BUSCHBOM, JUTTA* AND FRANçOIS LUTZONI. Field Museum of Natural History, Botany Department, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 and University of Chicago, Committee on Evolutionary Biology, Culver Hall 402, 1025 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637. - A molecular phylogenetic study of the genus Porpidia (Porpidiaceae, Ascomycota).
The lichen-forming genus Porpidia (Porpidiaceae, Ascomycota) provides
a model system for studying the evolutionary significance of sexual
and asexual reproduction. The present study forms the basis for future
detailed population genetic studies by analyzing the molecular
phylogenetic relationships of the genus. Based on DNA-sequence
variation in fragments of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene
(1.4 kb) and the ß-tubulin gene (1 kb) the relationships within
Porpidia and its relationships to closely related allies will be
reconstructed. Included in the analysis are selected species of all
described subgroups within the genus, representative species of
potentially closely related genera within the Porpidiaceae and
additional families, as well as relevant outgroup taxa. The results of
both gene phylogenies will be discussed.
Key words: lichen-forming ascomycetes, molecular systematics, nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, Porpidia, Porpidiaceae, ß-tubulin gene