Phylogenetic placement and reappraisal of Diorygma karnatakense including the new synonym, Diorygma dandeliense, from Maharashtra, India

This study re-examined the status of species of Diorygma Eshw. known from the Western Ghats using an integrative taxonomy approach that includes morphological and chemical data, as well as multigene phylogenetic analyses. Prior to this work, the two species D. karnatakense and D. dandeliense were distinguished primarily on lirellae morphology (branching pattern) and the number of ascospores per ascus. Our study of the morphology, chemistry and molecular phylogeny (mtSSU, LSU and RPB2) of freshly collected samples and re-examination of type material suggests that both names should be synonymized. Consequently, D. karnatakense is accepted as the correct name, with D. dandeliense as a newly proposed synonym. Phylogenetically, D. karnatakense is allied to D. antillarum and D. hieroglyphicum.

Automated summary

This study re-evaluated the classification of Diorygma species in the Western Ghats using an integrative taxonomy approach. Through morphological, chemical, and molecular phylogenetic analyses, it was determined that the species D. karnatakense and D. dandeliense should be considered synonymous, with D. karnatakense being the accepted name. Phylogenetically, D. karnatakense is closely related to D. antillarum and D. hieroglyphicum.