A new species of Diploschistes ( Lecanoromycetes ) occurring on Stereocaulon from the Pacific Northwest of North America

Abstract

We describe Diploschistes stereocauloru m as a new species of lichenized fungi growing on phyllocladia and stalks of Stereocaulon in the Pacific Northwest of North America. The larger ascospores of this species, the absence of a noticeable thallus, and the ITS barcode locus distinguish it from D. muscorum , which has been reported as growing on Stereocaulon , but has smaller ascospores and a distinct thallus. In phylogenetic reconstruction, the new species is sister to D. diacapsis , albeit without support.

Keywords

• diploschistes
• lichenized fungi
• new species
• parasitic lichens
• stereocaulon