Hidden in the dark under umbrellas: two new Psilolechia species (lichenized Ascomycota , Lecanorales ) described from the Czech Republic

Abstract

Recent lichenological fieldwork in the Czech Republic resulted in the discovery of two previously unrecognized entities in the genus Psilolechia which are described below as new species: the saxicolous P. cretacea and the lignicolous P. torii . Both taxa regularly produce a hyphomycetous anamorph in the form of erect, elongate conidiogenous cells on the thallus surface, and both contain unidentified specific secondary metabolites. The placement of the two new species within the genus is primarily based on morphology and chemistry. In addition, three barcodes were received for P. cretacea (ITS, mtSSU) and P. torii (ITS). A key to the five species of Psilolechia currently known from Europe is included.

Keywords

• ascomycetes
• hyphomycetous lichens
• lecanorales
• psilolechiaceae
• secondary
• chemistry
• sterile lichens
• taxonomy