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Previous molecular phylogenetic analysis in comparison with phenotype characters of Gomphillaceae resolved a total of 38 genus-level clades among the studied species, 17 of which in need to be recognized and formally established as new or reinstated genera. The four reinstated genus names, including one validation, are Microxyphiomyces Bat., Valle & Peres, Psathyromyces Bat. & Peres, Spinomyces Bat. & Peres ex Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., and Sporocybomyces H. Maia. The remaining 13 are newly described: Adelphomyces Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Aptrootidea Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Aulaxinella Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Batistomyces Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Bezerroplaca Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Caleniella Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Monocalenia Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Pseudocalenia Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Roselviria Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Santricharia Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Sipmanidea Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., Verruciplaca Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov., and Vezdamyces Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, gen. nov. The following 53 new combinations are introduced for the species included in the new and reinstated genera: Adelphomyces cochlearifer (Lücking & Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. epithallina (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. parvula (Hafellner & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Aptrootidea amapensis (Bat. & Poroca) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. atrofusca (R. Sant.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. atromuralis (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. marginata (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. triseptata (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. wilsoniorum (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Aulaxinella corticola (Kalb & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. minuta (R. Sant.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., A. multiseptata (R. Sant.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Batistomyces pallidus (Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., B. hyalinus (Kalb & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Bezerroplaca fusconitida (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., B. incrustatociliata (Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., B. lucernifera (Kalb & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., B. pachyparaphysata (R. Sant.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., B. streimannii (Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Caleniella maculans (Vain.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., C. triseptata (Zahlbr.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Microxyphiomyces cuneatus (L.I. Ferraro & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. demoulinii (Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. elegans (Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. kashiwadanii (G. Thor, Lücking & Tat. Matsumoto) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. lancicarpus (Kalb & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. vainioi (R. Sant.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov. (syn.: M. manaosensis Bat., Valle & Peres.), M. santessonianus (Kalb & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. santessonii (D. Hawks.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. similis (Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., M. variratae (Lücking & Sipman) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Monocalenia monospora (Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Psathyromyces planus (Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., P. heterellus (Stirt.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Pseudocalenia solorinoides (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Roselviria lobulimarginata (Sipman & Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., R. purulhensis (Lücking, Sérus. & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Santricharia farinosa (R. Sant.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Sipmanidea neotropica (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. et stat nov., S. furcata (Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Spinomyces aggregatus (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. et stat. nov., S. albostrigosus (Lücking, Sérus. & Vězda) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., S. deslooveri (Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., S. guatemalensis (Lücking & Barillas) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., S. microcarpus (Etayo & Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., S. verrucosus (Sérus.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Sporocybomyces leucomuralis (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., S. leucotrichoides (Vain.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., S. macgregorii (Vain.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Verruciplaca calcarea (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. et stat. nov., V. verrucifera (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov., Vezdamyces albopruinosus (Lücking) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. et stat. nov., and V. vulgaris (Müll. Arg.