A phylogenetic study of Micarea melaeniza and similar-looking species (Pilocarpaceae) unveils hidden diversity and clarifies species boundaries and reproduction modes
2024
Thor, Göran
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.
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