{{Short description|Family of lichen-forming fungi}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Use Oxford spelling|date=October 2025}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Physcia aipolia 1729228.jpg | image_caption = ''[[Physcia aipolia]]'' | taxon = Physciaceae | authority = [[Zahlbr.]] (1898) | type_genus = ''[[Physcia]]'' | type_genus_authority = ([[Schreb.]]) [[Michx.]] (1803) | subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]] | subdivision = }}
The '''Physciaceae''' are a [[family (taxonomy)|family]] of mostly [[lichen]]-forming [[fungus|fungi]] belonging to the [[class (taxonomy)|class]] [[Lecanoromycetes]] in the [[division (mycology)|division]] [[Ascomycota]]. A 2016 estimate placed 19 [[genera]] and 601 species in the family.<ref name="Lücking et al. 2017"/>
==Taxonomy==
''Physciaceae'' was formalised by [[Alexander Zahlbruckner]] in [[Adolf Engler]]'s ''Syllabus'' (1898), with ''[[Physcia]]'' as the [[type genus]]. In a set of [[conserved name|conservation]] proposals intended to stabilise long-used family names, [[David Leslie Hawksworth|Hawksworth]] and Eriksson (1988) recommended conserving ''Physciaceae'' against the earlier name ''Pyxinaceae'' ([[basionym]]: "trib." ''Pyxineae'' E.M.Fries, 1825), arguing that ''Pyxinaceae'' had not been taken up in standard works and that ''Physciaceae'' was firmly established in the literature. They characterised ''Physciaceae'' as one of the major families of the [[Lecanorales]], then comprising about 20 genera and roughly 850 species, many of them familiar macrolichens.<ref name="Hawksworth & Eriksson 1988"/>
Hawksworth and Eriksson also noted historical alternatives that do not displace ''Physciaceae'': Körber's "Anaptychiaceae" (attributed to [[Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo|Massalongo]]) proved to be a tribal-rank usage without a {{lichengloss|diagnosis}}, so it was not [[validly published name|validly published]]; had it been valid and pre-1898, it would likewise have required conservation of ''Physciaceae'' over that name.<ref name="Hawksworth & Eriksson 1988"/>
==Description==
The Physiaceae includes various [[lichen growth forms|growth forms]] such as [[foliose lichen|foliose]], [[fruticose lichen|fruticose]], {{lichengloss|squamulose}}, stipitate, [[crustose lichen|crustose]], and even evanescent types (where certain parts, such as basal squamules, become less noticeable or disappear over time as other structures develop). Some members of this family may also be [[lichenicolous fungus|lichenicolous]], meaning they grow on other lichens. These lichens can exhibit features such as {{lichengloss|lobules}}, [[isidia]], and [[soredia]], or may lack them entirely.<ref name="Elix 2009"/>
The upper {{lichengloss|cortex}} of Physiaceae lichens can be {{lichengloss|prosoplectenchymatous}}, {{lichengloss|paraplectenchymatous}}, or absent. Their [[photobiont]], or the symbiotic algae living within the lichen, is typically a unicellular [[green alga]] from the genus ''[[Trebouxia]]'', with a diameter ranging from 5 to 20 [[micrometre|μm]]. The [[medulla (lichenology)|medulla]] can vary from poorly to well-developed or may even be absent, and it often contains [[lichen substance]]s. The lower cortex can be prosoplectenchymatous, paraplectenchymatous, or absent, with the lower surface either possessing or lacking [[rhizine]]s. A [[prothallus#In lichens|prothallus]] may be present or absent.<ref name="Elix 2009"/>
Physiaceae lichens produce [[ascomata]], which can be either apothecia or {{lichengloss|mazaedia}}. Their apothecia can be immersed, sessile, or short-stalked, with a more or less distinct exciple. The {{lichengloss|disc}}, when present, is generally round and ranges from flat to convex, displaying colours from brown to dark reddish-brown or black. A {{lichengloss|thalline exciple}} may or may not be present, while the {{lichengloss|proper exciple}} can be thin and weakly [[biological pigment|pigmented]] or well-developed and darkly pigmented.<ref name="Elix 2009"/>
