Cora (fungus)

Cora is a large genus of basidiolichens in the family Hygrophoraceae. Modern molecular phylogenetics research has revealed a rich biodiversity in this largely tropical genus. The genus was originally thought to contain only a single species until DNA studies revealed its extraordinary diversity. High-throughput sequencing has also made it possible to recover fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) barcodes from older herbarium specimens of Cora and its close relatives (including material collected in 1888–1998), with sequences obtained from over three-quarters of the historical specimens tested. In 2016, scientists described 70 new species in one landmark study, bringing the total to nearly 200 recognized species, with estimates suggesting around 450 species may actually exist. Most species are found in the Americas, particularly in the northern Andes mountains, though some occur in tropical Africa, Asia, and Atlantic islands. These lichens typically form leaf-like structures that can create dense carpets on the ground in mountain grasslands and similar open habitats.