A revision of some species in Lecanora sensu stricto with a dark hypothecium (Lecanorales, Ascomycotina)

Abstract

The species belonging to Lecanora sensu stricto with a dark hypothecium are revised. All species are basically tropical. Seventeen taxa are distinguished. Descriptions of the species and a key to the taxa are included. The new species L. atroanima Lumbsch, L. hypocrocinoides Lumbsch, and L. kalbiana Lumbsch are described and the new combination Tephromela khatiensis (Rasanen) Lumbsch is made. Lecanora melanocardia Vainio is reduced to synonymy with L. coronulans Nyl.; Lecanora atroaeruginosa Vainio with Vainionora flavovirens (Fee) Kalb; and L. kumaoensis Rasanen with Tephromela khatiensis. Several taxa are excluded from the group and tentatively placed in the L. granifera group and Vainionora. The presence of a dark hypothecium is considered to be of no taxonomic significance above species rank-in Lecanora sensu stricto since no additional correlating characters were found. The problems of distinguishing this group of species from Vainionora Kalb are briefly discussed. The two genera differ mainly on the basis of conidial type. Show more