An overview of the genus Glyphium and its phylogenetic placement in Patellariales

Abstract

Glyphium encompasses species with erect, carbonaceous ligulate to dolabrate ascomata that are strongly laterally compressed and dehisce along a longitudinal slit. The five currently recognized members of the genus are separated primarily by whether the ascospores disassociate into part-spores within the ascus. Glyphium has traditionally been placed in Mytilinidiaceae (Mytilinidiales, Pleosporomycetidae, Dothideomycetes). The present study, based on freshly collected material of G. elatum and G. grisonense, was initiated to determine the phylogenetic placement of Glyphium. Phylogenies inferred from the analysis of sequences of six gene regions (nuLSU, nuSSU, mtSSU, TEF1, RPB1, RPB2) derived from six accessions indicate that Glyphium belongs to Patellariales (Pleosporomycetidae, Dothideomycetes). Our phylogenies also support the phylogenetic relationship of Patellaria and Hysteropatella within this order. The nomenclatural history of Glyphium is summarized and a key to species is provided.