The {{lichengloss|epihymenium}} can be brown-black, brown, or green, while the [[hymenium]] is colourless or partly green, with or without oil droplets. The {{lichengloss|hypothecium}} can vary in colour from colourless to yellow-brown, brown, or dark brown. {{lichengloss|paraphyses}} are simple or sparingly branched in the uppermost part, with thickened apices often capped by a brown-pigmented layer. The asci are {{lichengloss|clavate}}, typically with 8 spores (but sometimes as few as 2 or as many as 16) and a well-developed amyloid {{lichengloss|tholus}}, a paler conical axial mass, and an ocular chamber.<ref name="Elix 2009"/>
[[Ascospore]]s in the Physiaceae have a single [[septum]], olive to brown in colour, and [[ellipsoid]]al in shape, often displaying uneven wall thickenings. The conidiomata are {{lichengloss|pycnidial}}, either immersed or superficial. {{lichengloss|Conidia}} can be formed acrogenously or pleurogenously, and they can be ellipsoidal, {{lichengloss|bacilliform}}, {{lichengloss|fusiform}}, or {{lichengloss|filiform}}.<ref name="Elix 2009"/>
==Genera== This is a list of the genera contained within the Physciaceae, based on a 2020 review and summary of ascomycete classification;<ref name="Wijayawardene et al. 2020"/> as well as several genera that have been circumscribed or resurrected since then. Following the genus name is the [[taxonomic authority]], year of publication, and the number of species: [[File:Liquen - lichen - Anaptychia ciliaris (8650792202).jpg|thumb|right|''[[Anaptychia ciliaris]]'']] [[File:Rinodina roscida - Flickr - pellaea.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Rinodina roscida]]'']] * ''[[Anaptychia]]'' {{au|Körb. (1848)}}<ref name="Körber 1848"/> – about 15 spp. * ''[[Awasthia]]'' {{au|Essl. (1978)}}<ref name="Esslinger 1978"/> – 1 sp. * ''[[Coscinocladium]]'' {{au|Kunze (1846)}}<ref name="Crespo et al. 2004"/> – 2 spp. * ''[[Helmutiopsis]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr., Lőkös & Hur (2021)}}<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2021"/> – 3 spp. * ''[[Heterodermia]]'' {{au|Trevis. (1868)}} – about 90 spp. * ''[[Huriopsis]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr. & Lőkös (2021)}}<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2021"/> – 7 spp. * ''[[Hyperphyscia]]'' {{au|Müll.Arg. (1894)}} – 9 spp. * ''[[Johnsheardia]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr., Kärnefelt & A.Thell (2021)}}<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2021"/> – 5 spp. * ''[[Kashiwadia]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr., Lőkös & Hur (2014)}}<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2014"/> – 1 sp. * ''[[Klauskalbia]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr., Lőkös, E.Farkas & Hur (2021)}}<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2021"/> – 4 spp. * ''[[Kudratovia]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr., Lőkös & Hur (2021)}}<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2021"/> – 8 spp. * ''[[Kurokawia]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr., Lőkös & Hur (2021)}}<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2021"/> – 7 spp. * ''[[Leucodermia]]'' {{au|Kalb (2015)}}<ref name="Mongkolsuk et al. 2015"/> – 10 spp. * ''[[Mischoblastia]]'' {{au|A.Massal. (1852)}} – 3 spp. * ''[[Mobergia]]'' {{au|H.Mayrhofer & Sheard (1992)}}<ref name="Mayrhofer 1992"/> – 1 sp. * ''[[Oxnerella (lichen)|Oxnerella]]'' {{au|S.Y.Kondr., Lőkös & Hur (2014)}} – 1 spp. * ''[[Phaeophyscia]]'' {{au|Mob. (1977)}}<ref name="Moberg 1977"/> – 66 spp. * ''[[Phaeorrhiza]]'' {{au|H.Mayrhofer & Poelt (1979)}} – 2 spp. * ''[[Physcia]]'' {{au|(Schreb.) Michaux (1803)}}<ref name="Schreber 1791"/> – about 80 spp. * ''[[Physciella]]'' {{au|Essl. (1986)}}<ref name="Esslinger 1986"/> – 4 spp. * ''[[Physconia]]'' {{au|Poelt (1965)}}<ref name="Poelt 1965"/> – about 25 spp. * ''[[Polyblastidium]]'' {{au|Kalb (2015)}}<ref name="Mongkolsuk et al. 2015"/> – 18 spp. * ''[[Rinodina]]'' {{au|(Ach.) Gray (1821)}} – about 300 spp * ''[[Rinodinella]]'' {{au|H.Mayrhofer & Poelt (1978)}}<ref name="Mayrhofer & Poelt 1978"/> – 6 spp. * ''[[Tornabea]]'' {{au|Østh. (1980)}}<ref name="Østhagen & Sunding 1980"/> – 1 spp.