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: Leaf traits play an important role in the epiphyll colonization of leaves. Although ferns are common in forest understories, they have been widely ignored as possible host plants. We asked: How does epiphyll colonization (cover, richness, and composition) differ among fern species depending on their leaf longevity and surface wettability? Location: Tropical Biological Station of "Los Tuxtlas", Veracruz (Mexico). Methods: Epiphyll cover was monitored on leaves of six individuals per species after 2, 5, 12, 16.5, and 26 months. Leaf longevity was calculated from leaf turnover rates over 24 months. Leaf wettability was determined through the contact angle technique. Results: All studied fern species had hydrophilic leaf surfaces. Fern species with shorter leaf longevity (14.4–17.8 months) were colonized faster by epiphylls than species with longer leaf life spans (33.9–38.8 months). The area of the oldest leaves was covered to 1.2%–26.1% by foliicolous lichens and to 0.3%–2.2% by green algae. Foliicolous lichens were more species‐rich on Danaea nodosa (27 spp.) than on the other fern species (1–9 lichen spp.). Foliose liverworts thrived on the only riparian fern (3.57%). Only 0.04%–1.1% of the area of plastic substrates was colonized by epiphylls. Conclusions: The hydrophilic leaf surfaces of ferns facilitated the colonization of epiphylls, especially of foliicolous lichens. The speed of epiphyll colonization was faster in ferns with shorter leaf longevity but increased in all species with leaf age. However, the relatively low epiphyll cover on fern leaves and artificial substrates in our study might be related to unfavorable microclimatic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the lichenized genus Lasioloma are described from Asia: Lasioloma longiramosum W. C. Wang & A. Abas (collected from Malaysia), is characterized by a distinct woolly prothallus between dispersed thallus patches, comparatively small, muriform ascospores, long filiform conidia (main branch 22–28 μm in length, the other three branches 65–80 μm) and a foliicolous habitat; L. verrucosum W. C. Wang & X. L. Wei (collected from China), is characterized by a warted thallus, filiform conidia (main branch 22–32 μm in length, the other three branches 50–65 μm) and a corticolous habitat. The placement of both new species was confirmed by a molecular phylogenetic approach based on combined ITS, mtSSU and mtLSU sequences, and both are compared in detail to other similar species of the genus. Our study also revealed that the length of the conidial branches, which has not been explored in previous studies, should be regarded as an important feature for species delimitation in Lasioloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, lichen surveys are generally based on the examination of fruiting bodies. Lichens in the mycelial stage, in spores, or awaiting conditions for fruiting body formation are usually overlooked, even though they are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This study aimed to explore the lichenized fungal community composition and richness associated with leaves and needles of 12 temperate tree species using Illumina MiSeq-based amplicon sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 region. Picea abies harbored the highest richness and number of lichenized fungal species. We found that the lichenized fungus Physcia adscendens dominated the leaves and needles of the most temperate tree species. Eleven lichenized fungal species detected in this study were recorded for the first time on leaves and needles. In addition, we identified Athallia cerinella, Fellhanera bouteillei, and Melanohalea exasperata that are on the German national red lists. Lichenized fungal richness was higher in conifer compared to broadleaf trees. Overall, tree species (within coniferous trees) and tree types (broadleaved vs. coniferous trees) harbored significantly different lichenized fungal community compositions pointing out the importance of host species. Diversity and community composition patterns of lichenized fungi were correlated mainly with tree species. Our study demonstrates that the diversity of foliicolous lichens associated with leaves and needles of 12 temperate tree species can be appropriately analyzed and functionally assigned using the ITS-based high-throughput sequencing. We highlighted the importance of conifers for maintaining the biodiversity of foliicolous lichens. Based on the discovery of many red list lichens, our methodological approach and results are important contributions to subsequent actions in the bio-conversation approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, lichen surveys are generally based on the examination of fruiting bodies. Lichens in the mycelial stage, in spores, or awaiting conditions for fruiting body formation are usually overlooked, even though they are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This study aimed to explore the lichenized fungal community composition and richness associated with leaves and needles of 12 temperate tree species using Illumina MiSeq-based amplicon sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 region. Picea abies harbored the highest richness and number of lichenized fungal species. We found that the lichenized fungus Physcia adscendens dominated the leaves and needles of the most temperate tree species. Eleven lichenized fungal species detected in this study were recorded for the first time on leaves and needles. In addition, we identified Athallia cerinella, Fellhanera bouteillei, and Melanohalea exasperata that are on the German national red lists. Lichenized fungal richness was higher in conifer compared to broadleaf trees. Overall, tree species (within coniferous trees) and tree types (broadleaved vs. coniferous trees) harbored significantly different lichenized fungal community compositions pointing out the importance of host species. Diversity and community composition patterns of lichenized fungi were correlated mainly with tree species. Our study demonstrates that the diversity of foliicolous lichens associated with leaves and needles of 12 temperate tree species can be appropriately analyzed and functionally assigned using the ITS-based high-throughput sequencing. We highlighted the importance of conifers for maintaining the biodiversity of foliicolous lichens. Based on the discovery of many red list lichens, our methodological approach and results are important contributions to subsequent actions in the bio-conversation approaches.

