The phylogenetic position of the genus Pseudoparmelia was addressed using molecular data from five loci (mtSSU, nuLSU, ITS, Mcm7, RPB1), generated from three species and aligned with sequences from 293 samples representing all major clades of Parmeliaceae. Pseudoparmelia species form a well-supported monophyletic group that is the sister group of a clade consisting of the genera Relicina and Relicinopsis. These three genera share a thallus with a pored epicortex, isolichenan as cell wall polysaccharide, and relatively small ascospores. Morphological and chemical characters that distinguish Pseudoparmelia from the closely related Relicina and Relicinopsis are discussed. To further elucidate the relationships of these three genera, we assembled a second dataset including 15 additional samples of Relicina and Relicinopsis using three loci (mtSSU, nuLSU, ITS). All three genera are monophyletic but monophyly of Relicina lacks support and, in the mtSSU single locus tree, the genus is paraphyletic with Relicinopsis nested within. Additional studies including more Relicina species are necessary to test delimitation of the genera Relicina and Relicinopsis.

Previous studies have identified a close relationship between the monospecific Masonhalea richardsonii and Tuckermannopsis inermis. However, formal taxonomic changes were postponed until existing sequence data could be confirmed. Here we validate these data and discuss the transfer of T. inermis to Masonhalea (made by Lumbsch et al. in Thell & Moberg 2011), consider the morphological, anatomical and biogeographic similarities and differences between these two taxa. The two Masonhalea species both produce lateral apothecia, marginal pycnidia, a layer of cortical tissue beneath the pycnidial wall and bacillariform conidia.