The genus ''[[Culbersonia]]'', previously classified in the Physciaceae due to its morphological features, has been shown with [[molecular phylogenetics]] to belong to the [[Caliciaceae]].<ref name="Aptroot et al. 2019"/>
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
<ref name="Aptroot et al. 2019">{{cite journal |author-link1=André Aptroot |last1=Aptroot |first1=André |last2=Maphangwa |first2=Khumbudzo Walter |last3=Zedda |first3=Luciana |last4=Tekere |first4=Memory |last5=Alvarado |first5=Pablo |last6=Sipman |first6=Harrie J.M. |title=The phylogenetic position of ''Culbersonia'' is in the Caliciaceae (lichenized ascomycetes) |journal=The Lichenologist |volume=51 |issue=2 |year=2019 |pages=187–191 |doi=10.1017/S0024282919000033 |bibcode=2019ThLic..51..187A }}</ref>
<ref name="Crespo et al. 2004">{{cite journal |last1=Crespo |first1=Ana |last2=Blanco |first2=Oscar |last3=Llimona |first3=Xavier |last4=Ferencová |first4=Zuzana L. |last5=Hawksworth |first5=David L. |title=''Coscinocladium'', an overlooked endemic and monotypic Mediterranean lichen genus of Physciaceae, reinstated by molecular phylogenetic analysis |journal=Taxon |volume=53 |issue=2 |year=2004 |pages=405–414 |doi=10.2307/4135618 |jstor=4135618 |bibcode=2004Taxon..53..405C }}</ref>
<ref name="Elix 2009">{{cite book |last=Elix |first=John |chapter=Physciaceae |title=Flora of Australia |volume=57. Lichens 5 |publisher=CSIRO Publishing |year=2009 |page=494 |isbn=978-0-643-09665-3}}</ref>
<ref name="Esslinger 1978">{{cite journal |last=Esslinger |first=Theodore L. |year=1978 |title=Studies in the lichen family Physciaceae IV. ''Awasthia'', a new genus from the Himalayas |journal=The Bryologist |volume=81 |issue=3 |pages=445–457 |doi=10.2307/3242252 |jstor=3242252}}</ref>
<ref name="Esslinger 1986">{{cite journal |last=Esslinger |first=T.L. |title=Studies in the lichen family Physciaceae. VII. The new genus ''Physciella'' |journal=Mycologia |year=1986 |volume=78 |issue=1 |pages=92–97 |url=http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/cyberliber/59350/0078/001/0092.htm |doi=10.2307/3793382 |jstor=3793382}}</ref>
<ref name="Hawksworth & Eriksson 1988">{{cite journal |last1=Hawksworth |first1=D.L. |last2=Eriksson |first2=O. |year=1988 |title=Proposals to conserve or reject |journal=Taxon |volume=37 |issue=1 |doi=10.2307/1220957 |pages=190–193 |jstor=1220957 |bibcode=1988Taxon..37..190. }}</ref>
<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2014">{{cite journal |last1=Kondratyuk |first1=S. |last2=Lőkös |first2=L. |last3=Kim |first3=J. |last4=Jeong |first4=M.-H. |last5=Kondratiuk |first5=A. |last6=Oh |first6=S.-O. |last7=Hur |first7=J.-S. |title=''Kashiwadia'' gen. nov. (Physciaceae, lichen-forming Ascomycota), proved by phylogenetic analysis of the Eastern Asian Physciaceae |journal=Acta Botanica Hungarica |volume=56 |issue=3–4 |year=2014 |doi=10.1556/abot.56.2014.3-4.12 |pages=369–378 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277924093}}</ref>
<ref name="Kondratyuk et al. 2021">{{cite journal |last1=Kondratyuk |first1=S.Y. |last2=Lőkös |first2=L. |last3=Kärnefelt |first3=I. |last4=Thell |first4=A. |last5=Jeong |first5=M.-H. |last6=Oh |first6=S.-O. |last7=Kondratiuk |first7=A.S. |last8=Farkas |first8=E. |last9=Hur |first9=J.-S. |title=Contributions to molecular phylogeny of lichen-forming fungi 2. Review of current monophyletic branches of the family Physciaceae |journal=Acta Botanica Hungarica |volume=63 |issue=3–4 |year=2021 |doi=10.1556/034.63.2021.3-4.8 |pages=351–390 |url=http://real.mtak.hu/143270/1/article-p351.pdf}}</ref>
