Phylogeny of the Acarosporaceae (Ascomycota, Fungi) and the evolution of carbonized ascomata

Martin Westberg (Stockholm): Acarosporaceae has been recognized for a long time as a distinct group of lichenized fungi, primarily characterized by the multi-spored ascus. It is a common and characteristic group, growing on exposed rocks and soil on all continents. The circumscription of the family has changed since the family was originally recognized but today the family comprises 10 genera; Acarospora, Sarcogyne, Pleopsidium, Polysporina, Glypholecia, Thelocarpella, Myriospora, Timdalia Lithoglypha and Caerulium.

We have investigated the phylogeny with the aim at testing the monophyly of the different genera and in particular the monophyly of Polysporina and Sarcogyne, two genera characterized by lecideine ascocarps.

The talk will give an introduction to the family and important earlier taxonomic work in the group. A large phylogeny based on molecular sequences from ITS-LSU, mtSSU and beta-tubulin will be presented and discussed.