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

• DOI: 10.1007/s11557-006-0135-3
• Publication Date: 2006-03-02T09:59:23Z
• Authors: Arne Thell; Tiina Randlane; Andres Saag; Ingvar Kärnefelt
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences

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, β-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.