<ref name="Körber 1848">{{cite book |last=Körber |first=Gustav Wihlem |year=1848 |title=Grundriss der Kryptogamen-Kunde |trans-title=Foundations of Cryptogamic Knowledge |location=Breslau |publisher=Ed. Trewendt |page=87 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54484034 |language=de}}</ref>
<ref name="Lücking et al. 2017">{{cite journal |last1=Lücking |first1=Robert |last2=Hodkinson |first2=Brendan P. |last3=Leavitt |first3=Steven D. |year=2017 |title=The 2016 classification of lichenized fungi in the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota–Approaching one thousand genera |journal=The Bryologist |volume=119 |issue=4 |pages=361–416 |doi=10.1639/0007-2745-119.4.361}}</ref>
<ref name="Mayrhofer & Poelt 1978">{{cite journal |last1=Mayrhofer |first1=H. |last2=Poelt |first2=J. |year=1978 |title=''Rinodinella'' – eine neue Gattung der Flechtenfamilie Physciaceae |journal=Hoppea Denkschrift der Regensburgischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft |volume=37 |pages=89–105 |language=de}}</ref>
<ref name="Mayrhofer 1992">{{cite journal |last1=Mayrhofer |first1=H. |last2=Sheard |first2=J.W. |last3=Matzer |first3=M. |title=''Mobergia'' (Physciaceae, lichenized ascomycetes), a new genus endemic to western North America |journal=The Bryologist |volume=95 |issue=4 |year=1992 |pages=436–442 |doi=10.2307/3243568 |jstor=3243568}}</ref>
<ref name="Moberg 1977">{{cite journal |last1=Moberg |first1=R. |title=The lichen genus ''Physcia'' and allied genera in Fennoscandia |journal=Symbolae Botanicae Upsalienses |year=1977 |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=1–108 [29]}}</ref>
<ref name="Mongkolsuk et al. 2015">{{cite journal |last1=Mongkolsuk |first1=Pachara |last2=Meesim |first2=Sanya |last3=Poengsungnoen |first3=Vasun |last4=Buaruang |first4=Kawinnat |last5=Schumm |first5=Felix |last6=Kalb |first6=Klaus |title=The lichen family Physciaceae in Thailand—II. Contributions to the genus ''Heterodermia'' sensu lato |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=235 |issue=1 |year=2015 |pages=1–66 |doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.235.1.1 |bibcode=2015Phytx.235....1M |url=http://publication.plazi.org/id/FFD60E49FFFF6A62FFCF4960FF8EFF81 }}</ref>
<ref name="Østhagen & Sunding 1980">{{cite journal |last1=Østhagen |first1=Haavard |last2=Sunding |first2=Per |year=1980 |title=''Tornabea'', nom. nov. for ''Tornabenia Trevisan'' (Lichenes), non ''Tornabenea Parlatore'' (Umbelliferae) |journal=Taxon |volume=29 |issue=5/6 |pages=687–689 |doi=10.2307/1220343 |jstor=1220343 |bibcode=1980Taxon..29..687O }}</ref>
<ref name="Poelt 1965">{{cite journal |last=Poelt |first=J. |year=1965 |title=Zur Systematik der Flechtenfamilie Physciaceae |journal=Nova Hedwigia |volume=9 |pages=21–32 |language=de}}</ref>
<ref name="Schreber 1791">{{cite book |last=von Schreber |first=J.C.D. |title=Genera Plantarum |edition=8th |year=1791 |language=la}}</ref>
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}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2072700}}
[[Category:Caliciales]] [[Category:Lichen families]] [[Category:Lecanoromycetes families]] [[Category:Taxa named by Alexander Zahlbruckner]] [[Category:Taxa described in 1898]]