Muellerella is a genus of lichenicolous lichens in the family Verrucariaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in northern temperate areas, and contains species that live on other lichens, or on liverworts.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis published in 2019 indicates that the genus, as currently circumscribed, is polyphyletic. M. atricola and M. lichenicola form one monophyletic lineage in the genus, but the rest of the species tested fell into two distinct monophyletic lineages. The authors suggest the placement of the genus within the subclass Chaetothyriomycetidae, but acknowledge that more genetic analysis is required to determine the correct placement of the type species, Muellerella polyspora.

Muellerella

Species

Muellerella antarctica

Muellerella erratica

Muellerella frullaniae

Muellerella hospitans

Muellerella lecanactidis

Muellerella lichenicola

Muellerella polyspora

Muellerella pygmaea

Muellerella rubescens

Muellerella stictinae

Muellerella thalamita

Muellerella ventosicola

Muellerella vesicularia

References

Verrucariales

Eurotiomycetes genera

Lichenicolous fungi

Lichen genera

Taxa described in 1862

Taxa named by Johannes Müller Argoviensis

Muellerella