Porocyphus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Porocyphus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Porocyphus coccodes | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lichinomycetes |
| Order: | Lichinales |
| Family: | Porocyphaceae |
| Genus: | Porocyphus Körb. (1855) |
| Type species | |
| Porocyphus coccodes (Flot.) Körb. (1855) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Porocyphus is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Porocyphaceae. The genus was established in 1855 by the German lichenologist Gustav Wilhelm Körber to distinguish certain lichens from the related genus Collema, based on differences in their reproductive structures. Porocyphus species are found worldwide and are characterised by their pore-like fruiting bodies and simple spores. They form dark, gelatinous crusts on rocks, soil, and bark.
The genus Porocyphus was circumscribed by the German lichenologist Gustav Wilhelm Körber in 1855 to accommodate certain gymnocarpous lichens (lichens with exposed fruiting bodies) that had previously been classified under Collema. Körber distinguished Porocyphus from Collema based on the distinctive nature of the apothecia, particularly the differences in thallus structure and the characteristics of the hymenial layer and paraphyses. The genus name is derived from the Greek words πόρος ('pore', 'passage') and κύφος ('hump', 'swelling'), referring to the small tubercular fruiting bodies. Körber noted that while the external form of the apothecia and the stratified thallus structure might suggest placement within Collema, the distinctive pore-like apothecial discs (often arising as pycnoascocarps) associated hymenial/paraphysis characters warranted generic separation, emphasizing the gymnocarpous nature of these lichens.[5] Although later authors generally treated Porocyphus in Lichinaceae, a comprehensive 2024 multilocus study re-circumscribed Porocyphaceae and placed Porocyphus in that family. [6]
A 2024 multilocus re-classification of the Lichinomycetes transferred the Lichina "willeyi" group into Porocyphus, publishing new combinations for (among others) P. antarcticus, P. macrosporus, P. minutissimus, P. rosulans, P. tasmanicus and P. willeyi.[6]
