Open AccessMolecular phylogeny uncovers an overlooked species in the macrolichen family Parmeliaceae (Ascomycota) from India
Author(s) -
Pradeep K. Divakar,
Ana Crespo
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cryptogam biodiversity and assesment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-0251
DOI - 10.21756/cab.esp4
Subject(s) - parmeliaceae , clade , monophyly , biology , pantropical , lineage (genetic) , phylogenetic tree , beringia , evolutionary biology , lichen , phylogenetics , ascomycota , zoology , ecology , genus , genetics , gene , arctic
Several obligately sexualy reproducing lichen-forming fungal species are disjunctly distributed in pantropical regions. Here, we aim to re-examine species boundaries within the sexually reproducing, disjunctly distributed species, Hypotrachyna intercalanda. We gathered a three-locus DNA sequence data set of Hypotrachyna subgen. Parmelinopsis, especially including the samples from India, and these data were analysed in a phylogenetic framework. Our results show that specimens of H. intercalanda, as currently circumscribed, do not form a monophyletic group but fall into two well-supported independent clades. Morphological and chemical features were re-evaluated. Corroborating with the phenotypic features, the sample recovered in clade 2 occurring in southern India are described as a new species, viz. Hypotrachyna upretii Divakar and A. Crespo sp. nov. Our study adds a further example of a previously overlooked, geographically distinct, lineage that was uncovered using molecular data. Additionally, our study underlines the need of critical reexamination of phenotypic features of samples falling into different clades.