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The Pertusariales are an
order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood ...
of
fungi A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...
in the class Lecanoromycetes, comprising 8
families Family (from ) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictability, structure, and safety as ...
, 31
genera Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family as used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial s ...
, and over 600
species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
, many of which form
lichen A lichen ( , ) is a hybrid colony (biology), colony of algae or cyanobacteria living symbiotically among hypha, filaments of multiple fungus species, along with yeasts and bacteria embedded in the cortex or "skin", in a mutualism (biology), m ...
s. This diverse group is characterized by complex
taxonomic 280px, Generalized scheme of taxonomy Taxonomy is a practice and science concerned with classification or categorization. Typically, there are two parts to it: the development of an underlying scheme of classes (a taxonomy) and the allocation ...
history and ongoing
phylogenetic In biology, phylogenetics () is the study of the evolutionary history of life using observable characteristics of organisms (or genes), which is known as phylogenetic inference. It infers the relationship among organisms based on empirical dat ...
revisions. Originally proposed by Maurice Choisy in 1949 and later formally published by the lichenologists David L. Hawksworth and Ove Eriksson in 1986, Pertusariales has undergone significant reclassification due to
molecular phylogenetics 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 ...
studies. The order includes well-known genera such as ''
Pertusaria ''Pertusaria'' is a large genus of warty crustose lichen, crustose lichens in the Pertusariaceae family.Field Guide to California Lichens, Stephen Sharnoff, Yale University Press, 2014, The fruiting bodies are usually modified apothecia that im ...
'' and ''
Ochrolechia ''Ochrolechia'' is the sole genus in the fungus, fungal family Ochrolechiaceae. It comprises about 40 species of crustose lichens. These lichens typically form uneven, often thick, crust-like growths on various surfaces and are characterised by t ...
'', as well as families like
Megasporaceae Megasporaceae are a family of fungi belonging to the order Pertusariales. Taxa are lichenized with green algae, and grow on rocks, often in maritime climates close to fresh water. Phylogenetic In biology, phylogenetics () is the study of the ...
and Icmadophilaceae. Pertusariales species exhibit a wide range of morphological features and ecological roles, from non-lichenized fungi to various forms of lichen symbioses. The order's taxonomy has been subject to considerable debate and revision, with recent research leading to the establishment of new orders and the reassignment of some taxa. This ongoing refinement reflects efforts to more accurately represent evolutionary relationships within the group. Conservation concerns exist for some Pertusariales species, with ''
Lepra andersoniae Lepra may refer to: * Lepra, a UK-based international charity * '' Lepra'', a genus of lichens {{disambig ...
'' listed as
endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...
on the
IUCN Red List The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological ...
due to its limited range and specific habitat requirements in the
Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, are a mountain range in eastern to northeastern North America. The term "Appalachian" refers to several different regions associated with the mountain range, and its surrounding terrain ...
.


