HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (48) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stenroos, S. K. Articles by DePriest, P. T. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Stenroos, S. K. Articles by DePriest, P. T. Agricola Articles by Stenroos, S. K. Articles by DePriest, P. T.

SSU rDNA phylogeny of cladoniiform lichens¹

^a Department of Botany, NHB-166, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560

To examine phylogenetic relationships among the "cladoniiform" lichenized fungi, i.e., the families Cladoniaceae, Baeomycetaceae, Icmadophilaceae, Stereocaulaceae, and Siphulaceae, and to provide evidence for the anticipated independent origins of podetia and pseudopodetia, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of SSU (small subunit) rDNA sequences from 39 lichen-forming fungi. These fungi represent all of the major growth forms of lichen associations, fruticose (including "cladoniiform"), foliose, and crustose. Our analysis suggests that lichen-forming fungi with a "cladoniiform" morphology arose multiple times within the ascomycetes. Additionally, each of the other thallus growth forms, crustose, foliose, and fruticose, have originated multiple times. It also seems to be clear that neither all podetiate nor all pseudopodetiate taxa form a monophyletic group. Therefore the term "podetium" should be restricted to homologous structures that are most probably limited to the genera Cladonia, Cladina, Pycnothelia, and allies. The "pseudopodetia" of Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae) and Cladia (Cladiaceae) may represent different states of the same homologous character. Our phylogenetic hypothesis supports the monophyletic origin of the order Lecanorales sensu stricto, including representatives of five suborders Cladoniineae, Lecanorineae, Teloschistineae, Agyriineae and Peltigerineae, but excluding representatives of the suborders Acarosporineae (Acarospora schleicheri and Megaspora verrucosa), Pertusariineae (Pertusaria trachythallina), and Umbilicarineae. The suborder Cladoniineae and the family Cladoniaceae both appear to be polyphyletic assemblages.

Key Words: ascomycetes • evolution • lichen-forming fungi • phylogeny • small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA • 18S rDNA

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Miadlikowska, F. Kauff, V. Hofstetter, E. Fraker, M. Grube, J. Hafellner, V. Reeb, B. P. Hodkinson, M. Kukwa, R. Lucking, et al. New insights into classification and evolution of the Lecanoromycetes (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) from phylogenetic analyses of three ribosomal RNA- and two protein-coding genes Mycologia, November 1, 2006; 98(6): 1088 - 1103. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Helms, T. Friedl, and G. Rambold Phylogenetic relationships of the Physciaceae inferred from rDNA sequence data and selected phenotypic characters Mycologia, November 1, 2003; 95(6): 1078 - 1099. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Lichen metabolism identified in Early Devonian terrestrial organisms Geology, February 1, 2003; 31(2): 99 - 102.

				S. Hammer Lateral growth patterns in the Cladoniaceae Am. J. Botany, May 1, 2001; 88(5): 788 - 796. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]