ANATOMICAL AND ONTOGENIC STUDIES ON THE LICHEN FAMILY SCHAERERIACEAE (AGYRIINEAE, LECANORALES)

The systematic position of the lichen family Schaereriaceae, formerly included in the Pezizales or incertae sedis, is evaluated. Since the g enus shares a number of characters with the Agyriaceae, including the hemiangiocarpous ascoma development, zeorine apothecia, and similar ch emistry, it is best placed in the Agyriineae. The ascus of Schaereria is interpreted as a reduction of the Trapelia-type. Since some differe nces occur between Schaereria and the Agyriaceae, namely the different paraphyses, ascus structure, and pycnidia, it is proposed to maintain the family Schaereriaceae within the Agyriineae.