Lichenicolous species of Hainesia belong to Phacidiales (Leotiomycetes) and are included in an extended concept of Epithamnolia

ABSTRACT

The lichenicolous taxa currently included in the genus Hainesia were studied based on the nuclear rDNA (18S, 28S, and internal transcribed spacer [ITS]) genes. The authors found that lichenicolous taxa form a distinct lineage sister to Epiglia gloeocapsae (Phacidiales, Leotiomycetes), only distantly related to the type species of Hainesia (Chaetomellaceae, Helotiales). Owing to morphological similarities, the authors include the lichenicolous species into the previously monotypic genus Epithamnolia. A new species, Epithamnolia rangiferinae, is described, several names are reduced into synonymy, and a key to the species of Epithamnolia is provided. The incorporation of public environmental ITS sequences showed that the closest relatives of these lichenicolous taxa are various endophytic, endolichenic, and soil-inhabiting fungi.

KEYWORDS:

• Asexual ascomycetes
• environmental sequences
• intraspecific variation
• rRNA secondary structure

Acknowledgments

Rasmus Puusepp is thanked for performing laboratory work, Kadri Pärtel and Ene Kook for pointing to important literature and for interesting discussions, and Franz Berger and Alain Gardiennet for allowing us to study and use their material. The comments of two reviewers significantly improved the text.

Additional information

Funding

The financial support for A.S. was provided by IUT 20-30 and by the European Regional Development Fund (Centre of Excellence EcolChange). M.P.Z.’s research was carried out within the framework of the research project of the Komarov Botanical Institute Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg, Russia), no. 01201255604.