Bryoria rigida, a new Asian lichen species from the Himalayan region

Abstract

Molecular studies have revealed the presence of yet another species in the Bryoria bicolor complex in China, which confirms that the mountains of SE Asia to be an evolutionary centre for Bryoria sect. Divaricatae. The new species B. rigida is formally described. It is characterized by a stiff and coarse thallus, which contains fumarprotocetraric acid and often protocetraric acid as the main substances. A key to the divaricate species of Bryoria in the Himalayan region is provided.

Multi-locus phylogeny of Bryoria reveals recent diversification and unexpected diversity in section Divaricatae

“…Brodo & Hawksworth (1977) suggested that Divaricatae is an evolutionary ancient group but recent molecular phylogenies (Myllys et al 2016;Wang et al 2017) including this study (Fig. 3) show that this section is of recent origin and is currently undergoing diversification, especially in South-East Asia but also in western North America (Jørgensen et al 2012;Myllys et al 2016;Wang et al 2017;McCune et al 2020). High speciation rates have previously been reported in several Parmeliaceae taxa, including Bryoria section Implexae (Boluda et al 2019) and Usnea (Kraichak et al 2015;Mark et al 2016).…”

“…In contrast to these findings, recent molecular studies in Bryoria have also revealed the existence of previously unknown lineages, resulting in the recognition of several new species based on single to three-locus phylogenies but also supported by chemistry and morphology (Jørgensen et al 2012; Boluda et al 2015; Myllys et al 2016; Wang et al 2017). The new species appear to have restricted distribution areas and are confined mainly to South-East Asia and/or western North America.…”

“…Comparison of the distinguishing characters of the species in subclade II, section Divaricatae. Information is based on herbarium material (ALA, CANL, H, KUN, O, TUR, UBC, UAAH and UPS) and literature(Bystrek 1969;Jørgensen & Ryvarden 1970;Jørgensen 1972;Brodo & Hawksworth 1977;Wang & Harada 2001;Hawksworth & Coppins 2003;Kurokawa & Kashiwadani 2006;Jørgensen & Tønsberg 2010;Jørgensen et al 2012;Wang et al 2017;Singh et al 2018).…”

“…4, Table 4). While B. ahtiana is sympatric with B. bicolor in north-west North America, B. fruticulosa, B. rigida and B. yunnanensis are known only from South-East Asia (Jørgensen et al 2012;Wang et al 2017).…”

Molecular studies reveal a new species of Bryoria in Chile

“…It has been comprehensively studied in North America and northern Europe (Brodo & Hawksworth 1977; Myllys et al 2011 a ); however, morphological simplicity and chemical variability make its taxonomy difficult, and recent molecular data have resulted in several changes (Velmala et al 2009, 2014; Myllys et al 2014). Recent studies have discovered additional new species in Bryoria from east-central Asia (Myllys et al 2011 b ; Jørgensen et al 2012), southern South America and the Antarctic (Olech & Bystrek 2004; Fryday & Øvstedal 2012). Temperate South America is a region with an unexpectedly low reported Bryoria diversity, suggesting that additional species may be awaiting discovery in the region.…”