The tropical areas of eastern Asia contain a high diversity of foliicolous lichens, including various species of the genus Badimia. Badimia xanthocampylidia W. C. Wang & J. C. Wei is described from tropical rainforests in southern China and Thailand based on morphology, chemistry, and combined mtSSU, ITS and nrLSU sequences. It is characterized by a pale green thallus with yellow verrucae and bright yellow campylidia and the presence of isousnic acid. Three other species, B. multiseptata Papong & Lücking, B. pallidula (Kremp.) Vězda and B. polillensis (Vain.) Vězda, are discussed and the genus Badimia is newly reported from China. A worldwide key to currently known species in the genus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A molecular phylogeny of the genus Byssoloma is inferred from mtSSU sequences using Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses. Byssoloma subdiscordans is resolved as sister to B. citricola rather than to the B. leucoblepharum clade, the B. subundulatum group (species with a compact apothecial margin) is shown to be a monophyletic group, and three species belonging to this group are described as new to science from Hainan Province in China: B. brunneodiscum W. C. Wang & J. C. Wei, with dark brown apothecia, crystals in the excipulum and the presence of 2,5,7-trichloro-3-O-methylnorlichexanthone; B. rubrofuscum W. C. Wang & J. C. Wei, with red-brown apothecia, 3–6-septate ascospores and the presence of 5,7-dichloro-3-O-methylnorlichexanthone; B. melanodiscocarpum W. C. Wang & J. C. Wei, with pure black apothecia, a K+ olive-black hypothecium and the presence of thiophanic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogeny of foliicolous taxa in Pilocarpaceae was reconstructed using Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of concatenated ITS and mtSSU sequences. Sixty-six new partial sequences representing 36 taxa were generated and 29 sequences were downloaded from GenBank. Our results indicate that Lasioloma R. Sant. is nested within a paraphyletic Calopadia Vězda, whereas Fellhanera Vězda is polyphyletic and the phylogenetic relationships of Eugeniella Lücking et al. and Sporopodium Mont. with Fellhanera require further investigation. In addition, Tapellaria parvimuriformis W. C. Wang & J. C. Wei is described as a new species from Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, and is characterized by its small muriform ascospores, grey campylidia with a pale base, and short conidia. Eight new records of foliicolous lichens for Thailand are also listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A first note on foliicolous lichens of Assam enumerating 26 species belonging to 15 genera and eight families are provided. Four species viz., Bacidina apiahica, Byssoloma chlohnum, Calopadia fusca and Strigula nitidula are reported for the first time from Assam. A number of rare species are present, including Aulaxina uniseptata, Calenio aspidota and Psorotheciopsis patellarioides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foliicolous lichens complete their life cycles upon non-deciduous leaves in humid tropical and subtropical environments. The anatomy of these lichens and its adaptations to this specialized niche have received only limited attention. The present work examines the structural organization in seven species of the Gomphillaceae that colonize palm leaves in south-west Florida, USA. Thalli with their leaf substratum were embedded in resin and examined with SEM in backscattered electron detection mode. All species showed a continuous, covering epilayer of fungal origin that consisted of relatively sparse, scattered cell lumina of reduced diameter connected by cell wall-derived material. Fungal cells were intermixed below this layer, with algal cells often resting directly on the substratum. Interactions between symbionts were mainly limited to wall-to-wall contacts without penetration. The epilayer showed continuity with the fungal prothallus at the perimeter of the thalli. Crystalline deposits in the upper portions of thalli were common, particularly in the species of Gyalectidium examined. All thalli were entirely epicuticular; some covered the stomata of the leaf beneath. It is suggested that the prominence of non-living wall materials and mineral crystals in thallus structure might serve to minimize the metabolic cost of fungal tissue in climates where warm temperatures at night result in higher rates of respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Some common leaf-dwelling lichen fungi produce asexual spores (conidia) within curved, dorsiventral structures called campylidia. Their shape and tendency to face in the same direction have generated speculation about how dispersal is accomplished. Here we tested the hypothesis that campylidia orient their spore-producing surface against runoff currents and examined the effects of hydration to better understand the spore dispersal mechanism. METHODS : Palm leaves bearing lichens (Calopadia) were surveyed with a dissecting microscope for campylidia with fibrous debris entangled around the base. Where possible, the direction of runoff flow was inferred from the position of the entangled debris; the angle between this direction and that toward which the spore-producing side faced was calculated for 67 campylidia. Other fresh-collected campylidia were photographed in the air-dry state and again after hydration. KEY RESULTS: Orientation of campylidia was strongly correlated with direction of runoff flow, such that the spore-producing side faced against oncoming runoff. Hydration of campylidia quickly resulted in swelling of the conidial mass beneath a thin flap of tissue covering the conidiogenous surface. The flap then bulged outward, exposing the conidial mass from above within its pocket-like compartment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support previous contentions that water impact against campylidia is important in spore dispersal. However, the morphology of hydrated campylidia and their strong tendency to face upstream suggest that water currents impact laterally upon the thin tissue covering the hydrated conidial mass, thereby extruding spores apically. We contrast these findings with previous suggestions that campylidia act as splash cups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper gives new records of four foliicolous lichenised fungi from the Western Ghats: Strigula melanobapha (Kremp.) R. Sant., S. nemathora Mont. f. nemathora, S. nemathora f. hypothelia (Nyl.) Lücking and S. orbicularis Fr. A brief taxonomic description, remarks, ecological notes and distribution details are provided for all the studied taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 280 foliicolous lichens and 12 lichenicolous fungi was found in an inventory made in the lowland rain forest at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. The species composition reflects 50 % of the world's diversity of foliicolous lichens and is representative for neotropical lowland rain forests. The most common species are Gyalectidium filicinum, Sporopodium leprieurii, Tricharia vainioi, Porina epiphylla, Phyllophiale alba, Trichothelium epiphyllum, Mazosia phyllosema, Tricharia urceolata, and Arthonia leptosperma. Many species show distinct microsite preferences: (1) Characteristic of the shady understory, including Arthoniaceae, Opegraphaceae, Pilocarpaceae, and Trichotheliaceae; (2) characteristic of light gaps, including Gomphillaceae and Ectolechiaceae; (3) characteristic of the canopy, including Asterothyriaceae and Gomphillaceae. Only few species exhibit preferences towards certain leaf types, either dicotyledoneous or palm leaves. The microsite preferences agree with earlier established indices, except for a few species for which modified indices are proposed. Communities resulting from these preferences are illustrated by clustering of phorophytes and associations of foliicolous lichens. The three principal associations correspond to the shady understory, light gaps and the canopy, whereas two subassociations reflect subtle phorophyte preferences. Species diversity and composition are strongly affected by the degree of disturbance of vegetation types at La Selva. Diversity is highest in the primary forest and lowest in young successional stages. The foliicolous lichen flora of open, anthropogenic vegetation resembles that of light gaps or the canopy in the primary forest, while species characteristic of the forest understory disappear.