Systematics

The order was formally circumscribed by the lichenologists David L. Hawksworth and Ove Eriksson. It was originally proposed by Maurice Choisy in 1949, as a
class Class, Classes, or The Class may refer to: Common uses not otherwise categorized * Class (biology), a taxonomic rank * Class (knowledge representation), a collection of individuals or objects * Class (philosophy), an analytical concept used d ...
, but it lacked a description written in
Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
, which was a requirement for
valid publication In botanical nomenclature, a validly published name is a name that meets the requirements in the ''International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants'' (''ICN'') for valid publication. Valid publication of a name represents the minim ...
. Hawksworth and Eriksson published it validly as an order in 1986. The genus name ''
Pertusaria ''Pertusaria'' is a large genus of warty crustose lichen, crustose lichens in the Pertusariaceae family.Field Guide to California Lichens, Stephen Sharnoff, Yale University Press, 2014, The fruiting bodies are usually modified apothecia that im ...
'' is the base for both the family names Pertusariaceae and order Pertusariales. It is derived from the Latin , meaning , combined with the
suffix In linguistics, a suffix is an affix which is placed after the stem of a word. Common examples are case endings, which indicate the grammatical case of nouns and adjectives, and verb endings, which form the conjugation of verbs. Suffixes can ca ...
''aria'', which implies possession, and alludes to the characteristic fruiting bodies on the thallus surface, immersed in depressions, and opening through a pore. The order Pertusariales is classified in the subclass Ostropomycetidae (class Lecanoromycetes, division
Ascomycota Ascomycota is a phylum of the kingdom Fungi that, together with the Basidiomycota, forms the subkingdom Dikarya. Its members are commonly known as the sac fungi or ascomycetes. It is the largest phylum of Fungi, with over 64,000 species. The def ...
). It has a complex taxonomic history marked by ongoing revisions and debates. Historically, the order encompassed a diverse group of lichen-forming fungi, including the well-known genus ''
Pertusaria ''Pertusaria'' is a large genus of warty crustose lichen, crustose lichens in the Pertusariaceae family.Field Guide to California Lichens, Stephen Sharnoff, Yale University Press, 2014, The fruiting bodies are usually modified apothecia that im ...
''. This grouping was primarily based on morphological characteristics. However, recent
molecular phylogenetics 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 ...
analyses have challenged traditional classifications, leading to significant changes. For example, '' Agyrium rufum'', once thought to relate to the Trapeliaceae family within Agyriales, was found to be more closely associated with ''Pertusaria'', justifying the merge of Agyriales into Pertusariales. Yet, this merger sparked controversy over which name should prevail due to taxonomic priorities not extending beyond the family rank in fungal nomenclature. The revision of Pertusariales was further complicated by the identification and establishment of new orders. Researchers at the
New York Botanical Garden The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a botanical garden at Bronx Park in the Bronx, New York City. Established in 1891, it is located on a site that contains a landscape with over one million living plants; the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, ...
proposed the creation of Sarrameanales and Trapeliales to accommodate distinct groups of fungi previously misplaced within Agyriales. These efforts align with modern taxonomic practices aiming to reflect evolutionary relationships more accurately. Consequently, the Trapeliaceae, previously associated with Agyriales, was reassigned to the newly established order Trapeliales based on strong molecular evidence distinguishing it from the Pertusariales. This realignment was part of a broader effort to update the lichen herbarium's taxonomic framework to a phylogenetic system reflecting current understanding. Furthermore, within the Pertusariales, the inclusion and relationships of various genera and families have been subjects of detailed study. Molecular data have supported the separation of certain genera, leading to clearer distinctions between closely related groups. The order now comprises several families, including Pertusariaceae, which houses the
type genus In biological taxonomy, the type genus (''genus typica'') 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-bearin ...
''Pertusaria''.


Classification

The classification and detailed breakdown of the order Pertusariales, particularly its division into various genera and families, have been subjects of ongoing debate and reevaluation over many years. Questions have arisen regarding the inclusion of the families Coccotremataceae and
Megasporaceae Megasporaceae are a family of fungi belonging to the order Pertusariales. Taxa are lichenized with green algae, and grow on rocks, often in maritime climates close to fresh water. Phylogenetic In biology, phylogenetics () is the study of the ...
, and the genus '' Loxosporopsis'', as their characteristics partly align with those traditionally associated with Pertusariales but also show notable differences. For instance, Coccotremataceae shares morphological and chemical features with Pertusariaceae yet differs in aspects such as the development of the ascoma, the presence of periphyses, and the type of ascus, alongside the absence or presence of cephalodia. Conversely, molecular evidence has both challenged and supported the inclusion of these taxa within Pertusariales. The genus ''
Megasporaceae Megasporaceae are a family of fungi belonging to the order Pertusariales. Taxa are lichenized with green algae, and grow on rocks, often in maritime climates close to fresh water. Phylogenetic In biology, phylogenetics () is the study of the ...
'', established for the species '' Megaspora verrucosa'', initially placed within Pertusariales, has exhibited close molecular ties to ''
Aspicilia ''Aspicilia'' (sunken disk lichen) is a genus of mostly crustose lichen, crustose areolate lichen, areolate lichens that grow on rock. Most members have black apothecia discs that are slightly immersed in the areolas, hence the List of common na ...
'', challenging its previous classification. Meanwhile, ''Loxosporopsis'', described without definitive familial placement within Pertusariales, has molecular ties suggesting a close relationship with ''Pertusaria'' s.str., despite differing in septate ascospore formation, chemical makeup, and ascoma development aspects. These examples illustrate the ongoing redefinitions within Pertusariales based on a combination of morphological and molecular analyses. Furthermore, the separation between the central Pertusariaceae genera, ''
Ochrolechia ''Ochrolechia'' is the sole genus in the fungus, fungal family Ochrolechiaceae. It comprises about 40 species of crustose lichens. These lichens typically form uneven, often thick, crust-like growths on various surfaces and are characterised by t ...
'' and ''Pertusaria'', remains ambiguous, highlighted by the existence of several taxa with intermediate traits and the high variability in their characteristics. This has led to frequent reclassifications among these genera. Molecular studies have exposed ''Pertusaria'' as polyphyletic, breaking into distinct monophyletic clusters, thereby challenging the traditional monophyletic view of Pertusariaceae. Although subsequent studies have suggested potential monophyly of Pertusariaceae, these findings have lacked definitive support, complicating the taxonomic understanding of Pertusariales and necessitating further research to clarify these complex phylogenetic relationships.


