Ulrik Søchting

Implementing a cumulative supermatrix approach for a comprehensive phylogenetic study of the Teloschistales (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota)

The resolution of the phylogenetic relationships within the order Teloschistales (Ascomycota, lichen-forming-fungi), with nearly 2000 known species and outstanding phenotypic diversity, has been hindered by the limitation in the resolving power that single-locus or two-locus phylogenetic studies have provided to date. In this context, an extensive taxon sampling within the Teloschistales with more loci (especially nuclear protein-coding genes) was needed to confront the current taxonomic delimitations and to understand evolutionary trends within this order. Comprehensive maximum likelihood and bayesian analyses were performed based on seven loci using a cumulative supermatrix approach, including protein-coding genes RPB1 and RPB2 in addition to nuclear and mitochondrial ribosomal RNA-coding genes. We included 167 taxa representing 12 of the 15 genera recognized within the currently accepted Teloschistineae, 22 of the 43 genera within the Physciineae, 49 genera of the closely related orders Lecanorales, Lecideales, and Peltigerales, and the dubiously placed family Brigantiaeaceae and genus Sipmaniella. Although the progressive addition of taxa (cumulative supermatrix approach) with increasing amounts of missing data did not dramatically affect the loss of support and resolution, the monophyly of the Teloschistales in the current sense was inconsistent, depending on the loci-taxa combination analyzed. Therefore, we propose a new, but provisional, classification for the re-circumscribed orders Caliciales and Teloschistales (previously referred to as Physciineae and Teloschistineae, respectively). We report here that the family Brigantiaeaceae, previously regarded as incertae sedis within the subclass Lecanoromycetidae, and Sipmaniella, are members of the Teloschistales in a strict sense. Within this order, one lineage led to the diversification of the mostly epiphytic crustose Brigantiaeaceae and Letrouitiaceae, with a circumpacific center of diversity and found mostly in the tropics. The other main lineage led to another epiphytic crustose family, mostly tropical, and with an Australasian center of diversity--the Megalosporaceae--which is sister to the mainly rock-inhabiting, cosmopolitan, and species rich Teloschistaceae, with a diversity of growth habits ranging from crustose to fruticose. Our results confirm the use of a cumulative supermatrix approach as a viable method to generate comprehensive phylogenies summarizing relationships of taxa with multi-locus to single locus data.

Influence of Air Pollution on the Epiphytic Lichen Vegetation and Bark Properties of Deciduous Trees in the Copenhagen Area

The epiphytic lichen vegetation of trees in the Copenhagen area was mapped, and the pH, total sulphur content and buffer capacity of its substratum were measured. The S02 air pollution during two consecutive winters was mapped. The S02 isopleths coincide well with the inner distribution limits of the lichens, indicating specific critical S02 levels for the different species. The critical level for Buellia punctata (Hoffm.) Massal. was 90-110 Iog m-3 for Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. 80-90 jg m-3, for Lecanora subfusca coll. 70-80 ,ug m-3 and for Physcia pulverulenta (Schreb.) Hampe 40 ,ug m-3. These species were considered useful as indicators for biological evaluation of S02 pollution in the investigation area. The bark properties changed as follows on approaching the city centre: the average pH decreased from 5.0 to 3.0 whilst the average sulphur content in per cent dry weight increased from 0.25 % to 0.45 ?0. The buffer capacity of bark was higher both in the city centre and the rural districts than in the intervening area at the periphery of the city.

Molecular phylogenetic study at the generic boundary between the lichen-forming fungi Caloplaca and Xanthoria (Ascomycota, Teloschistaceae)

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of rDNA was performed for seven Caloplaca, seven Xanthoria, one Fulgensia and five outgroup species. Phylogenetic hypotheses are constructed based on nuclear small and large subunit rDNA, separately and in combination. Three strongly supported major monophyletic groups were revealed within the Teloschistaceae. One group represents the Xanthoria fallax-group. The second group includes three subgroups: (1) X. parietina and X. elegans; (2) basal placodioid Caloplaca species followed by speciations leading to X. polycarpa and X. candelaria; and (3) a mixture of placodioid and endolithic Caloplaca species. The third main monophyletic group represents a heterogeneous assemblage of Caloplaca and Fulgensia species with a drastically different metabolite content. We report here that the two genera Caloplaca and Xanthoria, as well as the subgenus Gasparrinia, are all polyphyletic. The taxonomic significance of thallus morphology in Teloschistaceae and the current delimitation of the genus Xanthoria is discussed in light of these results.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of the Caloplaca cerina group in Europe

Using ITS nrDNA sequence data, the Caloplaca cerina group (Teloschistaceae) is defined here as a monophyletic, but internally richly branched lineage. The group is also characterized by a combination of morphological and anatomical characters. Its internal lineages are supported by phenotypic characters in addition to ecology and distribution. Within the large C. cerina group, we have found at least 20 phylospecies in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Two species complexes do not produce any vegetative diaspores: the polyphyletic, corticolous Caloplaca cerina s. lat. (six separated cryptic or semi-cryptic species) and the monophyletic C. stillicidiorum s. lat. that grows mainly on plant debris, small shrubs and bryophytes and consists of at least four internal lineages. All lineages producing vegetative diaspores (soredia, blastidia, isidia or lobules) are phenotypically characteristic and represent fairly easily distinguishable species: C. chlorina, C. isidiigera, C. monacensis, C. subalpina, C. thracopontica, C. turkuensis and C. ulmorum. Only the North American sorediate C. pinicola possibly represents an aggregate of species. Caloplaca sterilis is described as a new species. A key to the phenotypically distinguishable species is provided. Lectotypes are designated for C. albolutea, Caloplaca cerina f. coronulata and for C. monacensis. The Australian C. hanneshertelii belongs to this group, but this and other possible species from the Southern Hemisphere are not treated here in detail. Some species traditionally placed in the C. cerina group due to their similar morphology are excluded here on the basis of our phenotype examinations and molecular data. Caloplaca albolutea, C. mydalaea and C. virescens are uncertain taxa and their identities still remain unclear. (Less)

