Additions to the Lichenized Order Pertusariales (Lichenized Ascomycetes) in Pakistan

Nova Hedwigia, Vol. 111 (2020), Issue 1-2, 219–229 Article Stuttgart, August 2020

Additions to the lichenized order Pertusariales (lichenized Ascomycetes) in Pakistan

Kamran Habib1*, Rizwana Zulfiqar1, Abdul Nasir Khalid1 1 Fungal Biology and Systematics Lab, Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan * Corresponding author: [email protected]

With 4 figures

Abstract: We report three species of Pertusariales (lichenized Ascomycota) from Pakistan. Per- tusaria australis (Pertusariaceae) and Varicellaria hemisphaerica (Ochrolechiaceae) are reported for the first time from Pakistan, while Lepra albescens (Pertusariaceae) is reported for the second time only. The taxonomic characters of each species are given, along with an ITS-based phyloge- netic analysis and notes on ecology and distribution. Pertusaria australis is here being redescribed for the first time after its first description in 1888. Key words: Azad Jammu Kashmir; Neelam Valley; phylogeny; taxonomy

Introduction

Pertusariales M.Choisy ex D.Hawksw. & O.E.Erikss is a medium-sized order, comprising 24 genera and 907 species of predominantly crustose to subfruticose lichens in six fami- lies (Schmitt et al. 2006, Lücking et al. 2017). The order has a worldwide distribution, occurring in all major ecosystems, colonising bark, wood, rock or soil, or overgrowing bryophytes and other small plants. Its species are characterized by disciform to poriform apothecia, thick-walled asci and generally large ascospores (Schmitt et al. 2006). The chemical composition is diverse, representing different biochemical substance classes which together with the morphological characteristics and anatomical, supporting the delimitation of many taxa, making secondary chemistry an important identification tool (Dibben 1980, Hanko 1983, Hanko et al. 1985, Archer 1997, Ott & Lumbsch 2001, Mes- suti & Archer 2009, Schmitt et al. 2009, Park et al. 2017). From Pakistan, five species of the family Pertusariaceae have been reported, viz: Per- tusaria ilicicola Harm. on bark and branches of conifers from Swat, P. leioplaca (Ach.)