Different Species Types in Lichenized Ascomycetes

Summary

Species in lichenized ascomycetes can, according to their biology, be arranged roughly into three different categories. Many belong to a group of very stable sexual species, which are homogeneous over large areas. A second group, mostly silicicolous lichens, conists of genetically very variable taxa, where thalli with varied combinations of small, but distinct differences grow side by side; examples can be found within Bellemerea, Fuscidea, Graphis, Lecidea and Sporastatia; taxonomy in this group is difficult. The third group consists of taxa with solely or predominantly asexual reproduction. Such taxa are apomicts, genetically isolated from their sexual relatives. Contrary to a modern trend, but in agreement with taxonomic practice in other groups of plants and fungi, those taxa should be retained as species. Synonymizing would result in the loss of most important information about their evolution and history.