Foram revisadas as coleções de liquens foliícolas realizadas pelo micologista Augusto Chaves Batista e seus colaboradores no Estado de Pernambuco. O estudo foi desenvolvido em três partes: (1) compilação e revisão nomenclatural dos nomes aplicados por Batista et al.; (2) revisão taxonômica dos espécimes determinados por Batista et al.; (3) identificação dos espécimes também presentes nas coleções, porém não registrados por Batista et al. As coleções estudadas compreendem 474 exsicatas com 1.130 espécimes identificados por Batista e seu grupo, nas quais esses autores aplicaram 55 nomes genéricos e 159 nomes específicos. A revisão nomenclatural aqui apresentada demonstrou que esses correspondem a 36 nomes genéricos e 101 nomes específicos válidos, mais 11 nomina dubia. No entanto, a revisão taxonômica desses 1.130 espécimes revelou que apenas 37 espécies em 16 gêneros foram corretamente identificadas, enquanto que os demais nomes representam determinações incorretas. No presente estudo, foram identificados 1.670 espécimes adicionais que não haviam sido registrados por Batista et al. Como resultado final da pesquisa, foram revisados 2.800 espécimes, os quais atualmente agrupam-se em 37 gêneros e 134 espécies de liquens foliícolas e/ou fungos liquenícolas.We revised the collections of foliicolous lichens made by the Brazilian mycologist Augusto Chaves Batista and his coworkers in Pernambuco state, Brazil. The study was divided into three parts: (1) compilation and nomenclatural revision of the names published and used by Batista et al.; (2) taxonomic revision of the specimens determined by Batista et al.; (3) identification of specimens present in the collections but not registered by Batista et al. The studied material comprises 474 collections, with 1,130 specimens identified by Batista and his group, to which these authors applied 55 generic and 159 specific names. The nomenclatural revision presented here showed that these correspond to 36 valid generic and 101 valid specific names, besides 11 nomina dubia. However, the taxonomic revision of these 1,130 specimens revealed that no more than 37 species in 16 genera were correctly identified, whereas the remaining names represent incorrect determinations. In the present study, we identified an additional 1,670 specimens not recognized before by Batista et al. As a final result of this investigation, we revised 2.800 specimens which actually belong to 37 genera and 134 species of foliicolous lichens and/or lichenicolous fungi.

