title: Molecular phylogeny of the genus Lecania (Ramalinaceae, lichenized Ascomycota).
abstract: The molecular phylogeny of the lichen genus Lecania was investigated using nucleotide sequences from the mt-SSU rRNA, the ITS region of the nu-rDNA, and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit. Forty-six species representing Lecania and other genera likely to influence the phylogeny were included in the study. Phylogenetic reconstructions were carried out using Bayesian inference, ML, and MP approaches. Lecania, as traditionally circumscribed, is not a monophyletic genus. However, a monophyletic group containing a large number of Lecania species, including the type species L. fuscella, was discovered in the analysis, and recognition of Lecania sensu stricto is suggested. L. baeomma, L. glauca, L. gerlachei, L. brialmontii, L. racovitzae, L. hyalina (alias Biatora globulosa), L. chlorotiza, L. naegelii, and L. furfuracea do not belong in Lecania s. str., although the latter two are closely related to Lecania s. str. Representatives of the genus Bilimbia form a well-supported group, as does the 'Thamnolecania' group containing the Antarctic 'Lecania' species, L. gerlachei, L. brialmontii, and L. racovitzae. An alternative to recognizing these two genera would be a wider circumscription of Bilimbia to include the 'Thamnolecania' group as well as affiliated taxa.
authors.affiliation: Systematic Botany, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. rikke.reese-naesborg@ebc.uu.se
authors.forename: Rikke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reese Naesborg
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ekman
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tibell
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D008011:Lichens / Q000382:microbiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D012331:RNA, Fungal