The lichen genus Lecanora is one of the largest genera of lichenized fungi. The core part of the genus is the L. subfusca group and within this group, Lecanora hybocarpa (Tuck.) Brodo, initially described from North America and thought to be endemic, has been reported from several European countries. However, the identity of these European specimens has been increasingly questioned. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between North American L. hybocarpa and European collections, including the morphologically similar L. sinuosa Herk & Aptroot. We performed morphological, chemical (TLC) and molecular analyses (nrITS and mtSSU) on a broad collection of specimens from Europe, Macaronesia and North America. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that true L. hybocarpa has not yet been confirmed in Europe. Instead, several genetically distinct European taxa share the L. hybocarpa morphotype. Our findings resulted in the description of three new species: Lecanora cryptosinuosa (differing only genetically from L. sinuosa), L. macaronesica (characterized by quite large apothecia with constricted bases and a finely crenulate margin, and the presence of gangaleoidin) and L. subsinuosa (difficult to separate from L. sinuosa, but may sometimes be recognized by darker apothecial discs with inconsistent pigmentation, the occasional presence of a tiny pruina on young discs, and the usually thicker apothecial margin, dentate in the inner edge). Furthermore, we report L. pseudargentata as a new species for Europe. Due to the high morphological variability and cryptic speciation within this group, reliable identification often requires DNA analysis. Therefore, we propose using the name Lecanora hybocarpa agg. for all species sharing this particular morphotype. A key to the epiphytic esorediate species of the L. subfusca group in Europe and northern Africa is provided.

The new genera Aurantiothallia and Hertelaria are proposed for species of saxicolous lichens known only from Tasmania. Aurantiothallia is erected for the species currently known as Poeltiaria tasmanica and the newly described A. riparia, both of which have an orange thallus lacking lichen products but with an amyloid medulla and black apothecia with only brown pigments internally. Hertelaria is based on the new species H. doleritica, which has an atrobrunnea-type thallus and large adnate, red-brown apothecia up to 2.4 mm diam. Phylogenetic analyses based on the markers ITS, mtSSU and RPB1 clearly support the morphological results, each genus forming a strongly supported clade. Also newly described are: Poeltiaria caeruleorubra, with a red-pigmented inner exciple that contrasts strongly with the adjacent bright blue hymenium; Porpidia lutulata, which has small apothecia and a granular thallus with an amyloid (I+ violet) medulla; and Porpidia umbonifera var. sanguinea, which differs from the typical variety in having a reddish pigment in the inner exciple. All the new taxa are known only from silicious rocks, mostly dolerite, in Tasmania. We also report Porpidia albocaerulescens var. polycarpiza and P. hydrophila for the first time from Tasmania, confirm the presence of P. umbonifera var. umbonifera on the island, and provide a provisional key to porpidioid lichens in Tasmania.

A new phylogenetic analysis of Lecanora s. lat. is presented based on a dataset of seven loci, including recently published mitochondrial markers. In this analysis, comprising 136 specimens and 572 sequences, several clades that can be circumscribed taxonomically are recovered as monophyletic with strong support. Lecanora divides into two large monophyletic subclades. The well-supported MPRPS clade sensu Medeiros et al. (2021) combines the genera Lecanoropsis, Myriolecis, Protoparmeliopsis, Rhizoplaca and the Lecanora polytropa- and L. varia-groups. The second unsupported clade contains the genera Bryonora, Palicella, Pulvinora and Vainionora, plus the Lecanora albella/subcarnea-, L. carpinea/rupicola-, L. intumescens-, L. subfusca- and L. symmicta-groups. Japewia, Lecidella, Miriquidica, Ramboldia and members of the Lecanora fuscescens-group are placed outside these two clades. Phylogenetic, morphological and chemical evidence supports the resurrection of three genera: Glaucomaria (for the Lecanora carpinea/rupicola-group), Straminella (for the L. varia-group), and Zeora (for the L. symmicta-group). Descriptions for each of the resurrected genera are provided, including new taxonomic combinations and lists of additional Lecanora species likely to be transferred to the proposed new genera pending further studies. Comments on the nomenclature of the new genera, as well as for Lecanoropsis and Myriolecis, are provided.

Cladonia norvegica was originally described from Norway based on different morphological and chemical characters distinguishing the species from C. coniocraea. Shortly after its description, material containing red spots on the thallus was reported from different parts of the world, but the taxonomic status of this form remained unclear. In this study, we investigated the morphological, chemical and genetic differences between the spotless form of C. norvegica and the red-spotted material. Phylogenetic analyses of mycobiont DNA (ITS rDNA, mtSSU, EF-1α) revealed that red-spotted specimens form a well-supported monophyletic clade, distinct from the spotless form of C. norvegica. We therefore describe red-spotted material as a new species, C. rubrotincta, with the type from Norway and we genetically and morphologically confirm occurrences from Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Great Britain and western Canada. The identity of the red pigment was confirmed to be a rhodocladonic acid by HPLC and LC-HRMS. Specimens with red spots exhibit consistently smaller and more irregularly shaped podetia. Additionally, our analysis of photobionts indicated that both species share a similar pool of Asterochloris symbionts. This study underscores the importance of integrating molecular, chemical, and morphological data in lichen taxonomy and provides insights into the distribution and ecological preferences of C. rubrotincta and C. norvegica.