DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Implementing a pioneering approach to document and describe the taxonomically neglected sterile crustose lichens through a revision of the genus Lepraria s.l

通过含有真菌和藻类成分的特化繁殖体的无性繁殖发生在包括地衣的不同谱系中，并且是地衣生物学最有趣的方面之一。尽管在任何特定地区，以这种方式繁殖的地衣占地衣生物多样性的50%左右，但它们长期被忽视。本项目实施了一种新的方法来解决这个问题，使用修订的地衣属麻风在北美作为案例研究。这种方法依赖于广泛的实地观察，以协调分子数据的分析结果与那些基于传统的字符，如形态和化学。麻风属是一个独特的群体，已经失去了有性繁殖的能力，但仍在继续多样化。该项目通过在大陆范围内首次对麻风菌进行全面治疗，并为任何一组不育壳状地衣引入第一个标准化形态学术语，解决了地衣学方面的重大知识空白。在北美北部/北极地区的实地研究将大大增加这种治疗的功能。同样，新产生的分子数据将阐明地衣真菌无性繁殖的进化，同时为目前在麻风属内孤儿的许多物种提供分类位置。最值得注意的是，这里实施的方法广泛适用于其他不育地衣，提供了一个及时和具有成本效益的方式来记录和描述这个高度物种多样性，但长期被忽视的群体的生物多样性。 该项目将培训一名博士生，研究结果将通过开发网站、视频和大众媒体公共外联活动传播。

Asexual reproduction via specialized propagules that contain both fungal and algal components occurs throughout the diverse lineages that comprise lichens, and is one of the most interesting aspects of lichen biology. Although lichens that reproduce this way represent up to ~50% of lichen biodiversity in any given area they have been chronically neglected. This project implements a novel methodology to remedy this problem using a revision of the lichen genus Lepraria in North America as a case study. This methodology relies on extensive field observations to reconcile the results of analyses of molecular data against those based on traditional characters such as morphology and chemistry. Lepraria is a unique group that has lost the ability to reproduce sexually yet continued to diversify. This project addresses a significant knowledge gap in lichenology by producing the first comprehensive treatment of Lepraria on a continental scale and introducing the first standardized morphological terminology for any group of sterile crustose lichens. Field studies in boreal/arctic North America will substantively increase the functionality of this treatment. Similarly, newly generated molecular data will shed light on the evolution of asexual reproduction in lichenized fungi while providing taxonomic placement for numerous species currently orphaned within Lepraria. Most notably the methodology implemented here is broadly applicable to other sterile lichens, providing a timely and cost-effective way to document and describe the biodiversity of this highly speciose but chronically neglected group. The project will train a doctoral student and results of the study will be disseminated through the development of websites, videos, and mass media public outreach activities.