Project title: The evolution, diversity and hybridization of Acarosporaceae in southwestern North America: an integrative study using classical taxonomy, phylogenetics, and genomics
Project number: LUAUS23238
Founded by: MŠMT ČR (Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports)
Program: Programme: INTER-EXCELLENCE II, sub-programme INTER-ACTION (LUAUS23)
Project coordinator: CZU
Principal investigator: Prof. Assoc. RNDr. Jana Kocourková, PhD.
Project partner: College of Life Sciences & Science Museum Brigham Young University (BYU), Provo, Utah
Contact person: Michaela Kopřivová Stejskalová
Duration: 2023–2026
Budget: 11 040 242 CZK
Abstract:
Acarosporaceae is a global family of crustose lichens common in North American deserts. It is dominant in the North American Southwest with 90 species. Based on our current knowledge the family is more diverse and there are 15+ undescribed species from southwestern deserts. Several described species will get revisions and better circumscription. One morphological group of Acarosporaceae, the Acarospora strigata group, with white thalli often cross-hatched with fissures, has many specimens impossible to determine as any described species or are clearly new species. Genomic sequencing of Acarospora peltastica, the common species of the group, will be used to study possible hybridization or introgression in the genomes of the Acarospora strigata group produced by NGS. Two main genera of Acarosporaceae, Acarospora and Sarcogyne are the only non-monophyletic clades and have not significant support. They form two groups without any synapomorfies. We will produce phylogenetic study of the family to explore this problem as well as to describe any new species. If we resolve the problem we will stabilize the nomenclature and genera boundaries. If the problem remains, we will be able to explain it and will know what direction to take future research. Our work both in Europe and North America represents an advance in the circumscription of Acarosporaceae, using classical taxonomy, phylogenetics, and genomics as an integrative methodology. We plan to publish our results in 11 impact and 1 Scopus journals. For wide use of our results we will revise and circulate new keys to the family at the end of project and write a paper on the family in Utah and Nevada and the Great Basin Desert and the Mojave Desert (including California). Government agencies and scientists in desert regions highly anticipate our study of species diversity. This research will be developed and utilized in an eventual monograph on the family in the North America.
