The Lichinaceae are a

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

of ascomycete

fungi A fungus (plural, : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of Eukaryote, eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and Mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified ...

. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

regions.

Taxonomy

The family was

circumscribed In geometry, the circumscribed circle or circumcircle of a polygon is a circle that passes through all the vertices of the polygon. The center of this circle is called the circumcenter and its radius is called the circumradius. Not every po ...

in 1854 by Finnish lichenologist William Nylander. His description of the family mentioned the obscure brown

thallus Thallus (plural: thalli), from Latinized Greek (), meaning "a green shoot" or " twig", is the vegetative tissue of some organisms in diverse groups such as algae, fungi, some liverworts, lichens, and the Myxogastria. Many of these organisms ...

resembling

algae Algae ( , ; : alga ) are any of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic, eukaryotic organisms. The name is an informal term for a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from ...

, with an overall morphology described as either filamentous or tufted ( fruticose). The fruiting structures, the

apothecia An ascocarp, or ascoma (), is the fruiting body ( sporocarp) of an ascomycete phylum fungus. It consists of very tightly interwoven hyphae and millions of embedded asci, each of which typically contains four to eight ascospores. Ascocarps are mo ...

, are described as either endocarpous or

biatorine A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship.tribes The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in part due to confl ...

in the Lichinaceae: ''Ephebeae'', which contained the genera '' Ephebe'' and ''Gonionema'', and ''Lichineae'', which contained '' Lichina'', the

type genus In biological taxonomy, the type genus is the genus which defines a biological family and the root of the family name. Zoological nomenclature According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, "The name-bearing type of a nomina ...

. In 1986, Aino Henssen and Burkhard Büdel proposed the order Lichinales to contain the Lichinaceae. In the 1980s and 1990s, several taxonomic and nomenclatural studies were the basis for the revision of many of the species in the family. Heppiaceae was a family proposed by

Alexander Zahlbruckner Alexander Zahlbruckner (31 May 1860, Svätý Jur – 1938, Vienna) was an Austrian- Hungarian botanist who specialized in the study of lichens. Johann Babtist Zahlbruckner, an earlier Austrian botanist, was his grandfather. From 1878 to 1883 ...

in 1906 to contain the genus '' Heppia''. It was considered to differ from the Peltulaceae in the polysporous

asci ASCI or Asci may refer to: * Advertising Standards Council of India * Asci, the plural of ascus, in fungal anatomy * Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative * American Society for Clinical Investigation * Argus Sour Crude Index * Association of ...

, the rostrate type of ascus (i.e., having a beaklike process), the type of

photobiont A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship.Lecanorales, while the Peltulaceae was included in the Lichinales.

Molecular phylogenetic Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

methods showed that the genus ''Heppia'' forms a clade nested within the Lichinaceae, and so Heppiaceae was synonymized with Lichinaceae in 2003. First informally proposed by Antonín Vězda in 1974, then formally published in 1984 by Josef Hafellner, the family

Harpidiaceae Harpidiaceae is a small family of lichen-forming fungi, containing two genera and five species. It is of uncertain classification in the Pezizomycotina. Taxonomy The Harpidiaceae was first informally proposed by Antonín Vězda in 1974 to conta ...

contains the genera ''Harpidium'' and ''Euopsis''. Although some authoritative sources have folded the Harpidiaceae into the Lichinaceae, some other authorities have preferred to treat the Harpidiaceae as a distinct, independent family. For example, in the ''Outline of the Ascomycota'', the genera were included in the Lichinaceae. In a corrected and amended version of the "2016 classification of lichenized fungi in the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota", the Harpidiaceae was added as Pezizomycotina ''

incertae sedis ' () or ''problematica'' is a term used for a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertain ...

'', a placement followed by recent (2022) review of fungal classification.

Description

The thalli of Lichinaceae species are known to occur in a variety of forms, including gelatinous, crustose, , filamentous to microfoliose or microfruticose, ecorticate (lacking a cortex) and or stratified and very rarely eucorticate (i.e., comprising well-differentiated

hypha A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium. Structure A hypha consists of one o ...

e). The

photobiont A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship.cyanobacterial. The form of the ascomata is apotheciate, usually zeorine, immersed or adnate, often pycnoascocarps, rarely thallinocarps. The (the hyphae or other tissues between the asci) consist of unbranched to branched

paraphyses Paraphyses are erect sterile filament-like support structures occurring among the reproductive apparatuses of fungi, ferns, bryophytes and some thallophytes. The singular form of the word is paraphysis. In certain fungi, they are part of the fe ...

