My current research focus on phylogeny and species delimitation problematics within the family Teloschistaceae and the genus Lecanora in a wide sense. The main aim is to clarify the taxonomy in a number of difficult species groups in the genera Caloplaca and Lecanora using traditional as well as molecular methods. One example is the classic species Caloplaca citrina in which I now recognize at least six species in Sweden alone. These are not cryptic species but can be recognised morphologically when you know how to interpret the variation. Another aim is to clarify the phylogeny within the family Teloschistaceae. This is a joint project between me, prof. Ulrik Søchting in Copenhagen and Patrik Frödén at the department. To solve this we use several genes, both ribosomal and mitochondrial as well as morphological and anatomical characters.
Main research interests
Lichen taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography
- The family Teloschistaceae, especially the genusCaloplaca
- The family Lecanoracdeae, especially genusLecanora s.lat.
Lichen diversity, threatened species and nature conservation
- The lichen flora of the Fennoscandian mountain range
- Occurrence and ecology of red-listed and other rare species