Towards a new classification of the Arthoniales (Ascomycota) based on a three-gene phylogeny focussing on the genus Opegrapha.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

A multi-locus phylogenetic study of the order Arthoniales is presented here using the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nuLSU), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and the mitochondrial ribosomal small subunit (mtSSU). These genes were sequenced from 43 specimens or culture isolates representing 33 species from this order, 16 of which were from the second largest genus, Opegrapha. With the inclusion of sequences from GenBank, ten genera and 35 species are included in this study, representing about 18% of the genera and ca 3% of the species of this order. Our study revealed the homoplastic nature of morphological characters traditionally used to circumscribe genera within the Arthoniales, such as exciple carbonization and ascomatal structure. The genus Opegrapha appears polyphyletic, species of that genus being nested in all the major clades identified within Arthoniales. The transfer of O. atra and O. calcarea to the genus Arthonia will allow this genus and family Arthoniaceae to be recognized as monophyletic. The genus Enterographa was also found to be polyphyletic. Therefore, the following new combinations are needed: Arthonia calcarea (basionym: O. calcarea), and O. anguinella (basionym: Stigmatidium anguinellum); and the use of the names A. atra and Enterographa zonata are proposed here. The simultaneous use of a mitochondrial gene and two nuclear genes led to the detection of what seems to be a case of introgression of a mitochondrion from one species to another (mitochondrion capture; cytoplasmic gene flow) resulting from hybridization.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Ertz, D; Miadlikowska, J; Lutzoni, F; Dessein, S; Raspé, O; Vigneron, N; Hofstetter, V; Diederich, P

Published Date

  • January 2009

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 113 / Pt 1

Start / End Page

  • 141 - 152

PubMed ID

  • 18929650

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1469-8102

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0953-7562

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.mycres.2008.09.002

Language

  • eng