, amyloid or non-amyloid.

Asci ASCI or Asci may refer to: * Advertising Standards Council of India * Asci, the plural of ascus, in fungal anatomy * Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative * American Society for Clinical Investigation * Argus Sour Crude Index * Association of ...

are either prototunicate or unitunicate, and either amyloid or non-amyloid.

Ascospore An ascus (; ) is the sexual spore-bearing cell produced in ascomycete fungi. Each ascus usually contains eight ascospores (or octad), produced by meiosis followed, in most species, by a mitotic cell division. However, asci in some genera o ...

s are simple, spherical to

ellipsoid An ellipsoid is a surface that may be obtained from a sphere by deforming it by means of directional scalings, or more generally, of an affine transformation. An ellipsoid is a quadric surface; that is, a surface that may be defined as the ...

in shape,

hyaline A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from el, ὑάλινος, translit=hyálinos, lit=transparent, and el, ὕαλος, translit=hýalos, lit=crystal, glass, label=none. Histopathology Hyaline cartilage is ...

, and non-amyloid. The conidiomata are in the form of pycnidia. The conidia are non- septate,

or bacilliform, rarely or filiform to sigmoid, and

. No

lichen product Lichen products, also known as lichen substances, are organic compounds produced by a lichen. Specifically, they are secondary metabolites. Lichen products are represented in several different chemical classes, including terpenoids, orcinol de ...

s are made. Most species in the family are saxicolous (rock-dwelling) or terrestrial, while some species are corticolous (bark-dwelling).

Genera

, Species Fungorum (in the Catalogue of Life) accepts 45 genera and 126 species in the family Lichinaceae. *'' Anema'' – 21 spp. *''

Calotrichopsis ''Calotrichopsis'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The famil ...

'' – 4 spp. *'' Corynecystis'' – 1 sp. *'' Cryptothele'' – 7 spp. *''

Digitothyrea ''Digitothyrea'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The famil ...

'' – 3 spp. *''

Edwardiella ''Edwardiella'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. This is a monotypic genus, containing the single species ''Edwardiella mirabilis''. Aino Henssen named the genus after the Prince Edward Islands The Prince Edward Islands ...

'' – 1 sp. *'' Ephebe'' – 13 spp. *''

Finkia ''Finkia'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. This is a monotypic genus, containing the single species ''Finkia portoricensis''. It is found in Puerto Rico. The genus name of ''Finkia'' is in honour of Bruce Fink (1861 – 1927) ...

'' – 1 sp. *''

Gyrocollema ''Gyrocollema'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The family w ...

'' – 2 spp. *'' Heppia'' – 4 spp. *'' Jenmania'' – 2 spp. *''

Lecidopyrenopsis ''Lecidopyrenopsis'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. This is a monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does ...

'' – 1 sp. *''

Lemmopsis ''Lemmopsis'' is a genus of fungi in the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The family was c ...

'' – 3 spp. *''

Lempholemma ''Lempholemma'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. The genus contains about 33 species. Species *''Lempholemma botryosum'' *''Lempholemma chalazanum'' *''Lempholemma cladodes'' *''Lempholemma compactum'' *''Lempholemma corticola ...

'' – 35 spp. *''

Leprocollema ''Leprocollema'' is a genus of fungi in the family Lichinaceae. It was circumscribed in 1890 by lichenologist Edvard August Vainio. The genus is monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immed ...

'' – 3 spp. *'' Lichina'' – 9 spp. *''

Lichinella ''Lichinella'' is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Lichinaceae. It was circumscribed in 1872 by Finnish lichenologist William Nylander. Five species are accepted by Species Fungorum (in the Catalogue of Life). Species * '' Lich ...

'' – 30 spp. *''

Mawsonia ''Mawsonia'' may refer to: * ''Mawsonia'' (fish), an extinct genus of prehistoric coelacanth fish which lived during the Cretaceous period * ''Mawsonia'' (fungus), a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae {{genus disambiguation ...

'' – 1 sp. *'' Metamelanea'' – 3 spp. *'' Paulia'' – 10 spp. *''

Peccania ''Peccania'' is a genus of lichen, lichenized fungi within the family Lichinaceae. , Species Fungorum (in the Catalogue of Life) accepts five species of ''Peccania'', although many more species have been placed in the genus. Species * ''Peccania ...

