Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Lichen Symbionts
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Systematics, Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Classification".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 6023
Special Issue Editors
Interests: lichen systematics and phylogeny; Umbilicariaceae; epilithic lichens of Asian mountains; protection of lichens
Interests: lichen systematics and phylogeny; Megasporaceae; biodiversity and ecology of lichens
Interests: lichen; environmental monitoring; habitat; biodiversity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce a new Special Issue, “Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Lichen Symbionts”, in Plants (Q1 in Plant Science and Q1 in Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics).
Lichens represent symbioses between specialized fungi (mycobionts), namely, green algae or cyanobacteria (photobionts). Since molecular phylogenetics has become widely used in systematics, the knowledge on the taxonomy of fungal and algal associates in lichen thalli has changed significantly. Over the past 10–15 years, many lichen-forming families, and especially genera, have been found to be polyphyletic, and their concepts have subsequently been emended.
The implementation of the phylogenomic methodology into the taxonomical investigations has resulted in a re-evaluation of the taxonomical significance of traditional (anatomical, morphological, and biochemical) characters, as well as the improvement in the distinction of species. However, biologically important traditional characters still remain relevant for taxonomists, as a molecular phylogenetic tree seems not to be the final result of the phylogenetic reconstructions, but a valuable material for interpretations, the biological context of which should be understood using “phylogenetic thinking”.
Despite the fact that our knowledge of the phylogeny and taxonomy of lichenized fungi and algae is developing rapidly, there is still a mountain of open questions and challenges in this exciting field. Phylogenetic affinities and taxonomic placements of a large number of taxa are still awaiting clarification, and species complexes need to be resolved using the molecular techniques and the phylogenetic approach. Species-rich genera, cryptic species, taxa from biodiversity-rich areas, insufficiently resolved taxa of both mycobionts and photobionts, and the dating of evolutionary events are within the scope of interest of lichen taxonomists.
In this Special Issue, articles (original research papers, perspectives, hypotheses, opinions, reviews, and modeling approaches and methods) that focus on the phylogeny, trait evolution, and taxonomy of lichenized fungi, lichenicolous fungi, endolichenic fungi, algae, and cyanobacteria are most welcome.
Dr. Evgeny Davydov
Dr. Alexander G. Paukov
Dr. Giovanna Potenza
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- lichens
- lichenized genus
- lichen-forming fungi
- lichen algae
- lichen photobionts
- lichenicolous fungi
- endolichenic fungi
- taxonomy
- systematics
- phylogeny
- evolution
- photobionts
- symbiotic
- associations
- ecological roles
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
