Pleurosticta
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| Pleurosticta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pleurosticta acetabulum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Lecanorales |
| Family: | Parmeliaceae |
| Genus: | Pleurosticta Petr. (1931) |
| Type species | |
| Pleurosticta lichenicola Petr. (1931) | |
| Species | |
Pleurosticta is a small genus of foliose lichens belonging to the family Parmeliaceae. It has two species.[1]
The genus was circumscribed by mycologist Franz Petrak in 1931, with Pleurosticta lichenicola assigned as the type species.[2] This is now known as a synonym of P. acetabulum.[3] The genus name fell into disuse when its species were transferred to Melanelia.[4]
In 1980, Theodore Esslinger proposed conserving the name Melanelia for these species. However, H. Thorsten Lumbsch, Hans Kothe, and Jack Elix argued against this in 1988, choosing instead to resurrect Pleurosticta. Their decision was based on detailed morphological, chemical, and geographical studies which demonstrated that P. acetabulum and P. koflerae formed a distinct group warranting recognition at the generic level. The resurrection was supported by several distinctive characteristics that set these species apart from other members of the "brown Parmeliae", including the presence of a pored epicortex, bacilliform to fusiform conidia, a distinctive chemistry characterized by the presence of β-orcinol depsidones, and unique geographical distribution patterns.[4]