'' – 3 spp. *''

Phloeopeccania ''Phloeopeccania'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. It contains three species. References

Lichinomycetes Lichen genera Taxa described in 1902 Lichinomycetes genera {{Ascomycota-stub ...

'' – 4 spp. *''

Phylliscidiopsis ''Phylliscidiopsis'' is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Lichinaceae. It is monotypic, containing the single species ''Phylliscidiopsis abissinica''. References

Lichinomycetes Lichen genera Monotypic Ascomycota genera Taxa descr ...

'' – 1 sp. *''

Phylliscidium ''Phylliscidium'' is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy Th ...

'' – 1 sp. *''

Phyllisciella ''Phyllisciella'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. The genus is monotypic, containing only the species ''Phyllisciella marionensis''. References External links *Phyllisciella' at Index Fungorum ''Index Fungorum'' is an int ...

'' – 3 spp. *''

Phylliscum ''Phylliscum'' is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The f ...

'' – 8 spp. *'' Porocyphus'' – 8 spp. *''

Pseudarctomia ''Pseudarctomia'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The fami ...

'' – 1 sp. *'' Pseudoheppia'' – 1 sp. *''

Pseudopaulia ''Pseudopaulia'' is a genus of lichen, lichenized fungi within the family Lichinaceae. This is a monotypic genus, containing the single species ''Pseudopaulia tessellata''. References External linksIndex Fungorum
Lichinomycetes Lichen ge ...

'' – 1 sp. *''

Psorotichia ''Psorotichia'' is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Lichinaceae. The genus was circumscribed by Italian lichenologist Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo in 1855, with ''Psorotichia murorum'' assigned as the type species In zoological no ...

'' – 50 spp. *''

Pterygiopsis ''Pterygiopsis'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. It contains 11 species. Taxonomy The genus was circumscription (taxonomy), circumscribed by the Finnish lichenologist Edvard August Vainio in 1890, to contain the single Brazili ...

'' – 17 spp. *''

Pyrenocarpon ''Pyrenocarpon'' is a genus of lichenized fungi within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy ...

'' – 1 sp. *''

Pyrenopsis ''Pyrenopsis'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The family ...

'' – 40 spp. *'' Solorinaria'' – 1 sp. *'' Stromatella'' – 1 sp. *'' Synalissa'' – 30 spp. *'' Thallinocarpon'' – 2 spp. *''

Thelignya ''Thelignya'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae. It is monotypic, containing only the single species '' Thelignya fuliginea''. References External links * Thelignya' at Index Fungorum ''Index Fungorum'' is an internati ...

'' – 2 spp. *''

Thermutis ''Thermutis'' is a genus of fungi within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy The family wa ...

'' – 2 spp. *''

Thermutopsis ''Thermutopsis'' is a genus of lichenized fungus within the family Lichinaceae The Lichinaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi. Most species are lichenized with cyanobacteria, and have a distribution largely in temperate regions. Taxonomy ...

'' – 1 sp. *'' Thyrea'' – 13 spp. *''

Watsoniomyces ''Watsoniomyces'' is a single-species fungal genus in the family Lichinaceae. It contains the saxicolous (rock-dwelling) crustose lichen ''Watsoniomyces obsoletus''. Taxonomy The genus was circumscribed in 2021 by David Hawksworth, Mark Powel ...

'' – 1 sp. *''

Zahlbrucknerella ''Zahlbrucknerella'' is a genus of filamentous lichen, filamentous, saxicolous lichen, rock-dwelling lichens in the family Lichinaceae. Taxonomy The genus was circumscription (taxonomy), circumscribed by Albert William Herre in 1912. He had orig ...

'' – 10 spp. The genus ''

Lichinodium ''Lichinodium'' is a genus of filamentous lichens. It is the only genus in the family Lichinodiaceae, itself the only member of the order Lichinodiales. ''Lichinodium'' has four species. Previously considered part of the class Lichinomycetes, mol ...

'', formerly placed in Lichinaceae, was placed in its own family (

Lichinodiaceae ''Lichinodium'' is a genus of filamentous lichens. It is the only genus in the family Lichinodiaceae, itself the only member of the order Lichinodiales. ''Lichinodium'' has four species. Previously considered part of the class Lichinomycetes, mol ...

) and order ( Lichinodiales) in the class Leotiomycetes.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q9286154 Lichinomycetes Ascomycota families Lichen families Taxa described in 1854 Taxa named by William Nylander (botanist)