Understanding the evolution of phenotypical characters in the Micarea prasina group (Pilocarpaceae) and descriptions of six new species within the group

By

Guzow-Krzemińska, Beata
Sérusiaux, Emmanuël
Boom, Pieter P. G. (Pieter Pacificus Gerardus), 1945-
Brand, A. Maarten
Kantelinen, Annina
Łubek, Anna
Kukwa, Martin

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

MycoKeys

Volume

57

Pages

1-30

Subjects

ancestral state reconstruction , lichenised fungi , Morphology , mtSSU rDNA , secondary metabolites , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2011-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.57.33267

 

Abstract

Six new Micarea species are described from Europe. Phylogenetic analyses, based on three loci, i.e. mtSSU rDNA, Mcm7 and ITS rDNA and ancestral state reconstructions, were used to evaluate infra-group divisions and the role of secondary metabolites and selected morphological characters on the taxonomy in the M.prasina group. Two main lineages were found within the group. The Micareamicrococca clade consists of twelve species, including the long-known M.micrococca and the newly described M.microsorediata, M.nigra and M.pauli. Within this clade, most species produce methoxymicareic acid, with the exceptions of M.levicula and M.viridileprosa producing gyrophoric acid. The M.prasina clade includes the newly described M.azorica closely related to M.prasina s.str., M.aeruginoprasina sp. nov. and M.isidioprasina sp. nov. The species within this clade are characterised by the production of micareic acid, with the exception of M.herbarum which lacks any detectable substances and M.subviridescens that produces prasinic acid. Based on our reconstructions, it was concluded that the ancestor of the M.prasina group probably had a thallus consisting of goniocysts, which were lost several times during evolution, while isidia and soredia evolved independently at multiple times. Our research supported the view that the ancestor of M.prasina group did not produce any secondary substances, but they were gained independently in different lineages, such as methoxymicareic acid which is restricted to M.micrococca and allied species or micareic acid present in the M.prasina clade.