Pertusariales

The Pertusariales are an order of fungi in the class Lecanoromycetes, comprising 8 families, 31 genera, and over 600 species, many of which form lichens. This diverse group is characterized by complex taxonomic history and ongoing phylogenetic revisions. Originally proposed by Maurice Choisy in 1949 and later formally published by the lichenologists David L. Hawksworth and Ove Eriksson in 1986, Pertusariales has undergone significant reclassification due to molecular phylogenetics studies. The order includes well-known genera such as Pertusaria and Ochrolechia, as well as families like Megasporaceae and Icmadophilaceae.

Pertusariales species exhibit a wide range of morphological features and ecological roles, from non-lichenized fungi to various forms of lichen symbioses. The order's taxonomy has been subject to considerable debate and revision, with recent research leading to the establishment of new orders and the reassignment of some taxa. This ongoing refinement reflects efforts to more accurately represent evolutionary relationships within the group. Conservation concerns exist for some Pertusariales species, with Lepra andersoniae listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to its limited range and specific habitat requirements in the Appalachian Mountains.