Phylogenetic studies uncover a predominantly African lineage in a widely distributed lichen-forming fungal species

By

Kirika, Paul
Divakar, Pradeep Kumar
Crespo, Ana
Mugambi, George
Orock, Elizabeth
Leavitt, Steven Don, 1979-
Gatheri, Grace W.
Lumbsch, Thorsten

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2016

Original Publication

Nature conservation

Volume

14

Pages

1-16

Subjects

Africa , genealogical criteria , molecular systematics , new species , Parmeliaceae , Parmelinella , parmelioid lichens , Phylogeny , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2012-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.14.8971

 

Abstract

A number of lichen-forming fungal species are widely distributed. Here, we investigate biogeographic patterns in a widely distributed isidiate taxon – Parmelinella wallichiana – using molecular sequence data. Our results revealed that Parmelinella wallichina, as currently circumscribed, is not monophyletic but falls into four clades, two of them represented by a sample only. A third clade, occurring in Africa and southern India is described as a new species, Parmelinella schimperiana Kirika & Divakar, sp. nov. Our study adds a further example of previously overlooked, geographically distinct, lineages that were discovered using molecular data.