The number of Fungi is estimated at between 1.5 and 3 million. Lichenized species are thought to make up a comparatively small portion of this figure, with unrecognized species richness hidden among little-studied, tropical microlichens. Recent findings, however, suggest that some macrolichens contain a large number of unrecognized taxa, increasing known species richness by an order of magnitude or more. Here we report the existence of at least 126 species in what until recently was believed to be a single taxon: the basidiolichen fungus Dictyonema glabratum, also known as Cora pavonia. Notably, these species are not cryptic but morphologically distinct. A predictive model suggests an even larger number, with more than 400 species. These results call into question species concepts in presumably well-known macrolichens and demonstrate the need for accurately documenting such species richness, given the importance of these lichens in endangered ecosystems such as paramos and the alarming potential for species losses throughout the tropics.diversification | global diversity prediction | Hygrophoraceae

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A new species of passion flower from the Cordillera Central of the Colombian Andes is here described; Passiflora kumandayi M.A. Buitrago A. & Coca (subgenus Decaloba, supersection Auriculata). This species, along with five other closely related Andean species, comprise a monophyletic group characterized by paired branched inflorescences and small flowers with short or absent androgynophores. A provisional key to the species in the newly described section Apodae is presented. Passiflora kumandayi is here illustrated and its affinities with related species are discussed based on morphology and phylogenetic binning analysis using molecular site weight calibration.

As part of a phylogenetic and taxonomic revision of the lichenized genus Sticta in Colombia, six new species with apotheciate thalli but lacking vegetative propagules are described: Sticta atroandensis Moncada & Lücking sp. nov., S. brevior Moncada & Lücking sp. nov., S. lumbschiana Moncada & Lücking sp. nov., S. macrocyphellata Moncada & Coca sp. nov., S. parahumboldtii Moncada & Lücking sp. nov., and S. pseudohumboldtii Moncada & Lücking sp. nov. The last two are related to S. humboldtii but phylogenetically distinct and differ in details of cyphellae morphology and spot reactions. Sticta atroandensis is similar to S. andensis but has a dark lower tomentum, whereas S. brevior belongs in the S. kunthii group, being characterized by mainly laminal apothecia with tomentose margins and a rather stout thallus. Both S. lumbschiana and S. macrocyphellata form part of the S. dilatata group and can be characterized by their lobe surface structure and cyphellae anatomy. Keys to species of the S. dilatata and S. humboldtii groups are presented.

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We present a taxonomic revision of the lichenized basidiomycete genus Acantholichen, species of which produce a characteristic blue-gray, microsquamulose thallus with spiny apical hyphal cells known as acanthohyphidia. Since its discovery, the genus was thought to be monospecific, only including the generic type, A. pannarioides. However, a detailed morphological and anatomical study of recently collected specimens from the Galápagos, Costa Rica, Brazil and Colombia, combined with a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) region and 28S of the nuc rDNA and RPB2 sequences, revealed a much more diverse and widespread species assemblage. Based on the results of these analyses, we describe five new species in the genus: A. albomarginatus, A. campestris, A. galapagoensis, A. sorediatus and A. variabilis. We also provide an identification key to all species, anatomical and morphological descriptions, photographs and a table comparing main characters of each species.