* Premise of the study: The life histories of lichen fungi are not well known and cannot be readily studied in laboratory culture. This work documents in situ the complete life cycle of the widespread crustose lichen Calopadia puiggarii, which reproduces sexually and asexually on the surfaces of leaves. * Methods: Plastic cover slips held in a mesh frame were placed over leaves in the field and successively removed for microphotography of colonizing lichens. * Key results: Macroconidia produced within campylidia encircled photobiont cells and codispersed with them, a feature not reported previously for C. puiggarii. Dispersed macroconidia readily germinated and lichenized the photobionts. Algal cells were often dislodged from the encircling macroconidia, providing a likely source for the free-living populations observed. Aposymbiotically dispersed ascospores germinated and lichenized nearby algal cells soon after dispersal. Thallus areolae merged readily in early development, although adjacent mature thalli were often separated by growth inhibition zones. Pycnidia are reported for the first time in Calopadia-, their pyriform microconidia probably function as male gametes (spermatia). Pycnidia, apothecia, and campylidia began development similarly as darkly pigmented primordia on the fungal prothallus. * Conclusions: Abundant dispersal of ascospores, conidia, and photobionts allows C. puiggarii to quickly colonize leaves with the dual advantages of sexual and asexual reproduction, and with the added convenience of having its algal partner on hand. Fusions and prothallic capture of additional algae provide many opportunities for multiple mycobiont and photobiont genotypes to be combined in a single thallus, but the outcomes of such events remain to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Gomphillaceae are a dominant component of leaf-dwelling lichen communities in wet tropical forests; their species richness is grossly underestimated. • Gomphillaceae are characterized by a unique synapomorphy, the so-called hyphophores, which are highly diagnostic for phylogenetic clades and serve as base for a revised genus-level classification. • Gomphillaceae diversified after the K–Pg boundary, thus matching diversification patterns of charismatic macrolichens. We present the first broad molecular-phylogenetic revision of the lichenized family Gomphillaceae, based on 408 newly generated sequences of the mitochondrial SSU rDNA and nuclear LSU rDNA, representing 342 OTUs. The phylogenetic analysis of 20 out of the 28 currently accepted genera resulted in 48 clades. Twelve genera were resolved as monophyletic: Actinoplaca , Arthotheliopsis , Bullatina , Caleniopsis , Corticifraga , Gomphillus , Gyalectidium , Gyalidea , Jamesiella , Rolueckia , Rubrotricha , and Taitaia. Two genera resulted paraphyletic, namely Aulaxina (including Caleniopsis) and Asterothyrium (including Linhartia). Six genera were in part highly polyphyletic: Aderkomyces , Calenia , Echinoplaca , Gyalideopsis , Psorotheciopsis , and Tricharia. While ascoma morphology and anatomy has traditionally been considered as main character complex to distinguish genera, our study supported the notion that the characteristic asexual anamorph of Gomphillaceae, the so-called hyphophores, are diagnostic for most of the newly recognized clades. As a result, we recognize 26 new genus-level clades, three of which have names available (Microxyphiomyces , Psathyromyces , Spinomyces) and 23 that will require formal description as new genera. We also tested monophyly for 53 species-level names for which two or more specimens were sequenced: 27 were supported as monophyletic and representing a single species, 13 as monophyletic but with an internal topology suggesting cryptic speciation, four as paraphyletic, and nine as polyphyletic. These data suggest that species richness in the family is higher than indicated by the number of accepted names (currently 425); they also confirm that recently refined species concepts reflect species richness better than the broad concepts applied in Santesson's monograph. A divergence time analysis revealed that foliicolous Gomphillaceae diversified after the K–Pg-boundary and largely during the Miocene, a notion supported by limited data available for other common foliicolous lineages such as Chroodiscus (Graphidaceae), Pilocarpaceae, and Porinaceae. This contradicts recent studies suggesting that only macrofoliose Lecanoromycetes exhibit increased diversification rates in the Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foliicolous lichenized fungus Calopadia erythrocephala Farkas, Elix & Flakus, is described as new to science from the Atlantic submontane rainforests in Brazil. The species is very similar to C. puiggarii, but is distinguished by the presence of a red pigment in the campylidia, the darker apothecial discs and larger conidia. Fusarubin, the red pigment produced by the new species, is reported for the first time from foliicolous lichens. A world-wide key to foliicolous species of Calopadia with single, muriform ascospores is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Epizoic foliicolous liverworts and lichens are reported for the first time from insects, two species of the Shield Mantis Choeradodis, C. rhombicollis and C. rhomboidea (Mantodea: Mantidae: Choeradodineae) in Costa Rica. Five species of liverworts, 23 species of lichens, and several unidentified fungi were found growing mainly on the pronotum, but also on the fore wings, of 60 out of 84 individuals collected at various locations in Costa Rican lowland rainforests. The amount of epizoic colonization and the development of the epizoic 'epiphyllous' communities were more pronounced in C. rhombicollis versus