Lecanora hybocarpa and similar European species
(2025) In Lichenologist 57(6). p.239-255- Abstract
The lichen genus Lecanora is one of the largest genera of lichenized fungi. The core part of the genus is the L. subfusca group and within this group, Lecanora hybocarpa (Tuck.) Brodo, initially described from North America and thought to be endemic, has been reported from several European countries. However, the identity of these European specimens has been increasingly questioned. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between North American L. hybocarpa and European collections, including the morphologically similar L. sinuosa Herk & Aptroot. We performed morphological, chemical (TLC) and molecular analyses (nrITS and mtSSU) on a broad collection of specimens from Europe, Macaronesia and North America. Our phylogenetic... (More)
The lichen genus Lecanora is one of the largest genera of lichenized fungi. The core part of the genus is the L. subfusca group and within this group, Lecanora hybocarpa (Tuck.) Brodo, initially described from North America and thought to be endemic, has been reported from several European countries. However, the identity of these European specimens has been increasingly questioned. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between North American L. hybocarpa and European collections, including the morphologically similar L. sinuosa Herk & Aptroot. We performed morphological, chemical (TLC) and molecular analyses (nrITS and mtSSU) on a broad collection of specimens from Europe, Macaronesia and North America. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that true L. hybocarpa has not yet been confirmed in Europe. Instead, several genetically distinct European taxa share the L. hybocarpa morphotype. Our findings resulted in the description of three new species: Lecanora cryptosinuosa (differing only genetically from L. sinuosa), L. macaronesica (characterized by quite large apothecia with constricted bases and a finely crenulate margin, and the presence of gangaleoidin) and L. subsinuosa (difficult to separate from L. sinuosa, but may sometimes be recognized by darker apothecial discs with inconsistent pigmentation, the occasional presence of a tiny pruina on young discs, and the usually thicker apothecial margin, dentate in the inner edge). Furthermore, we report L. pseudargentata as a new species for Europe. Due to the high morphological variability and cryptic speciation within this group, reliable identification often requires DNA analysis. Therefore, we propose using the name Lecanora hybocarpa agg. for all species sharing this particular morphotype. A key to the epiphytic esorediate species of the L. subfusca group in Europe and northern Africa is provided.
(Less)
- author
- Arup, Ulf LU ; Malíček, Jiří ; Schiefelbein, Ulf and Holien, Håkon
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-11-01
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- cryptic species, Lecanoraceae, lichenized fungi, new species, phylogeny, taxonomy
- in
- Lichenologist
- volume
- 57
- issue
- 6
- pages
- 17 pages
- publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105026724910
- ISSN
- 0024-2829
- DOI
- 10.1017/S0024282925101291
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.
- id
- 077db56b-c040-47f1-9106-3a607772710c
- date added to LUP
- 2026-02-17 12:52:06
- date last changed
- 2026-02-17 12:52:39
@article{077db56b-c040-47f1-9106-3a607772710c,
abstract = {{<p>The lichen genus Lecanora is one of the largest genera of lichenized fungi. The core part of the genus is the L. subfusca group and within this group, Lecanora hybocarpa (Tuck.) Brodo, initially described from North America and thought to be endemic, has been reported from several European countries. However, the identity of these European specimens has been increasingly questioned. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between North American L. hybocarpa and European collections, including the morphologically similar L. sinuosa Herk & Aptroot. We performed morphological, chemical (TLC) and molecular analyses (nrITS and mtSSU) on a broad collection of specimens from Europe, Macaronesia and North America. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that true L. hybocarpa has not yet been confirmed in Europe. Instead, several genetically distinct European taxa share the L. hybocarpa morphotype. Our findings resulted in the description of three new species: Lecanora cryptosinuosa (differing only genetically from L. sinuosa), L. macaronesica (characterized by quite large apothecia with constricted bases and a finely crenulate margin, and the presence of gangaleoidin) and L. subsinuosa (difficult to separate from L. sinuosa, but may sometimes be recognized by darker apothecial discs with inconsistent pigmentation, the occasional presence of a tiny pruina on young discs, and the usually thicker apothecial margin, dentate in the inner edge). Furthermore, we report L. pseudargentata as a new species for Europe. Due to the high morphological variability and cryptic speciation within this group, reliable identification often requires DNA analysis. Therefore, we propose using the name Lecanora hybocarpa agg. for all species sharing this particular morphotype. A key to the epiphytic esorediate species of the L. subfusca group in Europe and northern Africa is provided.</p>}},
author = {{Arup, Ulf and Malíček, Jiří and Schiefelbein, Ulf and Holien, Håkon}},
issn = {{0024-2829}},
keywords = {{cryptic species; Lecanoraceae; lichenized fungi; new species; phylogeny; taxonomy}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{11}},
number = {{6}},
pages = {{239--255}},
publisher = {{Cambridge University Press}},
series = {{Lichenologist}},
title = {{Lecanora hybocarpa and similar European species}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282925101291}},
doi = {{10.1017/S0024282925101291}},
volume = {{57}},
year = {{2025}},
}