Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Examination of the Species Complex of Lichen-Forming Fungi Cladia aggregata

The aim of the project was to further delimit the C. aggregata species complex using RAD-seq data and to describe how those species are related. Ecological, conservation, and evolutionary biology research all depend on accurate species delimitations. There are many cryptic species of lichen-forming fungi which makes it difficult to rely on morphological analysis for accurate measures of diversity and species delimitations. We hypothesized that using a sequencing method that allows for the discovery of SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) throughout the genome we would get a more accurate and further delimited description of the species in the C. aggregata complex compared to sequencing a handful of markers or a morphically examination of our samples.