ABSTRACT Pannaria hookeri (Borrer ex Sm.) Nyl. is reported as a bipolar cyanolichen that occurs in more than twenty countries in both Hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, a minor variation is attributed to the species, whereas larger morphological and chemical variations have been reported in specimens from the Southern Hemisphere. Six P. hookeri DNA sequences are available in GenBank, and only one (from Australia) is associated with a published morphological description. In this study, we performed a preliminary phylogenetic analysis including seven nuITS and mtSSU sequences from eight specimens collected in south Argentina. In addition, we provide an update of the taxon circumscription based on 50 specimens from 13 countries. Here, the molecular analyses revealed a well-supported monophyletic group formed by the P. hookeri sequences from Argentina, Australia, Norway and USA (Alaska). Regarding the morphological and anatomical characteristics, the Southern Hemisphere specimens did not present the historical reported variations, resulting in the proposition of a concise species description that accomplishes most of P. hookeri known geographical distribution.

Abstract Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) has been shown to be a neurological manifestation of COVID-19. The current study presents two cases of PFP after COVID-19, along with a rapid review of known cases in the literature. Both case reports were conducted following CARE guidelines. We also performed a systematic review of PFP cases temporally related to COVID-19 using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases on August 30, 2021, using a rapid review methodology. The two patients experienced PFP 102 and 110 days after COVID-19 symptom onset. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in nasal samples through reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) testing. Anosmia was the only other neurological manifestation. PFP was treated with steroids in both cases, with complete subsequent recovery. In the rapid review, we identified 764 articles and included 43 studies. From those, 128 patients with PFP were analyzed, of whom 42.1% (54/128) were male, 39.06% (50/128) female, and in 23 cases the gender was not reported. The age range was 18 to 59 (54.68%). The median time between COVID-19 and PFP was three days (ranging from the first symptom of COVID-19 to 40 days after the acute phase of infection). Late PFP associated with COVID-19 presents mild symptoms and improves with time, with no identified predictors. Late PFP should be added to the spectrum of neurological manifestations associated with the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection as a post COVID-19 condition.

Resumo Espécies de Peltula ocorrem em ambientes áridos e semiáridos e espécies novas têm sido constantemente descritas em todo o mundo. Neste mesmo sentido, a diversidade de liquens está sendo estudada na diversa, porém pouco conhecida, região centro-oeste do Brasil, e espécies e registros novos têm sido descobertos. Como parte do resultado, Peltula anthracina é proposta como nova para a ciência, e P. leptophylla e P. lingulata como novos registros para o estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Como a região é altamente ameaçada pela expansão das atividades agrícolas, os autores destacam a importância da conservação da vegetação natural para preservar a diversidade oculta dos liquens.

Abstract Peltula species occur in arid and semi-arid environments, with new species being regularly described worldwide. Lichen diversity is being studied in the diverse but poorly known Midwest region of Brazil, and new species and records are being proposed. In this paper, Peltula anthracina is proposed as new to science, and P. leptophylla and P. lingulata are reported as new records from Mato Grosso do Sul state. As it is a region highly threatened by the expansion of agricultural activities, the authors highlight the importance of the conservation of native flora to preserve lichens’ hidden diversity.

ABSTRACT Collema leptosporum was originally included in Collemataceae as part of the Collema fasciculare group, an informal group that also included C. fasciculare, C. papuanorum, and C. uviforme. However, molecular data from C. fasciculare showed that this species belongs to Arctomiaceae, and all species in this informal group were relocated to Arctomia, although no molecular data were generated and analyzed for C. leptosporum, C. papuanorum and C. uviforme. To investigate the phylogenetic relationships of Collema leptosporum, currently Arctomia leptospora, we analyzed three DNA loci and examined morphological and anatomical features of specimens collected near the type locality. Genetic data suggest that this species is not included in Arctomiaceae and should be treated as a new genus in Collemataceae. Hondaria gen. nov. is characterized by having the longest transversely-septate ascospores in the family ((100-)120-175(-200) × 2-4(-5) µm). This study also suggests that the structures characterizing the C. fasciculare group are a result of convergent evolution, since this group includes species from different distantly related species.