences in Genbank plus 897 newly generated sequences, from a total of 908 ingroup OTUs representing 428 species. The phylogeny supports the synomymy of Graphidaceae and Thelotremataceae and confirms that rounded and lirellate ascomata evolved multiple times in unrelated clades within the family. The phylogenetic distinctiveness of Fissurinoideae versus ReseARCh ARtiCLeEimy Rivas Plata et al. / MycoKeys 6: 55-94 (2013) 56 Graphidoideae is also supported in our extended taxon sampling. The three-gene phylogeny suggest that in addition to the three tribes previously established for the major clades within subfamily Graphidoideae, several further clades exist that might represent additional tribes. Specifically, the Leptotrema clade is excluded from tribe Ocellularieae and the Carbacanthographis, Heiomasia, Topeliopsis, and Wirthiotrema clades are excluded from tribe Thelotremateae. The phylogenetic position of these clades remains unresolved but they are not supported as belonging to these larger tribes. Based on the results, the current status and problems are discussed for all clades and genera currently accepted within the family.

New higher taxa in the lichen family Graphidaceae (lichenized Ascomycota: Ostropales) based on a three-gene skeleton phylogeny

“…Based on the results from this analysis and from previous analyses (Lücking et al 2013;Rivas Plata et al 2013), we formally recognize the following further, small tribes within Graphidoideae: tribe Acanthothecieae (Acanthothecis clade), tribe Diploschisteae (Diploschistes), tribe Leptotremateae (Leptotrema clade), and tribe Wirthiotremateae (Carbacanthographis-Topeliopsis-Wirthiotrema clade). In addition, we propose to include the species Topeliopsis darlingtonii and T. elixii in the recently established genus Gintarasia.…”

“…Remarks:-This tribe is here recognized for the first time formally, although it was recovered in part in previous analyses (Lücking et al 2013;Rivas Plata et al 2013). Its members mostly resemble species of Chapsa s.lat.…”

“…In addition to these tribes, the following further, supported clades are recognized: the Leptotrema clade, including Leptotrema Mont. & Bosch in Miquel (1855: 483) and Reimnitzia Kalb (2001: 325); the Acanthothecis clade, comprising Acanthothecis Clements (1909: 59), Gintarasia, Topeliopsis darlingtonii Frisch & Kalb (2006: 39), and the newly described Corticorygma Cáceres et al (Lücking et al 2013;Rivas Plata et al 2013), such as the Melanotopelia-Schizotrema-Topeliopsis and the Acanthotrema-Diploschistes-Phaeographopsis clades, the latter containing Acanthotrema Frisch in Frisch et al (2006: 77), Diploschistes, and Phaeographopsis Sipman in Aptroot et al (1997: 129), remain unsupported. The analysis also clarified the placement of three enigmatic species, two of them newly described in this volume, with unique morphological characters.…”

“…Within the previously separated Graphidaceae and Thelotremataceae, genus-level classification was for a long time based on gross ascoma morphology and ascospore septation and pigmentation, recognizing between 13 and 14 genera. With the revisionary classifications put forward by Staiger (2002) and Frisch et al (2006) and further developed in subsequent studies (Rivas Plata et al 2008, 2012a, b, 2013Parnmen et al 2012aParnmen et al , 2013, genera within the family have been redefined using a phylogeny-based approach and a combination of morphological, anatomical, and chemical features. Thus, at the time of the monographic revisions by Staiger (2002) and Frisch et al (2006), 40 genera were recognized in the group, 21 graphioid (with lirellate ascomata) and 19 thelotremoid (with rounded ascomata).…”

The genus Halegrapha new to Hawaii, with the new and potentially endemic species H. paulseniana and an updated checklist of Hawaiian lirellate Graphidaceae (Ascomycota: Ostropales)

“…Massal.) are far from being settled (Rivas Plata & al. 2013) and it is possible that these genus concepts will not hold up.…”