Phylogenetic relationships and species concepts in <b><i>Parmelia</i></b> s. str. (<b><i>Parmeliaceae</i></b>) inferred from nuclear ITS rDNA and β-tubulin sequences

Abstract

The phylogenetic relationships of 16 species of Parmelia s. str. are presented based on sequences of nuITS rDNA from 56 specimens, and β-tubulin gene sequences from 29 collections. Parmelia serrana sp. nov. a Mediterranean species morphologically very close to P. saxatilis is described. Parmelia ernstiae is the sister-group to P. saxatilis s. str., and a further undescribed North American species of the P. saxatilis complex may require recognition. The isidiate P. squarrosa is closely allied to the sorediate P. sulcata , which is paraphyletic. Japanese samples of P. cochleata form a monophyletic group but too few collections of these were studied to reach firm conclusions regarding their relationships. An epitype is selected for the lectotype of Lichen saxatilis to unequivocally fix the application of that epithet.