C. rhomboidea and in females versus males. These differences are potentially explained by a longer lifespan of females, which according to the development of the lichen thalli is suggested to be up to 24 months or more, while males show colonization that mostly corresponds to a lifespan of 12 months or less. While the occurrence of epizoic 'epiphylls' in leaf-like insects suggests an enhanced effect of camouflage, we conclude that this occurrence is opportunistic rather than indicating an evolutionary phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To analyse the historical biogeography of the lichen genus Chroodiscus using a phenotype-based phylogeny in the context of continental drift and evolution of tropical rain forest vegetation. Location All tropical regions (Central and South America, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, north-east Australia). Methods We performed a phenotype-based phylogenetic analysis and ancestral character state reconstruction of 14 species of the lichen genus Chroodiscus, usingpaup* andmesquite; dispersal–vicariance analysis (DIVA) and dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis (DEC) modelling to trace the geographical origin of individual clades; and ordination and clustering by means ofpc-ord, based on a novel similarity index, to visualize the biogeographical relationships of floristic regions in which Chroodiscus occurs. Results The 14 species of Chroodiscus show distinctive distribution patterns, with one pantropical and one amphi-Pacific taxon and 12 species each restricted to a single continent. The genus comprises four clades. DIVA and DEC modelling suggest a South American origin of Chroodiscus in the mid to late Cretaceous (120–100 Ma), with subsequent expansion through a South American–African–Indian–Southeast Asian–Australian dispersal route and late diversification of the argillaceus clade in Southeast Asia. Based on the abundance of extant taxa, the probability of speciation events in Chroodiscus is shown to be extremely low. Slow dispersal of foliicolous rain forest understorey lichens is consistent with estimated phylogenetic ages of individual species and with average lengths of biological species intervals in fungi (10–20 Myr). Main conclusions The present-day distribution of Chroodiscus can be explained by vicariance and mid-distance dispersal through the interconnection or proximity of continental shelves, without the need for recent, trans-oceanic long-distance dispersal. Phylogenetic reconstruction and age estimation for Chroodiscus are consistent with the ‘biotic ferry’ hypothesis: a South American origin and subsequent eastward expansion through Africa towards Southeast Asia and north-eastern Australia via the Indian subcontinent. The present-day pantropical distributions of many clades and species of foliicolous lichens might thus be explained by eastward expansion through continental drift, along with the evolution of modern rain forests starting 120 Ma, rather than by the existence of a hypothetical continuous area of pre-modern rain forest spanning South America, Africa and Southeast Asia during the mid and late Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new species of foliicolous lichenized fungi are described as new to science from Bolivian lowland Amazon forest: Asterothyrium vezdae Flakus & Lücking (Asterothyriaceae): Keratosphaera multiseptata Flakus & Lücking (Pseudoperisporiaceae), Phylloblastia bielczykiae Flakus & Lücking (Verrucariaceae), Porina boliviana Flakus & Lücking (Porinaceae), Tapellaria intermedia Flakus & Lücking (Pilocarpaceae) and Trichothelium subargenteum Flakus & Lücking (Porinaceae). In addition, new records of 70 lichen species in Bolivia are listed. Of these, 52 are new to Bolivia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new species and 71 new records are reported from Thailand. Coenogonium disciforme sp. nov. is distinguished by its disc-shaped, shortly stipitate isidia, which leave perfectly circular holes, almost like punched holes, when detached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revision of world-wide material of Cryptothecia candida sensu Santesson (1952) revealed that three different species are involved, differing in the shape of their ascomata, chemistry, and distribution. C. candida (Kremp.) R. Sant. s. six. [syn.: Arthonia lacerata Vain.; C. epiphylla R. Sant.] contains 2′-O-methylperlatolic acid and 2′-O-methylanziaic acid (thallus and ascomata C+ red) and has rounded to slightly irregular ascomata; it is a paleotropical species occurring in Africa and SE Asia (absent in Australia). All neotropical populations previously identified as C. candida contain perlatolic acid (thallus and ascomata C -) and are further characterized by their well-delimited, regularly rounded ascomata. The name Cryptothecia fihicina (Ellis & Everh.) Lucking & G. Thor comb. nov. [bas.: Ascomycetellafihicina Ellis & Everh.; syn.: Myxotheca hypocreoides Ferd. & Wingel is taken up for this taxon. A third species was discovered in material from Australia and China (Hong Kong) and is here described as Cryptothecia irregularis Lucking, Aptroot, KaIb & Elix sp. nov. Its ascomata are radiately elongate and it contains psoromic, subpsoromic, 2′ -O-demethylpsoromic, and confluentic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utility of plastic cover slips as a substratum for in situ study of lichen developmental stages is further explored in a neotropical foliicolous lichen community and in a European temperate corticolous community. Twenty-one months after placement in the tropical forest, the cover slips bore foliicolous lichen thalli with several species producing characteristic ascocarps and ascospores, indicating the