Phylogenetic studies have confirmed Bryonora's placement within the Lecanoraceae. The genus Bryodina, previously considered separate, is now treated as a synonym of Bryonora based on molecular evidence.[3]
As of 2022, the genus comprises 15 accepted species.[3] Recent taxonomic changes include the description of a new species, Bryonora microlepis, and the transfer of Lecanora castaneoides to Bryonora as B. castaneoides.[3]
Description
Bryonora species exhibit various thallus types, including crustose (forming a crust-like layer), squamulose (composed of small, scale-like structures), and subfruticose (somewhat shrub-like).[3] The reproductive structures, called apothecia, can vary in appearance among species, with some having a distinct rim (margin) around the spore-producing surface (disc).[3]
Key features distinguishing Bryonora from other genera in the Lecanoraceae include its ecology, thallus structure, and details of its reproductive structures.[3]
Habitat and distribution
Bryonora species are primarily found in arctic and alpine regions. They have been reported from various locations including Norway, Sweden, Svalbard, and high-elevation areas in Asia. These lichens often grow on soil, dead mosses, plant debris, or rocks, and some species show preferences for particular substrates or environmental conditions.[3]
^Fryday, Alan M.; Øvstedal, Dag O. (2012). "New species, combinations and records of lichenized fungi from the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)". The Lichenologist. 44 (4): 483–500. doi:10.1017/s0024282912000163.
^Øvstedal, D.O.; Lewis Smith, R.I. (2001). Lichens of Antarctica and South Georgia. A Guide to their Identification and Ecology. Studies in Polar Research. Cambridge University Press. p. 109. ISBN978-0-521-66241-3.
