title: A single macrolichen constitutes hundreds of unrecognized species.
abstract: The number of Fungi is estimated at between 1.5 and 3 million. Lichenized species are thought to make up a comparatively small portion of this figure, with unrecognized species richness hidden among little-studied, tropical microlichens. Recent findings, however, suggest that some macrolichens contain a large number of unrecognized taxa, increasing known species richness by an order of magnitude or more. Here we report the existence of at least 126 species in what until recently was believed to be a single taxon: the basidiolichen fungus Dictyonema glabratum, also known as Cora pavonia. Notably, these species are not cryptic but morphologically distinct. A predictive model suggests an even larger number, with more than 400 species. These results call into question species concepts in presumably well-known macrolichens and demonstrate the need for accurately documenting such species richness, given the importance of these lichens in endangered ecosystems such as paramos and the alarming potential for species losses throughout the tropics.
authors: Science and Education, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL 60605; rlucking@fieldmuseum.org.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Lücking
authors: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030;
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Dal-Forno
authors: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030;
authors: Masoumeh
authors: M
authors: Sikaroodi
authors: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030;
authors: Patrick M
authors: PM
authors: Gillevet
authors: Biodiversity Assessment, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador;
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Bungartz
authors: Licenciatura en Biología, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Torre de Laboratorios, Herbario, Bogotá, Colombia;
authors: Bibiana
authors: B
authors: Moncada
authors: Biodiversity Assessment, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador;
authors: Alba
authors: A
authors: Yánez-Ayabaca
authors: Laboratorio de Hongos, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica; and.
authors: José Luis
authors: JL
authors: Chaves
authors: Herbario Universidad de Caldas, Edificio Bicentenario, Manizales, A.A. 275, Caldas, Colombia.
authors: Luis Fernando
authors: LF
authors: Coca
authors: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030;
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: Lawrey
mesh_terms: D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000145:classification*; D008011:Lichens / Q000145:classification*
keywords: Hygrophoraceae; diversification; global diversity prediction