Biosystematics of the Ionaspis-Hymenelia complex (lichenized Ascomycotina) in North America: A study at the generic level.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to circumscribe natural entities within the Ionaspis-Hymenelia complex and to assess the degree of similarity of these entities along with related genera, Eiglera and Aspicilia. A total of six species groups ("alba", epulotica, haematina, lacustris, melanocarpa, and odora) were recognized within the Ionaspis-Hymenelia complex; Eiglera and Aspicilia were maintained as distinct genera. For the most part, the cluster analysis of the electrophoretic data concurred with that of the anatomical-morphological study, except to suggest that the odora group was more closely affiliated with the "alba" and lacustris groups, and that the genus Eiglera and the epulotica group each were more closely affiliated with the melanocarpa and haematina groups. The specimens cited in the original description of the type species of Hymenelia (H. prevostii) were found to be associated with either one or the other photobiont. Three genera are recognized within the Ionaspis-Hymenelia complex. As newly circumscribed genera based on North American species, Hymenelia includes the haematina, melanocarpa and epulotica species groups, and Ionaspis includes only the odora species group. A new genus is recognized, "Hymeneliella", which includes the lacustris and "alba" species groups. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)