Taxonomic and phylogenetic study of the genus Diploschistes (Ostropales, Thelotremataceae) reveals one new species from Pakistan

Diploschistes pakistanicus sp. nov. is described from the Himalayan moist temperate forest, Pakistan. ITS sequences confirm its position within the genus Diploschistes and, together with its morphology and chemistry, suggest that it is separate from other species of this genus. The taxon is characterized by grey to greyish white pruinose thallus, perithecioid-type ascomata, small apothecia 0.1-0.4 mm wide, hypothecium 20-25 mu m thick, ascus of 85-110 x 9-17 mu m in size, 3-5 transverse and 2-4 longitudinal septa in large ascospores 42-55 x 18-30; also differing from related species in ITS region.