The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, often referred to as the "Roof of the World," exhibits elevation variations reaching up to 7000 meters. This creates a geographically distinct and ecologically diverse environment that sustains remarkable biodiversity. Recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, this region has been the source of numerous significant taxonomic discoveries. 

In 2022, the Lichen Diversity and Evolution Research Group at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, documented a new lichen genus (Lecaimmeria C.M. Xie, Lu L. Zhang & Li S. Wang) along with 11 new species during their second scientific expedition to the Tibetan Plateau. Most recently, the research team identified another novel lichen genus from the region: Pseudosolorina T. Zheng & Li S. Wang, further enriching our understanding of alpine lichen diversity.

Species within the genus Pseudosolorina are characterized by the discrete, disc-shaped apothecium, exhibiting unique morphological features that facilitate reliable field identification even in natural habitats. Historically, taxa displaying these characteristics were classified under the genus Solorina. However, our research reveals two morphologically distinct clades within Solorina, which are differentiated based on their lower surface pigmentation (orange or white) (Figure 1). A multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of the Peltigerales confirms that taxa with white lower surfaces constitute a novel genus, Pseudosolorina. 

This newly defined genus currently includes eight species, comprising three newly described species (Figure 2) and five new combinations (Figure 3). Species of Pseudosolorina predominantly inhabit the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, specifically within the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Qinghai, where they colonize moss mats or soil substrates in humid river valleys or forest-edge ecosystems at elevations exceeding 3,000 meters. The discovery of two novel genera in this region highlights the exceptional lichen diversity of the plateau and underscores its importance as a biodiversity refuge.

Figure 1. Phylogenetic relationships within Peltigerales were assessed combined sequence data from nrITS, nrLSU, and mtSSU. The red branches represent Peltigeraceae, within which the genera Solorina and Pseudosolorina form two distinct clades. (Image by KIB)

Figure 2. A. P. hepatizon, B. P. parmigera, C. P. tenuior. (Image by KIB)

Figure 3.A. P. saccata, B. P. bispora, C. P. spongiosa. (Image by KIB)

The study, entitled "Taxonomic Revision of Solorina (Peltigeraceae, Ascomycota), Reveals a New Genus and Three New Species" has recently been published in the Journal of Fungi. 

This research was supported by multiple funding sources, including the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP), the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Yunnan Young & Elite Talents Project, and the Guizhou Forestry Research Project.

Contact:

YANG Mei
General Office
Kunming Institute of Botany, CAS

email: yangmei@mail.kib.ac.cn

  Editor:YANG Mei