Molecular phylogeny and ecological diversity of endolichenic fungi inhabiting Acarospora schleicheri (Ach.) A. Massal, isolated from a Chilean Andean zone

The study examined the endolichenic fungal community associated with the Andean lichen Acarospora schleicheri, isolated from the Chilean Altiplano. Culturing techniques and molecular phylogenetics were employed to identify fungal strains belonging to various classes, including Dothideomycetes and Eurotiomycetes. Notably, the research identified Monascus sp. and Sporobolomyces reniformis, a basidiomycetous yeast, which are novel records within this lichen's thallus.

These findings contribute to our understanding of the fungal biodiversity in Andean ecosystems and highlight the ecological importance of crustose lichen species in extreme environments.