Corticolous sorediateLecanoraspecies (Lecanoraceae, Ascomycota) containing atranorin in Europe

Abstract

AbstractSixteen sorediate epiphytic species ofLecanorawith atranorin from Europe are reported here.Lecanora substerilisis described as a new species from Carpathian beech forests in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine; it belongs to theL.subfuscagroup in its strict sense and is characterized by its usually verrucose thallus, sorediate apothecial margin, epihymenium with coarse granules at paraphyses tips, amphithecium with large crystals and it produces atranorin and fatty acid(s). A new, yellow chemotype ofL. barkmanianacontaining pulvinic acid derivatives is recognized from Austria. Morphological, ecological and chemical variation inL. exspersa, L. farinariaandL.variolascensis discussed in detail, and brief comments on the remaining 11 species are provided. Evaluation of the type material and molecular data indicate that the predominantly saxicolousL. caesiosorais a sorediate form ofL. cenisia. Molecular data confirmed the identities of the sorediate forms ofL. albellaandL. allophanathat are conspecific with their fertile counterparts. New Central European localities are listed for the rare species,L. barkmaniana,L. exspersa,L. mughosphagneti,L. norvegicaandL. variolascens. Positions in ITS and mtSSU phylogenies are outlined for most species. Identification keys to fertile as well as sterile populations are provided.