Rusavskia

''Rusavskia'' is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Teloschistaceae. It has 12 species. It is a member of the subfamily Xanthorioideae. The thallus of ''Rusavskia'' is characterized by its foliose (leaf-like) structure with distinct and typically narrow that curve outwards.

Taxonomy

The genus ''Rusavskia'' was proposed by lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk and Ingvar Kärnefelt in 2003, with ''Rusavskia elegans'' assigned as the type species. The initial circumscription of the genus relied predominantly on an evaluation of morphological, anatomical and chemical characteristics, with a notable absence of molecular phylogenetic analysis. For this reason, the reception of the ''Rusavskia'' by lichenologists was initially met with cautious appraisal. As several molecular studies in the subsequent years showed, the ''Rusavskia elegans''-group occupies a separate monophyletic branch in the Teloschistaceae; the growing body of molecular evidence led to the acceptance of the genus ''Rusavskia''.

Description

''Rusavskia'' is characterized by its foliose (leaf-like) structure with distinct and typically narrow that curve outwards. These lobes often feature pseudocyphellae – tiny, white porous areas on the lichen's surface. The lichen adheres to surfaces using short, root-like structures called . Its reproductive structures, known as apothecia, are in form and display a noticeable orange hue. The produced are ellipsoid in shape, and polardiblastic, with a moderately divided central region (septa). Additionally, ''Rusavskia'' may possess , which are embedded reproductive structures, and produce ellipsoid-shaped (asexual spores).

''Rusavskia'' was distinguished from ''Xanthoria'' due to several unique characteristics. Unlike ''Xanthoria'', ''Rusavskia'' has a mesodermate cortex, which contrasts the earlier belief of it being . While it was believed to lack attachment organs, it was later found that species like ''R. elegans'' and ''R. sorediata'' have hapters, albeit short ones. The (asexual spores) of ''Rusavskia'' are primarily ellipsoid, with only a minority being , contrary to earlier descriptions.

In terms of morphology, ''Rusavskia'' predominantly differs from ''Xanthoria'' by its narrower lobes. When compared to '' Dufourea'', ''Rusavskia'' stands out due to its narrow lobes that adhere more closely to surfaces. Although some experts hesitated to accept the distinct classification of ''Rusavskia'', genetic evidence firmly sets it apart from ''Xanthoria'' and other related groups.

Species

, Species Fungorum (in the Catalogue of Life) accepts 12 species of ''Rusavskia''.

* ''Rusavskia aspera''
* ''Rusavskia crassa''
* ''Rusavskia dasanensis''
* ''Rusavskia drevlyanica''
* ''Rusavskia ectaniza''
* ''Rusavskia elegans''
* ''Rusavskia granulifera''
* ''Rusavskia hafellneri''
* ''Rusavskia indica''
* ''Rusavskia indochinensis''
* ''Rusavskia sorediata''
* ''Rusavskia subfruticulosa''
* '' Rusavskia upretii''

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q21215467

Teloschistales
Teloschistales genera
Lichen genera
Taxa described in 2003
Taxa named by Ingvar Kärnefelt
Taxa named by Sergey Kondratyuk