Phylogenetic studies uncover a predominantly African lineage in a widely distributed lichen-forming fungal species

Abstract

A number of lichen-forming fungal species are widely distributed. Here, we investigate biogeographic patterns in a widely distributed isidiate taxon - Parmelinella wallichiana - using molecular sequence data. Our results revealed that Parmelinella wallichina, as currently circumscribed, is not monophyletic but falls into four clades, two of them represented by a sample only. A third clade, occurring in Africa and southern India is described as a new species, Parmelinella schimperiana Kirika & Divakar, sp. nov. Our study adds a further example of previously overlooked, geographically distinct, lineages that were discovered using molecular data.