New records of lichenized and non-lichenized fungi from Lifos Mountain (Hacılar, Kayseri, Türkiye): An integrative taxonomic approach using morphological and ITS sequence data

Purpose: Lifos Mountain is one of the significant but relatively understudied regions with volcanic geology, elevational range and diverse microhabitats in the northwestern slopes of Mount Erciyes, Central Anatolia (Türkiye) in terms of fungal and lichen diversity. The aim of this study was to explore the diversity of fungi found on Lifos Mountain by an integrative taxonomic approach that integrates morphological, anatomical, ecological, chemical and molecular data. Another objective of the study was to record new taxa not previously found and to add to the knowledge of Turkish fungal and lichen biodiversity.Method: Fungi and lichens collected from various habitats on Lifos Mountain were studied by detailed macro and micro-morphological characteristics. Stereomicroscopic and light microscopic observations were conducted for anatomical purposes and in case of need, standard lichen spot tests were performed. Dried specimens were used for genomic DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Sequences were obtained and compared with the reference sequences found in the GenBank using BLAST, aligned using ClustalW and further analysed using Maximum Likelihood Phylogenetic analyses in MEGA 7. All of the morphological, ecological, chemical and molecular data were checked together for reliable species identification.Findings: The fungi identified were Camarosporidiella astragalicola Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, Exidia inflata Cazenave & G. Gruhn and Rhizoplaca porteri S.D. Leav., Fern.-Mend., Lumbsch, Sohrabi & St. Clair. Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses showed that all specimens examined clustered within their respective species-level clades and morphological species assignments were correct. Turkish specimens grouped with their respective taxa and were significantly different from morphologically related species. Camarosporidiella astragalicola was found growing on the endemic plant Astragalus argaeus, and Exidia inflata was found on the bark of deciduous trees. Exposure high elevation, with volcanic siliceous rocks was the habitat in which Rhizoplaca porteri were found, consistent with their known ecological preferences. The results are the first records of all four taxa for Türkiye, supported by both morphological and molecular data.Conclusion: The current study is the first attempt to assess the fungal and lichen diversity of Lifos Mountain in an integrated manner, both with traditional taxonomic approach and DNA barcoding methods. The obtained results show the utility of using both morphological and molecular data for proper species delimitation and identification. In addition, three new national records were established, indicating the significance of Lifos Mountain as an important hotspot of new fungal and lichen diversity in Central Anatolia. The results significantly increase the distribution range of the recorded taxa and add to the global mycobiota valuable taxonomic, phylogenetic, ecological and biogeographical information.