Xanthoparmelia

Abstract: Generic concepts in the parmelioid lichens have been discussed intensively over the past three decades without reaching a broad consensus. We have now employed molecular data from three genes to provide a basis for a revised generic concept of the parmelioid lichens containing Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan. The phylogeny of the parmelioid lichens containing Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan was reconstructed using a combined Bayesian analysis of nuclear ITS, LSU rDNA and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences, and a maximum parsimony analysis was also made for comparison. 179 new partial sequences of 58 taxa were generated and 12 sequences were downloaded from GenBank. Our results indicate that the lichens containing Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan form a monophyletic group. However, the segregates proposed earlier do not form distinct clades within the group. Alternative hypotheses of monophyletic Karoowia and Neofuscelia that are not nested within Xanthoparmelia were rejected with our dataset; Karoowia is polyphyletic, and Neofuscelia is reduced to synonymy under Xanthoparmelia. Xanthomaculina convoluta also belongs to Xanthoparmelia. Since we were unable to sequence the umbilicate type species ofXanthomaculina, we refrain from synonymizing that genus with Xanthoparmelia here. The synonymy of Chondropsis and Paraparmelia under Xanthoparmelia already proposed is supported. The revised and enlarged genus Xanthoparmelia includes species that have cell walls with Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan, a palisade plectenchyma with a pored epicortex, lack pseudocyphellae, with usually simple rhizines, generally bifusiform conidia, and medullary chemical diversity. Ten new names are proposed, and 129 new combinations are made into Xanthoparmelia.

Abstract: Hale, Mason E. A Synopsis of the Lichen Genus Xanthoparmelia (Vainio) Hale (Ascomycotina: Parmeliaceae). Smithsonian Contributions to Botany, number 74, 250 pages, 75 figures, 1990.—A world-level synopsis is presented for Xanthoparmelia with full synonymies, typLFication of all taxa, species descriptions, and keys. The genus is characterized by the presence of usnic acid in the cortex, a positive lichenin test, oil bodies in the rhizines, saxicolous or terricolous habit, uniform small ellipsoid colorless spores, and bifusiform or rarely cylindrical conidia. The lower surface is rhizinate except in a few species and brown or black. Cilia are lacking. The 406 species occur primarily in southern Africa (212) and Australia (145). Two new species are described; X. greytonensis Hale and X. kasachstania Hale. Four new combinations are made: X. mutabilis (Taylor) Hale, X. perplexa (Stizenberger) Hale, X. sigillata (Brusse) Hale, and X. verecunda (Bmsse) Hale. One new name is proposed: X. neopropaguloides Hale. Official publication date is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution’s annual report, Smithsonian Year. Series cover DESIGN; Leaf clearing from the katsura tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum Siebold and Zuccarini. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Hale, Mason E. A synopsis of the lichen genus Xanthoparmelia (Vainio) Hale (Ascomycotina, Parmeliaceae) / Mason E. Hale (Smithsonian contributions to botany ; no. 74) Includes bibliographical references. SupL of Docs, no.: SI 1.29:74 1. Xanthoparmelia—Classification. I. Title. II. Series. QKLS2747 no. 74 [QK585.P2] 581s-dc20 [589.1] 89-600293