Generic classification of the Verrucariaceae (Ascomycota) based on molecular and morphological evidence: recent progress and remaining challenges

Abstract

Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological studies have shown that it is necessary to revise the present morphology-based generic delineation of the lichen family Verrucariaceae in order to account for evolutionary relatedness between species. Consequently, several genera were recently described or resurrected, and others were re-circumscribed. As an additional step toward this generic revision, three new genera (Hydropunctaria, Parabagliettoa, Wahlenbergiella) and eleven new combinations are proposed here. A summary of the current taxonomic and morphological circumscription of all genera investigated so far is also presented. Several monophyletic groups are identified for which further taxonomical changes will be required, but for which taxon and gene sampling is presently viewed as insufficient. Clear morphological synapomorphies were found to be rare for newly delimited genera. In some cases (reduced morphology or plesiomorphism), even the combinations of slightly homoplasious phenotypic characters do not allow a clear morphological generic circumscription. Molecular features are envisioned as characters for delimiting these taxa.

Goodbye morphology? A paradigm shift in the delimitation of species in lichenized fungi

“…We are hopeful that lichenologists, who traditionally have been eager to include new methods, such as chromatography, in their routine identifications, will be amenable to include molecular techniques to their routine examination of specimens for identification and classification. Although this may prove difficult to achieve by single individuals, especially civic scientists that traditionally play and important role in lichen taxonomy (Poelt 1992), the increasing number of collaborative projects in lichenology (e.g., Gueidan et al 2009;Crespo et al 2010b;Lumbsch et al 2011) make us optimistic that broad-scale collaborative approaches will facilitate the inclusion of molecular data in lichen research at all levels. This approach is essential to successfully increase our knowledge of the diversity of lichenized fungi on this planet.…”

Parallel evolution and phenotypic divergence in lichenized fungi: A case study in the lichen-forming fungal family Graphidaceae (Ascomycota: Lecanoromycetes: Ostropales)

“…For example, crustose species in the collective genera Buellia and Rinodina (Physciaceae) or Verrucaria (Verrucariaceae) have been shown to be highly polyphyletic (Grube and Arup, 2001;Wedin et al, 2002;Helms et al, 2003;Cubero et al, 2004;Lohtander et al, 2008;Gueidan et al, 2009;Nadyeina et al, 2010). In these cases, it appears that plesiomorphic morphotypes have been retained in many lineages.…”

A new species of Placocarpus (Verrucariaceae) from southern California

“…Scale=1 mm. species and Xanthoria elegans, and has good molecular support as a genus Navarro-Rosinés et al 2007;Gueidan et al 2009). …”