Description

The order Pertusariales is a group of mostly lichen-forming fungi. The
thallus Thallus (: 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. A thallus usually names the entir ...
, or lichen body, is typically
crustose Crustose is a Habit (biology), habit of some types of algae and lichens in which the organism grows tightly appressed to a substrate, forming a biological layer. ''Crustose'' adheres very closely to the Substrate (biology), substrates at all poin ...
, meaning it forms a crust-like layer that closely adheres to the . In some species, the thallus may rarely be slightly or have a small, leaf-like appearance (minutely ). The reproductive structures of Pertusariales fungi, the
apothecia An ascocarp, or ascoma (: ascomata), 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. As ...
, are typically deeply cup-shaped. These structures often start out embedded within the thallus but eventually become more exposed as they mature. The apothecia may open widely or have a pore-like opening, giving them an appearance similar to , a different type of fungal reproductive structure. A well-developed , which is a rim of tissue derived from the thallus itself, usually surrounds the apothecia. Inside the apothecia, the tissue between the spore-producing cells ( asci) is made up of structures called paraphyses. In some species, these paraphyses are found at the base, while in others, particularly those with pore-like apothecia, they may also be present at the top. The asci themselves are relatively short and broadly cylindrical, with a thick, multi-layered wall that stains with
iodine Iodine is a chemical element; it has symbol I and atomic number 53. The heaviest of the stable halogens, it exists at standard conditions as a semi-lustrous, non-metallic solid that melts to form a deep violet liquid at , and boils to a vi ...
(J+). The top of the asci is often more strongly thickened, and they release their spores through a vertical slit at the apex. Unlike many other fungi, the asci of Pertusariales often contain fewer than eight spores. The ascospores produced by these fungi are very large, colourless (
hyaline A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from , and . Histopathology Hyaline cartilage is named after its glassy appearance on fresh gross pathology. On light microscopy of H&E stained slides, the extracellula ...
), and lack internal divisions (}). They have a thick, multi-layered wall, which helps protect them in harsh environments. In addition to sexual reproduction via ascospores, Pertusariales fungi can also reproduce asexually through structures called pycnidia, which produce tiny, spore-like cells known as
conidia A conidium ( ; : conidia), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (: chlamydoconidia), is an asexual, non- motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word for dust, ('). They are also ...
.


