Integrative approaches, using different data (molecular, morphology, chemistry) to identify species, have been widely used in studies with lichenized fungi. Hypotrachyna, one of the most diverse genus of Parmeliaceae (ca. 260 spp.) probably has its center of diversification in the Neotropics. Phylogenetic data recently synonymized morphologically distinct genera within Hypotrachyna, including Parmelinopsis. The aim of this study was to use the integrative approach (taxonomy and phylogenetic) to better understand the real diversity of Hypotrachyna subgenus Parmelinopsis found in cerrado vegetation (Brazilian savannas) of Southeastern Brazil. Morphological and chemical (TLC) analyses and comparisions with type specimens showed that Brazilian specimens usually recognized as H. horrescens (Taylor) Krog & Swinsc. are, indeed, a new taxon. NuITS and mtSSU DNA sequences were analyzed for the construction of phylogenetic trees, based on the Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference approaches. We compared the sequences obtained to sequences retrieved from the GenBank. The molecular phylogenetic reconstructions showed that the new species is more closely related to the North American recently described H. mcmulliniana Lendemer & J.L.Allen than to H. horrescens. Our study highlight that the diversity of Hypotrachyna in Neotropics is underestimated and that integrative studies can be advantageous for the discovery of new taxa in this highly diverse region. Funding: CAPES, Proc.02749/09-2 PNPD 2205/2009.
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