A phylogenetic study of Micarea melaeniza and similar-looking species (Pilocarpaceae) unveils hidden diversity and clarifies species boundaries and reproduction modes

Abstract

Micarea (Ascomycota, Pilocarpaceae) is a large cosmopolitan genus of crustose lichens. We investigated molecular systematics and taxonomy of the poorly known Micarea melaeniza group focussing on M. melaeniza , M. nigella and M. osloensis . A total of 54 new sequences were generated and using Bayesian and maximum likelihood analysis of two markers (nuITS and mtSSU), we discovered two previously unrecognized phylo- genetic lineages, one of which is described here as Micarea eurasiatica Kantelinen & G. Thor, sp. nov. , morphologically characterized by pycnidia that are sessile to emergent, cy- lindrically shaped, with greenish-black K+ olive green, wall pigmentation and containing large mesoconidia up to 6 mu m in length. The species is known from Japan and Finland. In addition, we show that the reproduction biology of M. osloensis has been poorly under- stood and that the species often occurs as an anamorph with stipitate pycnidia. We pres- ent a species synopsis and notes on pigments. Our research supports previous results of asexuality being an important reproductive strategy of species growing on dead wood.

Keywords

Biodiversity; DNA-barcoding; lichenized ascomycete; new species; overlooked taxa; reproduction mode

Published in

MycoKeys
2024, number: 106, pages: 327-354
Publisher: PENSOFT PUBLISHERS

SLU Authors

• Thor, Göran

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Microbiology
Biological Systematics

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.106.123484

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/131418