Families and genera

The order Pertusariales comprises a diverse array of fungi, organized into several distinct families. These families encompass a wide range of morphological and ecological characteristics, from non-lichenized fungi to various forms of lichen symbioses. In 2006, the order was estimated to contain 450–770 species and "two or three families". Two years later, the ''Dictionary of the Fungi'' (10th edition) included 901 species amongst 15 genera and 5 families in the Pertusariales. , according to
Species Fungorum ''Index Fungorum'' is an international project to index all formal names (Binomial nomenclature, scientific names) in the fungus Kingdom (biology), kingdom. As of 2015, the project is based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, one of three partn ...
in the
Catalogue of Life The Catalogue of Life (CoL) is an online database that provides an index of known species of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. It was created in 2001 as a partnership between the global Species 2000 and the American Integrated Taxono ...
, the order includes 9 families, 34 genera, and 881 species. This significant increase in recognized taxa reflects ongoing revisions based on new molecular and morphological data. * Agyriaceae :This family consists of non-lichenized fungi. They produce small, round, fruiting bodies called apothecia. Their asci (spore-containing structures) are club-shaped and contain eight colourless, ellipsoid to nearly spherical spores. These fungi are typically found on wood and are distributed worldwide, particularly in
temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (approximately 23.5° to 66.5° N/S of the Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ran ...
regions. ::'' Agyrium'' – 3 spp. ::'' Miltidea'' – 1 sp. * Coccotremataceae :Members of this family are lichenized fungi, forming symbiotic relationships with both
green algae The green algae (: green alga) are a group of chlorophyll-containing autotrophic eukaryotes consisting of the phylum Prasinodermophyta and its unnamed sister group that contains the Chlorophyta and Charophyta/ Streptophyta. The land plants ...
and
cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria ( ) are a group of autotrophic gram-negative bacteria that can obtain biological energy via oxygenic photosynthesis. The name "cyanobacteria" () refers to their bluish green (cyan) color, which forms the basis of cyanobacteri ...
. Their thalli (fungal bodies) can be
crustose Crustose is a Habit (biology), habit of some types of algae and lichens in which the organism grows tightly appressed to a substrate, forming a biological layer. ''Crustose'' adheres very closely to the Substrate (biology), substrates at all poin ...
,
foliose A foliose lichen is a lichen with flat, leaf-like , which are generally not firmly bonded to the substrate on which it grows. It is one of the three most common lichen growth forms, growth forms of lichens. It typically has distinct upper and lo ...
, or
fruticose A fruticose lichen is a form of lichen fungi that is characterized by a coral-like shrubby or bushy lichen growth forms, growth structure. It is formed from a symbiotic relationship of a photobiont such as green algae or less commonly cyanobacteri ...
. They produce ascomata within wart-like structures. The family is characterized by thick-walled, colourless spores and the presence of certain chemical compounds like
depsidone Depsidones (+ " depside" + "one") are chemical compounds that are sometimes found as secondary metabolites in lichens. They are esters that are both depsides and cyclic ethers. An example is norstictic acid Norstictic acid is a depsidone produ ...
s and
depside A depside is a type of polyphenolic compound composed of two or more monocyclic aromatic units linked by an ester group. Depsides are most often found in lichens, but have also been isolated from higher plants, including species of the Ericaceae, ...
s. They grow on bark, rocks, and soil, with a distribution centered in temperate areas of the Southern Hemisphere. ::'' Coccotrema'' – 16 spp. ::'' Gyalectaria'' – 3 spp. ::'' Parasiphula'' – 7 spp. * Icmadophilaceae :This family comprises lichenized fungi that form symbiotic relationships with green algae. Their thalli range from crustose to fruticose. They produce distinctive fruiting bodies that are often stalked. Their asci are thin-walled and contain eight colourless spores that can be non-septate or have one septum. These lichens typically contain gyrophoric acid and are found on bark, rocks, and soil, particularly in temperate mountainous regions worldwide. ::'' Dibaeis'' – ca. 14 spp. ::'' Endocena'' – 2 spp. ::'' Icmadophila'' – 4 spp. ::'' Knightiellastrum'' – 1 spp. ::'' Pseudobaeomyces'' – 1 sp. ::'' Siphula'' – 26 spp. ::'' Siphulella'' – 1 sp. ::'' Siphulopsis'' – 1 sp. ::'' Thamnolia'' – 6 spp. *
Megasporaceae Megasporaceae are a family of fungi belonging to the order Pertusariales. Taxa are lichenized with green algae, and grow on rocks, often in maritime climates close to fresh water. Phylogenetic In biology, phylogenetics () is the study of the ...
:Members of the Megasporaceae are lichenized fungi with thalli ranging from crustose to foliose. They form symbiotic relationships with green algae. Their fruiting bodies are typically immersed in the thallus. The family is characterized by thin-walled asci containing non-septate, ellipsoid spores. They produce various secondary metabolites including aliphatic acids and depsidones. These lichens are often found growing on soil,
