Opegrapha multipuncta and Schismatomma quercicola (Arthoniomycetes) belong to the Lecanoromycetes

Abstract

AbstractOpegrapha multipuncta and Schismatomma quercicola are two sterile European lichens reproducing only vegetatively by means of soredia. RAxML and Bayesian analyses of newly generated sequence data from the mitochondrial ribosomal RNA small subunit provide clear evidence that these two species do not belong to the Arthoniomycetes, but to the Lecanoromycetes. In our phylogenetic analyses, O. multipuncta is nested in the genus Porina (Porinaceae) as sister to P. austroatlantica, while S. quercicola is nested in the genus Schizotrema (Graphidaceae) as sister to S. zebrinum. The following new combinations are introduced: Porina multipuncta (Coppins & P. James) Ertz, Coppins & Frisch and Schizotrema quercicola (Coppins & P. James) Ertz, Frisch & Sanderson. Schizotrema quercicola represents the first record of the genus Schizotrema for Europe and the first sorediate member in this genus. The species is newly recorded from Norway. The lichenicolous habit of Arthonia invadens is confirmed.