suitability of the substratum for completion of the life cycle of these lichens. On cover slips placed within the temperate corticolous community, lichen propagules anchored to the substratum with relatively short attachment hyphae but did not develop further within the one year observation period. Intimately intermixed microbial communities of short-celled, mainly pigmented fungi and chlorophyte algae developed upon the transparent substratum. Among the algae, Trebouxia cells, often in groups showing cell division and without associated lichenizing hyphae, were commonly observed. The potential significance of the free-living populations in the life cycle of Trebouxia and in those of Trebouxia-associated lichen fungi is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inventory of foliicolous lichens in Mexican lowland and montane rainforest revealed a total of 288 species, 238 of which are new records for the country, raising the number of reported lichen species to e. 1800. Among the new records, there arc 29 recently described species and four new records for the Neotropics and the Americas, while five taxa are for the first time reported for Central America. The 293 species now known from Mexico comprise nearly two-thirds pantropical to cosmopolitan or intercontinentally distributed taxa, whereas little more than one-third are Neotropical or American, and only 6% are potentially endemic to the country. A comparison with other lowland and montane rainforest sites in Guatemala, Costa Pica and Ecuador shows that on average lowland sites have twice as many species as montane sites. Also, the differentiation in species composition between lowland and montane sites within the same region is more pronounced (63–75% similarity) than that between adjacent regions (96–99% similarity for lowland sites and 83–87% similarity for montane sites). This means that altitudinal preferences affect species composition more strongly than geographical differentiation. The latter is a function of distance, however, while Mexican and Guatemalan lowland (montane) sites share 96% (83%) of the species, these values drop to 74% (72%) when comparing Mexico with Ecuador. Nevertheless, overall floristic similarity is very high, with the lowest value of 54% shared species found between Mexican lowland and Costa Rican montane forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogeny and systematic position of Gomphillaceae was reconstructed using a combined Bayesian analysis of nuclear LSU rDNA and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences. Twenty-four partial sequences of 12 taxa (11 Gomphillaceae and one Asterothyriaceae) plus two new sequences of Stictis radiata (Ostropales outgroup) were generated and aligned with the corresponding sequences retrieved from GenBank, resulting in an alignment of 82 taxa that was analyzed using a Bayesian approach with Markov chain Monte Carlo (B/MCMC) methods. Our results confirm Gomphillaceae sensu Vezda and Poelt plus Asterothyriaceae to be a monophyletic group, with an unresolved relationship between the two families. Placement of Gomphillaceae and Asterothyriaceae within Ostropales sensu Kauff and Lutzoni, as sister of Thelotremataceae, also is strongly supported. Alternative hypotheses placing Gomphillaceae in Lecanorales (Cladoniaceae), Agyriales (Baeomycetaceae) or within bitunicate Ascomycota (Arthoniomycetes, Chaetothyriomycetes, Dothideomycetes) were rejected with our dataset. After recent synonymization of Dimerella with Coenogonium (Ostropales: Coenogoniaceae), we propose the new combination Coenogonium pineti (one of our Ostropales outgroup taxa in this analysis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary 1. Lichens that live epiphytically on leaves (foliicolous lichens) are one of the most abundant groups of epiphytes in tropical rainforests, with lichen cover on individual leaves often exceeding 50%. In this study we quantified the shading of host leaves by foliicolous lichens, and investigated the capacity of palm leaves growing under contrasting light regimes to photo-acclimate to lichen colonization. 2. Spectral analyses of 11 lichen species with differing thallus colouring and morphology demonstrated that the lichens exhibited absorptance spectra similar to their host leaves. The lichens showed mean light interceptions of 50%, with some species reducing the photosynthetically usable light by up to 70%. 3. Despite such shading, our observations indicated that leaves photo-acclimate to the cover of lichens. The rate of photosynthesis of leaf patches covered by lichens was saturated at lower irradiances, and these patches had higher chlorophyll concentrations than uncolonized leaf areas. Monte Carlo estimates of total daily carbon gain, based on assimilation–irradiance curves and continuous light records, indicated that leaf areas covered by lichens compensated fully for the shading by lichens. 