The Pseudocyphellaria hookeri clade (Peltigerales): a species pair-photosymbiodeme speciation complex?
- Author:
- de Lange P.J., Moncada B., Blanchon D., Ranft H. & Lücking R.
- Year:
- 2026
- Journal:
- Plant and Fungal Systematics
- Pages:
- 71(1): 164–191
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.35535/pfsyst-2026-0013
We present an integrative taxonomic revision of the Pseudocyphellaria hookeri
group in Aotearoa | New Zealand. Molecular data of the fungal ITS barcoding marker resolve
the group as monophyletic, in a strongly supported clade on a long stem branch, related
to the P. crocata group. Our study confirms the three species previously assigned to this
group, P. hookeri, P. durietzii, and P. montagnei, as part of this clade. In addition, a fourth
species was detected and is formally described here, namely P. coralloidea sp. nov. It is
characterized by a cyanobacterial photobiont and coralloid clusters of stout, robust isidia
partially eroding into soralia-like structures. Given that the P. hookeri clade contains four
different combinations of photobionts and reproductive structures (durietzii: green, apothecia;
montagnei: green, phyllidia; hookeri: cyanobacterial, apothecia; coralloidea: cyanobacterial:
isidia), we hypothesized that this clade evolved from a polymorphic ancestor representing
both a photosymbiodeme and a species pair. Indeed, both cases are well documented in
other taxa of Pseudocyphellaria. However, our results do not support such a conclusion,
but rather indicate step-wise transitions between photobionts and/or reproductive strategy.
We also found that P. durietzii and P. hookeri are not photomorphs sharing the same mycobiont,
as previously suggested. All four species of the P. hookeri group are described and
illustrated and their taxonomy is discussed, including a dichotomous key. We also provide
information about their distribution, ecology, and conservation status. We introduce the
term “soredisidia” for reproductive structures that represent a transition between genuine
soralia and true isidia. This contribution is dedicated to our esteemed colleague, André
Aptroot, on the occasion of his 65th birthday.
Key words: Lobaria asperula, Lobarioideae, Peltigeraceae, Podostictina pickeringii, Sticta squamata, temporal banding.
- Id:
- 39615
- Submitter:
- zpalice
- Post_time:
- Thursday, 13 August 2026 22:36

