Erinacellus
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| Erinacellus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Peltigerales |
| Genus: | Erinacellus T.Sprib., Muggia & Tønsberg (2014) |
| Type species | |
| Erinacellus dendroides (Henssen) T.Sprib., Tønsberg & Muggia (2014) | |
| Species | |
Erinacellus is a genus of lichen-forming fungi of uncertain familial placement in the order Peltigerales.[1][2] It consists of two species. These lichens are characterised by their dense, cushion-like growths composed of erect, thread-like branches, which resemble miniature hedgehogs. The genus was established in 2014 and is named after the hedgehog genus Erinaceus, reflecting its appearance. Erinacellus forms a symbiotic relationship with Hyphomorpha, a type of cyanobacteria. While the genus is placed within the order Peltigerales, its exact position within this group remains uncertain. The two species, E. dendroides and E. schmidtii, are found in different parts of the world, with E. dendroides occurring in New Zealand and North America, and E. schmidtii in Thailand and Sri Lanka. These lichens typically grow in moist environments, such as coastal areas and tropical regions, and can be found on both rocks and tree bark.
The genus Erinacellus was established in 2014 by the lichenologists Toby Spribille, Lucia Muggia, and Tor Tønsberg. They designated Erinacellus dendroides as the type species, which was previously classified under the genus Spilonema. The genus name Erinacellus is derived from Erinaceus, the scientific name for Eurasian hedgehogs, with the diminutive suffix -ellus. This nomenclature alludes to the dark, cushion-forming thalli characteristic of the genus, which resemble miniature hedgehogs.[3]
Phylogenetically, Erinacellus is placed within the order Peltigerales. However, its exact position within this order remains uncertain. Some analyses have placed it within the suborder Peltigerineae, while others suggest a sister relationship to the family Koerberiaceae, albeit with low statistical support. Due to this ambiguity, Erinacellus is currently considered Peltigerales incertae sedis, indicating its precise taxonomic placement is yet to be definitively determined.[3] The use of its sequence in a later molecular analysis of other Peltigerales taxa also did not resolve its incertae sedis placement.[4]
Despite its former classification, molecular evidence demonstrates that Erinacellus is not closely related to the genus Spilonema. The two genera can be distinguished by several morphological and symbiotic characteristics. Erinacellus exhibits a distinct branching pattern and branch colouration compared to Spilonema. Moreover, Erinacellus forms a symbiotic association with the cyanobacterial genus Hyphomorpha, whereas Spilonema associates with Stigonema. These differences in both fungal morphology and photobiont partner underscore the separation of Erinacellus as a distinct genus within the Peltigerales.[3] Hyphomorpha is a phenotypically defined algal genus classified in either the Fischerellaceae or the Hapalosiphonaceae.[5]