plant litter Plant litter (also leaf litter, tree litter, soil litter, litterfall, or duff) is dead plant material (such as leaves, bark, needles, twigs, and cladodes) that has fallen to the ground. This detritus or dead organic material and its constituent ...
, or
bryophyte Bryophytes () are a group of embryophyte, land plants (embryophytes), sometimes treated as a taxonomic Division (taxonomy), division referred to as Bryophyta ''Sensu#Common qualifiers, sensu lato'', that contains three groups of non-vascular pla ...
s in temperate regions. ::''
Aspicilia ''Aspicilia'' (sunken disk lichen) is a genus of mostly crustose lichen, crustose areolate lichen, areolate lichens that grow on rock. Most members have black apothecia discs that are slightly immersed in the areolas, hence the List of common na ...
'' – about 200 spp. ::'' Aspiciliella'' – 4 spp. ::'' Atrostelia'' – 1 sp. ::'' Circinaria'' – ca. 40 spp. ::'' Lobothallia'' – 12 spp. ::'' Megaspora'' – 4 spp. ::'' Oxneriaria'' – 16 spp. ::'' Sagedia'' – ca. 30 spp. ::'' Teuvoa'' – 5 spp. * Microcaliciaceae :This small family consists of non-lichenized or
lichenicolous fungi A lichenicolous fungus is a member of a specialised group of fungi that live exclusively on lichens as their host (biology), host organisms. These fungi, comprising over 2,000 known species across 280 genera, exhibit a wide range of ecological st ...
(fungi that grow on lichens). They produce distinctive fruiting bodies called (a powdery mass of ascospores and paraphyses), which can be or stalked. Their spores are needle-shaped and colourless. The family is characterized by
ellipsoid An ellipsoid is a surface that can be obtained from a sphere by deforming it by means of directional Scaling (geometry), scalings, or more generally, of an affine transformation. An ellipsoid is a quadric surface;  that is, a Surface (mathemat ...
asci and small, round to ellipsoid
conidia A conidium ( ; : conidia), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (: chlamydoconidia), is an asexual, non- motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word for dust, ('). They are also ...
. These fungi are typically found growing on bark, wood, or other lichens. ::'' Microcalicium'' – 4 spp. * Ochrolechiaceae :The family Ochrolechiaceae consists of a single genus of crustose lichens that partner with
green algae The green algae (: green alga) are a group of chlorophyll-containing autotrophic eukaryotes consisting of the phylum Prasinodermophyta and its unnamed sister group that contains the Chlorophyta and Charophyta/ Streptophyta. The land plants ...
. They produce disc-shaped fruiting bodies (apothecia) with a distinctive structure. Their asci contain large, colourless, non-septate spores. These lichens are known for producing various chemical compounds including depsides, depsidones, and
lichexanthone Lichexanthone is an organic compound in the structural class of chemicals known as xanthones. Lichexanthone was first isolated and identified by Japanese chemists from a species of foliose lichen, leafy lichen in the 1940s. The compound is known ...
. They can be found growing on bark, rocks, and soil. ::''
Ochrolechia ''Ochrolechia'' is the sole genus in the fungus, fungal family Ochrolechiaceae. It comprises about 40 species of crustose lichens. These lichens typically form uneven, often thick, crust-like growths on various surfaces and are characterised by t ...
'' – 60 spp. * Pertusariaceae :This family of lichenized fungi forms crustose thalli in symbiosis with green algae. Their fruiting bodies can be either perithecioid or . They are characterized by large, often thick-walled spores, typically produced in small numbers per ascus. The family is known for its diverse secondary metabolites, including chloroatranorin and various acids. These lichens grow on bark, rocks, and soil. Genus ''Lepra'' was resurrected in 2017 to accommodate the former ''Variolaria''-group of ''Pertusaria''. ::'' Lepra'' – 94 spp. ::'' Loxosporopsis'' – 1 sp. ::''
Pertusaria ''Pertusaria'' is a large genus of warty crustose lichen, crustose lichens in the Pertusariaceae family.Field Guide to California Lichens, Stephen Sharnoff, Yale University Press, 2014, The fruiting bodies are usually modified apothecia that im ...
'' – about 400 spp. ::'' Thamnochrolechia'' – 1 sp. * Varicellariaceae :This family contains a single genus, ''Varicellaria'', many members of which were transferred from ''Pertusaria'' in 2012. Members of this family are crustose lichens that form symbiotic relationships with green algae of the genus ''Trebouxia''. They produce disc-like fruiting bodies (apothecia) and are characterized by a non-amyloid hymenial gel, strongly amyloid asci containing one or two spores, and large, thick-walled, hyaline ascospores with one or two cells. The family was formally established in 2018 after some nomenclatural challenges. Varicellariaceae species have a
cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, a cosmopolitan distribution is the range of a taxon that extends across most or all of the surface of the Earth, in appropriate habitats; most cosmopolitan species are known to be highly adaptable to a range of climatic and en ...
and can be found growing on various substrates worldwide. ::'' Varicellaria'' – 8 spp.


