Pseudocyphellae ontogeny and thallus anatomy in species of Punctelia Krog (Parmeliaceae, lichenized Ascomycota)

ABSTRACT The genus Punctelia has been traditionally characterized by the type and distribution of pseudocyphellae, medullary chemical substances and the shape of conidia, whereas its species have been distinguished using mainly the shape, location, abundance and size of pseudocyphellae. Given that Punctelia is not monophyletic, additional studies are needed to determine its current delimitation. The present study used conventional techniques for structural studies using optical and scanning electron microscopy in order to describe and compare the structure and ontogeny of the pseudocyphellae o...