Phylogeny of the cetrarioid core (Parmeliaceae) based on five genetic markers

Fourteen genera belong to a monophyletic core of cetrarioid lichens, Ahtiana, Allocetraria, Arctocetraria, Cetraria, Cetrariella, Cetreliopsis, Flavocetraria, Kaernefeltia, Masonhalea, Nephromopsis, Tuckermanella, Tuckermannopsis, Usnocetraria and Vulpicida. A total of 71 samples representing 65 species (of 90 worldwide) and all type species of the genera are included in phylogentic analyses based on a complete ITS matrix and incomplete sets of group I intron, -tubulin, GAPDH and mtSSU sequences. Eleven of the species included in the study are analysed phylogenetically for the first time, and of the 178 sequences, 67 are newly constructed. Two phylogenetic trees, one based solely on the complete ITS-matrix and a second based on total information, are similar, but not entirely identical. About half of the species are gathered in a strongly supported clade composed of the genera Allocetraria, Cetraria s. str., Cetrariella and Vulpicida. Arctocetraria, Cetreliopsis, Kaernefeltia and Tuckermanella are monophyletic genera, whereas Cetraria, Flavocetraria and Tuckermannopsis are polyphyletic. The taxonomy in current use is compared with the phylogenetic results, and future, probable or potential adjustments to the phylogeny are discussed. The single non-DNA character with a strong correlation to phylogeny based on DNA-sequences is conidial shape. The secondary chemistry of the poorly known species Cetraria annae is analyzed for the first time; the cortex contains usnic acid and atranorin, whereas isonephrosterinic, nephrosterinic, lichesterinic, protolichesterinic and squamatic acids occur in the medulla. Notes on the anatomy of Cetraria annae and Flavocetraria minuscula are also provided

A new circumscription of the lichen genus Nephromopsis (Parmeliaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes).

The phylogeny of the cetrarioid lichens with bifusiform spermatia and dorsiventral thalli which contain usnic acid is reanalysed using three parts of the genome, ITS rDNA, b-tubulin and GAPDH sequences. Molecular data from five cetrarioid species are presented for the first time, and 13 new sequences are combined with sequences from the gene bank to delimit the genus Nephromopsis. A monophyletic clade of Nephromopsis, Tuckneraria, ’Cetraria’ leucostigma and ’C.’ melaloma is identified and circumscribed as one genus, Nephromopsis, which now includes 19 species. Four new combinations are presented. A key to the species is provided

Epiphytic macrolichens of Estonia

This handbook focuses on epiphytic macrolichens of Estonia and presents information on all 120 recorded species in three languages - Estonian, English and Russian. An illustrated identification key, a glossary of specific terms and short descriptions of the species with numerous pictures are provided. Hopefully, this format will render it accessible to anyone interested in the wonderfully diverse world of lichens

Microsatellite based genetic diversity of the widespread epiphytic lichen Usnea subfloridana (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in Estonia: comparison of populations from the mainland and an island

Volume: 58Start Page: 27-4

Phylogeny of cetrarioid lichens (Parmeliaceae) inferred from ITS and beta-tubulin sequences, morphology, anatomy and secondary chemistry.

Phylogenetic relationships within the family Parmeliaceae (lichenized ascomycetes) with emphasis on the heterogeneous group of cetrarioid lichens are reconstructed. The results are based on cladistic analyses of DNA-sequences, morphological and chemical data. Almost all currently recognized cetrarioid genera were included in the analyses together with parmelioid and alectorioid members of the presumably monophyletic family Parmeliaceae. We tried to sample taxonomic diversity of the family as widely as possible. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the rDNA and a partial beta-tubulin gene from 126 samples representing 82 species were analysed. Cetrarioid lichens were identified as a monophyletic group, supported by both ITS and beta-tubulin characters. This group was reanalysed using 47 morphological, anatomical and secondary chemistry characters combined with the DNA data matrix. ITS and beta-tubulin sequences provide congruent information, and a clear correlation between DNA-data and conidial shape is observed. The current taxonomy of the cetrarioid lichens is discussed and compared with the phylogenetic trees obtained here. A comprehensive study of the phylogeography of some bipolar or subcosmopolitic species with representatives from both hemispheres was performed. Cetraria aculeata is the only taxon where correlation between DNA-data and geographic origin is observed