Vahliellaceae, a new family of cyanobacterial lichens (Peltigerales, Ascomycetes)

The recently described genus Vahliella (Peltigerales, Ascomycetes) has repeatedly appeared outside the Pannariaceae in molecular phylogenies. Here we include data from additional species of the genus and utilize mtSSU rDNA and RPB1 sequences to confirm its placement as the sister to a group consisting of Lobariaceae, Massalongiaceae, Nephromataceae and Peltigeraceae, in the Peltigerales. The new family Vahliellaceae Wedin, P. M. Jorg. & S. Ekman is described for the genus, and its morphological characteristics are briefly discussed.