Phylogeny of the lichen genus Placopsis and its allies based on Bayesian analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of the lichen genus Placopsis and related genera in the Agyriales were analyzed using molecular data. We obtained a total of 66 new sequences from the nuclear ITS, LSU and the mitochondrial SSU rDNA. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in a Bayesian and a maximum-parsimony framework. Our analyses show that Placopsis is paraphyletic with members of Orceolina nesting within the genus. A morphological character supporting the Placopsis-Orceolina clade is the non-amyloid ascus. The section Aspiciliopsis as defined by sunken fruiting bodies is not supported, but the type species of Aspiciliopsis is more closely related to Orceolina. This clade shares apothecia with reduced amphithecia as apomorphic character. We suggest resurrecting the generic name Aspiciliopsis. Trapelia is the sister genus to Placopsis and Aspiciliopsis/Orceolina.

Taxonomic revision of Xanthomendoza borealis and Xanthoria mawsonii (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota)

The xanthorioid taxa Xanthomendoza borealis and Xanthoria mawsonii are revised using morphological, anatomical, secondary chemical, and molecular characters. We conclude that most specimens determined as X. mawsonii from the Antarctic are conspecific with specimens labelled X. borealis from the Northern Hemisphere. Some specimens named X. mawsonii from the Antarctic are wrongly determined specimens of Xanthoria candelaria (L.) Th. Fr, including the holotype of Xanthoria mawsonii C. W. Dodge. Accordingly, Xanthoria mawsonii C. W. Dodge is a synonym to Xanthoria candelaria (L.) Th. Fr. The only available correct name for the bipolar species, which comprises material previously determined as X. borealis and X. mawsonii, and is distinct from the more widespread taxon X. candelaria ,i sXanthomendoza borealis (R. Sant. & Poelt) Sochting, Karnefelt & S. Kondratyuk.

The lichen genus Caloplaca (Ascomycota, Lecanoromycetes) on Svalbard. Notes and additions.

23 species of the lichen genus Caloplaca from Svalbard are described and/or discussed. The descriptions are natural language descriptions based on characters for each species coded into LIAS (Global Information System for Lichenized and Non-Lichenized Ascomycetes). A total of 37 Caloplaca species are listed for Svalbard, of which two species: C. elvebakkiana and C. scabrosa are described as new to science. C. alaskensis is recorded for the first time from Svalbard. A key to the Caloplaca species known from Svalbard is provided.

The lichen genus Caloplaca in polar regions

Extensive material of Caloplaca from Arctic and Antarctic regions has been critically examined. A list of 49 species is presented for Arctic regions. They are presumed to have a more or less circumpolar distribution. Twenty-two species are listed from the Antarctic region, but about ten more, probably undescribed species, are present there. About one-third of the species in the Antarctic region are bipolar or widespread in cold regions; these include mainly terricolous and muscicolous species and none of them are maritime. It is assumed that migration of the bipolar or cosmopolitan species has taken place along the Andean mountain chain, whereas the maritime polar species have evolved separately in the two hemispheres. The Caloplaca species of the Antarctic region are provisionally assigned to the following distribution types: continental Antarctic, western Antarctic, insul-Antarctic and sub-Antarctic. Caloplaca exsecuta, C. saxicola and C. phaeocarpella are recorded as new to the Antarctic region. Caloplaca johnstonii (Dodge) Sochting & Olech, comb, nov., is established as the correct name of C. tenuis Ovstedal.

Caloplaca subalpina and C. thracopontica, two new saxicolous species from the Caloplaca cerina group (Teloschistales)

Abstract: Caloplaca subalpina Vondra´k, S{oun & Palice and C. thracopontica Vondra´kS the latter grows on maritime cliffs ofthe Black Sea and is conspicuous by the lobules and pustules which are usually present on its thallusand by its apothecia which are typically large and abundant. The placing of the two species in the C. cerina group was confirmed by molecular studies using nrDNA ITS sequences. The chemosyn-dromes of both new species correspond to chemosyndrome A, which is in accordance with theirposition in the C. cerina group. A key to the saxicolous species of the C. cerina group is provided. Key words: Black Sea, Europe, lichenized fungi, nrDNA ITS, Teloschistaceae Introduction The concept of the Caloplaca cerina groupgroup has varied with different authors. Forexample, Clauzade & Roux (1985) andmore recently Wetmore (2007) have inter-preted it in a broad sense to include specieswith zeorine apothecia, which are not relatedto

Chemosyndromes in the lichen genus Teloschistes (Teloschistaceae, Lecanorales)

The secondary metabolites of 150 specimens belonging to 29 species of Teloschistes were analysed with HPLC. Seven anthraquinones were detected of which parietin dominated with minor proportions of emodin, teloschistin, fallacinal and parietinic acid. The depsidones vicanicin, caloploicin, and isofulgidin occurred together with some compounds of unknown identity in varying proportions in T. flavicans, T. peruensis, T. stellatus, and one unnamed taxon. Nine chemosyndromes were found in the genus. Most species had only one chemosyndrome, but T. flavicans s. lat. had six syndromes. The geographical distribution patterns of these chemosyndromes in T. flavicans are discussed as well as the applicability of chemical characters for species delimitation in Teloschistes.