HUH Seminar Series - Alica Košuthová
Date and Time
Location
Alica Košuthová
Researcher
Swedish Museum of Natural History and Stockholm University
Title: The Snow Lichen Puzzle (Stereocaulon): From Traditional Taxonomy to Integrative Species Delimitation; Why Historical Collections Hold the Key to Arctic–Boreal Species Complexes
Abstract: The lichen genus Stereocaulon presents long-standing taxonomic challenges, particularly within arctic–boreal species complexes. Traditional species concepts, largely based on morphology and chemistry, are being reassessed using integrative taxonomy. Our molecular analyses of approximately 1,000 specimens have revealed substantial hidden diversity, including 70 candidate species, 43 of which may be new to science. However, assigning correct names to these lineages remains challenging without examining historical and type material.
In this seminar, I will present our findings on species delimitation, symbiotic partners, and secondary chemistry, highlight unresolved nomenclatural problems, and discuss how museomic sequencing of historical collections, including material studied by Professor Elke Mackenzie (who published her earlier work as I. M. Lamb), could provide the missing evidence needed to resolve species identities and complete the taxonomic revision.