4. These findings do not support the widely held opinion that shading by foliicolous lichens and other epiphylls generally reduces the rate of photosynthesis by their host leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary • Suppositions about lichen reproductive strategies were investigated and elusive early stages of lichen ontogeny documented in a foliicolous lichen community. • Plastic coverslips attached to supportive netting were placed among foliicolous lichen communities within a neotropical lowland forest. The germination and development of diverse lichen propagules colonizing the coverslips were studied with light microscopy. • Foliicolous lichens were observed to begin development from lichenized vegetative propagules, aposymbiotic fungal spores, fungal spores dispersed together with attached phycobionts, and diahyphae. Aposymbiotically dispersed spores and diahyphae were capable of associating with compatible phycobionts encountered upon the substratum, following germination. • Many developing thalli produced characteristic structures (discoid isidia, thalline setae, pycnidia, etc.) which permitted their recognition as typical members of the foliicolous lichen community. Thalline setae in Tricharia were produced upon the prothallus, and subsequently incorporated into the thallus proper by advance of the lichenized thallus margin. Tricharia and other members of the Gomphillaceae showed a distinctive organization of symbionts in thallus growth, whereby the unicellular green phycobiont cells were positioned at the tips of advancing fascicles of mycobiont hyphae. In Coenogonium sp., branching filaments of the phycobiont Trentepohlia grew along prothallic paths initiated by the mycobiont. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some collections from the Neotropics ten species of the foliicolous lichen genus Mazosia Mass. ( Opegraphaceae) were found. Two of these are described as new taxa: Mazosia pilosa sp. n. and Mazosia pseudobambusae sp. n. A key to all neotropical species is presented and new localities for all of them are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine species of Byssoloma Trevisan ( Pilocarpaceae) are reported from a collection of foliicolous lichens from Zaire, and include B. murinum sp. n. In addition, B. usambarense sp. n. is described from adjacent Tanzania. A determination key is provided to all the known African species, and each species is briefly characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 78 foliicolous lichen species were found in a lichen collection from Cuba. Five of these species are established as new taxa: Porina cubana sp. n., P. pocsii sp. n., P. subpilosa sp. n., Tricharia cubana sp. n. and Bacidia ekmanii sp. n. Three new combinations are proposed: Phylloporis multipunctata ( Merr. ex R. Sant.) comb. n. (bas.: Porina multipunctata Merr. ex R. Sant.), Phylloporis plytypoda ( Müll. Arg.) comb. n. (bas: Porina platypoda Müll. Arg.) and Calenia aspidota ( Vain.) comb. n. (bas.: Ectolechia aspidota Vain.). Taxonomic notes are provided for some taxa, and brief phytogeographical comments are supplied for all the treated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Psorotheciopsis Rehm recorded by Cunningham from Calcutta in 1879 has been rediscovered for India after a gap of 135 years. The taxonomic characters of Psorotheciopsis patellarioides (Rehm) Rolf Santesson are provided to facilitate the identification of the species. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rehabilitation of degraded forest is being intensified in Borneo, effort by the INIKEA Rehabilitation Project in Luasong (Sabah) has resulted in healthy growth of native timber species to Borneo. Slow growth rate of Dipterocarps has been attributed to presence of biofoulers on its leaves and herbivory. Therefore, an investigation was conducted to document the coverage and distribution of foliicolous lichens on the leaves of five common timber species Dipterocarpus conformis , Dryobalanops lanceolate , Dryobalanops keithii , Shorea ovalis, and Shorea fallax , planted during this project in 2008. Colonization of foliicolous lichen on timber species was seen to exist in two distinct pattern; leaves of genus Shorea showed surface colonization of 28-29%, while genus Dipterocarpus and Drybalanopsis exhibited a lesser coverage of 15-18%. A total of 32 species belonging to nine families were recorded during the course of this study. Lichen diversity was higher on leaves of Dipterocarpus conformis and Shorea ovalis as compared to the other three species. In addition, nine new records of foliicolous lichens were isolated, identified and their descriptions are presented here., (© 2019 The Author(s).)

Foliicolous lichens are formed by diverse, highly specialized fungi that establish themselves and complete their life cycle within the brief duration of their leaf substratum. Over half of these lichen-forming fungi are members of either the Gomphillaceae or Pilocarpaceae, and associate with Trebouxia-like green algae whose identities have never been positively determined. We investigated the phylogenetic affinities of these photobionts to better understand their role in lichen establishment on an ephemeral surface. Thallus samples of Gomphillaceae and Pilocarpaceae were collected from foliicolous communities in southwest Florida and processed for sequencing of photobiont marker genes, algal cultivation and/or TEM. Additional specimens from these families and also from Aspidothelium (Thelenellaceae) were collected from a variety of substrates globally. Sequences from rbcL and nu SSU regions were obtained and subjected to Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses. Analysis of 37 rbcL and 7 nu SSU algal sequences placed all photobionts studied within the provisional trebouxiophycean assemblage known as the Watanabea clade. All but three of the sequences showed affinities within Heveochlorella, a genus recently described from tree trunks in East Asia. The photobiont chloroplast showed multiple thylakoid stacks penetrating the pyrenoid centripetally as tubules lined with pyrenoglobuli, similar to the two described species of Heveochlorella. We conclude that Heveochlorella includes algae of potentially major importance as lichen photobionts, particularly within (but not limited to) foliicolous communities in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The ease with which they may be cultivated on minimal media suggests their potential to thrive free-living as well as in lichen symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]