Molecular support for the recognition of theMycoblastus fucatusgroup as the new genusViolella(Tephromelataceae,Lecanorales)

Abstract

AbstractThe crustose lichen genusMycoblastusin the Northern Hemisphere includes eight recognized species sharing large, simple ascospores produced 1–2 per ascus in strongly pigmented biatorine apothecia. The monophyly ofMycoblastusand the relationship of its various species toTephromelataceaehave never been studied in detail. Data from ITS rDNA and the genes coding for translation elongation factor 1-α and DNA replication licensing factor mini-chromosome maintenance complex 7 support the distinctness ofMycoblastuss. str. from the core of theTephromelataceae, but recoverM. fucatusand an undescribed Asian species as strongly supported within the latter group. We propose accommodating these two species in a new genus,Violella, which is characterized by its brownish inner ascospore walls, Fucatus-violet hymenial pigment granules and secondary chemistry, and discuss the position ofViolellarelative toCalvitimelaandTephromela. We describe the new speciesViolella wangiiT. Sprib. & Goffinet to accommodate a new species with roccellic acid from Bhutan, China, India and the Russian Far East. We also excludeMycoblastus indicusAwasthi & Agarwal from the genusMycoblastusand propose for it the new combinationMalmidea indica(Awasthi & Agarwal) Hafellner & T. Sprib.