Generic classification of the Verrucariaceae (Ascomycota) based on molecular and morphological evidence: Recent progress and remaining challenges

Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological studies have shown that it is necessary to revise the present morphology-based generic delineation of the lichen family Verrucariaceae in order to account for evolutionary relatedness between species. Consequently, several genera were recently described or resurrected, and others were re-circumscribed. As an additional step toward this generic revision, three new genera (Hydropunctaria, Parabagliettoa, Wahlenbergiella) and eleven new combinations are proposed here. A summary of the current taxonomic and morphological circumscription of all genera investigated so far is also presented. Several monophyletic groups are identified for which further taxonomical changes will be required, but for which taxon and gene sampling is presently viewed as insufficient. Clear morphological synapomorphies were found to be rare for newly delimited genera. In some cases (reduced morphology or plesiomorphism), even the combinations of slightly homoplasious phenotypic characters do not allow a clear morphological generic circumscription. Molecular features are envisioned as characters for delimiting these taxa.

Duke Scholars

Author Francois M. Lutzoni Biology