Habitat and distribution

The Pertusariales are found worldwide, with their greatest diversity in
temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (approximately 23.5° to 66.5° N/S of the Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ran ...
and
tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...
regions. Most species in this order typically grow on bark (
corticolous This glossary of mycology is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to mycology, the study of fungi. Terms in common with other fields, if repeated here, generally focus on their mycology-specific meaning. Related terms can be found ...
) or wood ( lignicolous), but their ecological range is broad. Various species also inhabit rock surfaces (
saxicolous This glossary of mycology is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to mycology, the study of fungi. Terms in common with other fields, if repeated here, generally focus on their mycology-specific meaning. Related terms can be found ...
), soil (
terricolous A terricolous lichen is a lichen that grows on the soil as a substrate. Examples include some members of the genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classificati ...
), and even
bryophytes Bryophytes () are a group of land plants ( embryophytes), sometimes treated as a taxonomic division referred to as Bryophyta '' sensu lato'', that contains three groups of non-vascular land plants: the liverworts, hornworts, and mosses. In t ...
. Additionally, within the family Microcaliciaceae, some non-lichenized fungi are
saprotrophic Saprotrophic nutrition or lysotrophic nutrition is a process of chemoheterotrophic extracellular digestion involved in the processing of decayed (dead or waste) organic matter. It occurs in saprotrophs, and is most often associated with fungi ...
, feeding on decaying bark or wood, while others live parasitically on other lichens ( lichenicolous).


Conservation

Three Pertusariales species have been assessed for the
IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the status ...
global
Red List of Threatened Species The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological spe ...
. One species of particular conservation concern is ''
Lepra andersoniae Lepra may refer to: * Lepra, a UK-based international charity * '' Lepra'', a genus of lichens {{disambig ...
'', which is narrowly
endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
to the
Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, are a mountain range in eastern to northeastern North America. The term "Appalachian" refers to several different regions associated with the mountain range, and its surrounding terrain ...
in the United States and is listed as
endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...
on the
IUCN Red List The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological ...
. It has a limited range, with an
extent of occurrence Extent may refer to: Computing * Extent (file systems), a contiguous region of computer storage medium reserved for a file * Extent File System, a discontinued file system implementation named after the contiguous region * Extent, a chunk of st ...
of only 4,027 km² and an area of occupancy of 16 km². The species is known from just three subpopulations across fewer than 10 sites, with an estimated total of 340–570 mature individuals. ''L. andersoniae'' faces threats from recreational activities,
climate change Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in Global surface temperature, global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate variability and change, Climate change in ...
, and potential
habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss or habitat reduction) occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved elsewhere, or are dead, leading to a decrease ...
. It is restricted to sheltered and vertical faces of high-elevation rock outcrops and talus slopes in spruce-fir forests, making it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. Conservation efforts for this species include monitoring of extant subpopulations, detailed habitat surveys, and the need for a species-specific management plan. Two other Pertusariales species have been assessed for the IUCN Red List. '' Pertusaria rhodostoma'', known only from a single historical collection in Colombia, is listed as
Data Deficient A data deficient (DD) species is one which has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as offering insufficient information for a proper assessment of conservation status to be made. This does not necessaril ...
due to a lack of current information on its population, habitat, and potential threats. In contrast, '' Lepra acroscyphoides'', found in the
páramo Páramo () may refer to a variety of alpine tundra ecosystems located in the Andes Mountain Range, South America. Some ecologists describe the páramo broadly as "all high, tropical, montane vegetation above the continuous timberline". A narrower ...
of Colombia, is listed as a
least-concern species A least-concern species is a species that has been evaluated and categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as not being a focus of wildlife conservation because the specific species is still plentiful in the wil ...
. While it faces potential threats from agriculture and
grazing In agriculture, grazing is a method of animal husbandry whereby domestic livestock are allowed outdoors to free range (roam around) and consume wild vegetations in order to feed conversion ratio, convert the otherwise indigestible (by human diges ...
, its high-elevation habitat in páramo ecosystems provides some natural protection.


References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q142754 Lecanoromycetes orders Lichen orders Taxa described in 1986 Taxa named by David Leslie Hawksworth