Phylogenetic analyses support the recent placement of Canoparmelia scrobicularis into Crespoa (Parmeliaceae, lichenized Ascomycota)

Abstract

A phylogenetic study based on the formal barcoding marker for fungi (ITS) was carried out within the Parmotrema clade to evaluate the recent combination of Canoparmelia scrobicularis into Crespoa, and to assess the monophyly of the genus Crespoa. Twenty-six sequences were newly generated, which were analyzed together with 14 retrieved from GenBank, representing a total 25 species of the genera Austroparmelina (5), Canoparmelia (4), Crespoa (5), and Parmotrema (11). The sequences were aligned and analyzed by MP, ML and BI methods. Our results have shown that Crespoa scrobicularis clearly constitutes a monophyletic group together with the other known Crespoa species, supporting its recent placement within Crespoa and the monophyly of the genus as currently defined.