[5] However, the taxon was not validly published because "an identifier issued by a recognized repository was not cited in the protologue", contrary to rules of botanical nomenclature.

[8] Nelsen and colleagues, in their studies published in 2009 and 2011,[9][10] observed only minimal differences between the Aspidotheliaceae and Thelenellaceae, suggesting the possibility of merging them into a single family.

The reproductive structures, ascomata, are perithecial in form, either sitting freely (sessile) or slightly embedded in thalline warts on the lichen's surface.

These structures are thick-walled and can be smooth, warted, or ridged, often featuring a broad apical shield and varying in colour from pale to dark brown.

Asci, the spore-producing cells, are thick-walled and may have a small ocular chamber at their apex, but they do not turn blue when stained with iodine.