Cladonia (Ascomycota, Lecanorales): inventário liquênico de materiais-tipo do Herbário Lauro Pires Xavier (JPB)

Abstract

Lichens are mutualistic associations between mycobionts, photobionts, and an associated microbiota that together form a self-sustaining system. They can act as bioindicators and pioneer organisms in ecological succession, contributing to the establishment of other forms of life. Lichenized fungi comprise approximately 19,387 species and 995 genera distributed across the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota worldwide, among which the genus Cladonia P. Browne stands out, with about 500 species. In Brazil, 116 species of this genus have been recorded, but updated taxonomic revisions are still lacking, and herbaria play a fundamental role in this matter by serving as repositories of reference materials, particularly type specimens. This study provides an updated inventory of Cladonia type specimens at the Lauro Pires Xavier Herbarium (JPB), aiming to contribute to the enhancement of the collection and to the knowledge and conservation of Brazilian lichen flora. Five type species were recorded, in addition to a non-typified specimen, including the proposed lectotypification of Cladonia clathrata Ahti & L. Xavier, and the reassessment of a specimen identified as Cladonia furfuracea Vain. Morphological analyses and comparisons with the original descriptions allowed nomenclatural updates and highlighted the taxonomic complexity of the genus. The results highlight the importance of herbarium curation as a scientific reference, reinforcing its role in biodiversity preservation and in supporting taxonomic and related studies in the future.