Peltigera hydrophila ( Lecanoromycetes , Ascomycota ), a new semi-aquatic cyanolichen species from Chile

Abstract

Peltigera hydrophila , a new species from Chile tentatively distinguished based on phylogenetic evidence but not yet named, is formally described here. Morphological differences (e.g., non-tomentose thallus) and habitat preferences (semi-aquatic) corroborate molecular and phylogenetic distinctiveness of this early diverging lineage in section Peltigera . Due to overlapping ecological ranges, P. hydrophila shares some morphological traits with aquatic species from the phylogenetically unrelated section Hydrothyriae .

Keywords

• cyanolichen
• cyanobiont
• nostoc
• mycobiont
• symbiosis
• taxonomy