This study contributes to the understanding of Physciaceae Zahlbr. lichens in Pakistan by analyzing specimens collected from various regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As a result of this investigation, Kudratovia pakistanica U.F. Ahmad, Afshan & Khalid, sp. nov., is described here as a new species, while Anaptychia crinalis (Schleich.) V & ecaron;zda ex J. Nowak and A. roemerioides Hollinger, Noell & S.D. Leav. are reported as new records for Pakistan. Kudratovia pakistanica U.F. Ahmad, Afshan & Khalid, sp. nov., is morphologically similar to the closely related K. luridata but is characterized by its thick, indeterminate thallus, plane to concave apothecial discs, a thick hypothecium forming a stipe in mature apothecia (up to 200 & micro;m deep), larger asci (68-92 & times; 12-24 & micro;m), and larger ascospores (16-19 & times; 10-12 & micro;m). Furthermore, recent collections-corroborated by detailed morphological examination, molecular data, and evaluation of prior taxonomic literature-confirm Anaptychia setifera (Mereschk.) R & auml;s & auml;nen as the currently accepted name for A. kaspica Gyeln., thereby clarifying its taxonomic status and contributing to a better understanding of its distribution within the country. A detailed taxonomic treatment, including morphological descriptions and molecular phylogenetic analysis, is provided to support these findings.
Gloiocephala pilosella Corriol & Jargeat, sp. nov., a new marasmioid species within the Physalacriaceae Corner, is described based on anatomical and molecular analyses. Morphologically similar marasmioid species of the families Physalacriaceae and Marasmiaceae Roze ex K & uuml;hner are compared. Within the polyphyletic genus Gloiocephala Massee, none of the documented or molecularly related species express close morphological similarity to Gloiocephala pilosella. This new species is distinguished by its pileipellis and stipitipellis featuring long sclerified hairs, comparatively smaller spores, and capitate hymenial cystidia. Additionally, Gloiocephala spathularia Singer is briefly described and illustrated with a colour photograph based on an Amazonian collection. The LSU sequence of this collection suggests its exclusion from the genus Gloiocephala. The boundaries between Gloiocephala and related genera are discussed, and the new combination of the last into the genus Physalacria Peck is introduced.
A new species Periconia neroscuroinea M.B. Khan &T.C. Wen, sp. nov., is described from Gaoligong Mountains of Yunnan province, China, based on morphological features and DNA sequence data. It was isolated from dead leaves of Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton, and is characterized by black dark hairy surface colonies on natural substrate, along with large conidiophores and conidia. Multigene phylogenetic analysis of concatenated from LSU, SSU, ITS, andTEF-1 alpha sequences identified P. neroscuroinea M.B. Khan & T.C. Wen, sp. nov. as a phylogenetically distinct lineage. The combination of morphological and molecular evidences strongly supports the recognition of P. neroscuroinea M.B. Khan & T.C. Wen, sp. nov. as a new species.
A new species of Nothocybe Matheny & K.P.D. Latha, N. vanadurgae Manim. & K.P.D. Latha, sp. nov., is described from Kerala State, India, based on morphology and molecular phylogeny. The diagnostic characters of this species include small basidiocarps with a fibrillose-squamulose pileus, a fibrillose-pruinose stipe with a marginate-bulbous base, smooth basidiospores occasionally with a slight angularity, a sterile lamella-edge with cheilocystidia occasionally with a resinous substance at the apex and copious caulocystidia with a resinous coating at the apex. A phylogenetic analysis based on a concatenated dataset of nrITS, nrLSU and rpb2 confirmed the taxonomic position of this species within the genus Nothocybe of the family Inocybaceae. A comprehensive description of this species, photographs and line drawings of the basidiocarps and the microscopic structures, a detailed discussion and a phylogram showing its position within the genus Nothocybe, are provided.
The distinctive features of alpine ecosystems, along with complex evolutionary and migration patterns, contribute significantly to the remarkable species richness found within these environments. This study aimed to investigate the environmental effects of elevation and microsite characteristics on the diversity and community structure of saxicolous lichens in mountain ecosystems. We also explored the hypothesis that lichen species may migrate to more sheltered microsites in response to climate change. We surveyed 406 plots across seven elevation levels (900 to 2700 m a.s.l.), documenting saxicolous lichen species richness and community composition. Microsite factors such as rock aspect, inclination, and sun exposure were recorded. Statistical analyses included generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) for richness and community weighted mean trait (CWM) by growth form, as well as multivariate analyses (CCA and NMS) to assess the influence of environmental variables on lichen community composition. We identified 195 lichen species, with significantly lower richness at 900 m a.s.l. compared to higher elevations. Richness was also greater on steep and south-facing rocks. Crustose CWM varied significantly with rock aspect, while foliose and fruticose CWMs were influenced by rock inclination. Multivariate analyses indicated that elevation, rock inclination, rock aspect, and sun exposure significantly shaped the community structure. The study highlights the combined influence of macro-and micro-environmental factors on lichen diversity. Crustose species tolerate harsher conditions, while foliose and fruticose lichens prefer steeper, south-facing microsites. These findings underscore the importance of considering both scales of environmental variation when analyzing the assembly and biodiversity of lichen communities, especially under scenarios of climate change.
