Molecular phylogeny of the Sphaerophorus globosus species complex

Abstract

AbstractThe Sphaerophorus globosus complex (Lecanorales, lichenized Ascomycota) shows a large morphological variation, and three relatively distinct morphotypes can be distinguished in parts of the distribution area. Here, we utilize a multigene‐based maximum‐parsimony approach (nITS+ LSU rDNA, mtSSU rDNA, β‐tubulin, and actin) to investigate whether these morphotypes constitute distinct species. The results show that there are at least two well‐supported monophyletic groups that we interpret as phylogenetic species within the S. globosus complex. These species do not completely correspond to the predefined morphotypes. One group, an apparently undescribed species, contains noncoralloid specimens from the North American Pacific Northwest. The other group, S. globosus, consists of two well‐supported monophyletic groups: one contains coralloid epiphytic specimens from the North American Pacific Northwest that are morphologically indistinguishable from epiphytic specimens from Europe and are presently interpreted as belonging to the same species and the other is morphologically variable and contains terrestrial specimens from Europe, North America, and southernmost South America and coralloid epiphytic and epilithic specimens from Europe. The results suggest that the population in southernmost South America originated by long‐distance dispersal from arctic populations in the Northern Hemisphere.