Abstract
We employed a molecular phylogenetic approach using five markers (ITS, nuSSU, nuLSU, TEF1-α, and RPB2) to assess potential cryptic speciation in foliicolous members of Strigula s.lat. (Strigulaceae), including the recently segregated genera Phylloporis, Puiggariella, Raciborskiella, Racoplaca, and Serusiauxiella, from tropical areas in Asia, with selected materials from the Neotropics as reference. On the basis of combined molecular and phenotypic datasets, two new species of Racoplaca and 10 new species of Strigula s.str. are described: Racoplaca macrospora sp. nov., R. maculatoides sp. nov., Strigula guangdongensis sp. nov., S. intermedia sp. nov., S. laevis sp. nov., S. microcarpa sp. nov., S. pseudoantillarum sp. nov., S. pseudosubtilissima sp. nov., S. pycnoradians sp. nov., S. sinoconcreta sp. nov., S. stenoloba sp. nov., and S. subtilissimoides sp. nov. In addition, we propose the new combination Phylloporis palmae comb. nov. (≡ =Manaustrum palmae) and we validate the earlier combination Racoplaca melanobapha comb. nov. (≡ Verrucaria melanobapha; Strigula melanobapha). Our data clearly indicate a considerable degree of cryptic diversification in foliicolous representatives of Strigula s.lat., particularly in the presumably widespread taxa Strigula antillarum, S. concreta, S. nitidula, and S. smaragdula. Given that these phylogenetic revisions are thus far limited to few regions, we predict that our findings only represent the proverbial tip of the iceberg in this group of lichenized fungi.
Highlights
Understanding species delimitation is crucial for biological and applied sciences and for conservation assessments [1,2]
Integrative taxonomic studies based on molecular and morphological datasets could serve to re-evaluate earlier classifications and provide more accurate species-level delimitations [11]. Such studies have been performed in many different lichen groups, including Cora [12], Leptogium [13], Lobariella [14], Parmelia [15,16,17], Parmelina [18], Peltigera [19], Physconia [20,21], Pseudocyphellaria [22,23], Rhizoplaca [24], Sticta [25,26], and Usnea [27]
Jiang et al [47], recovering the six genera distinguished within foliicolous Strigula s.lat. (Figure 1)
Summary
Understanding species delimitation is crucial for biological and applied sciences and for conservation assessments [1,2]. Integrative taxonomic studies based on molecular and morphological datasets could serve to re-evaluate earlier classifications and provide more accurate species-level delimitations [11]. Such studies have been performed in many different lichen groups, including Cora [12], Leptogium [13], Lobariella [14], Parmelia [15,16,17], Parmelina [18], Peltigera [19], Physconia [20,21], Pseudocyphellaria [22,23], Rhizoplaca [24], Sticta [25,26], and Usnea [27]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
