Alica Kosuthova - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Alica Kosuthova

BMC Evolutionary Biology, Sep 10, 2020

Background: In this study, we investigate species limits in the cyanobacterial lichen genus Rosta... more Background: In this study, we investigate species limits in the cyanobacterial lichen genus Rostania (Collemataceae, Peltigerales, Lecanoromycetes). Four molecular markers (mtSSU rDNA, β-tubulin, MCM7, RPB2) were sequenced and analysed with two coalescent-based species delimitation methods: the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent model (GMYC) and a Bayesian species delimitation method (BPP) using a multispecies coalescence model (MSC), the latter with or without an a priori defined guide tree. Results: Species delimitation analyses indicate the presence of eight strongly supported candidate species. Conclusive correlation between morphological/ecological characters and genetic delimitation could be found for six of these. Of the two additional candidate species, one is represented by a single sterile specimen and the other currently lacks morphological or ecological supporting evidence.

Lichenologist, 2022

The Rostania occultata species complex ('Collema occultatum s. lat.') is revised in Fennoscandia ... more The Rostania occultata species complex ('Collema occultatum s. lat.') is revised in Fennoscandia and found to consist of four species, all epiphytes on deciduous trees:

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Mar 26, 2019

The Quaternary climatic oscillations caused pronounced changes in the distribution of the genetic... more The Quaternary climatic oscillations caused pronounced changes in the distribution of the genetic variation among populations as well as phenotypic diversification worldwide. However, how important these processes have been in plants with high gene flow potential has been less studied. Sphagnum warnstorfii is a peatmoss species with a wide circumpolar distribution range exhibiting considerable morphological variation. In particular, many Arctic plants differ morphologically from plants in the rest of its distribution range. We used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping to investigate the patterns of genetic diversity in 112 plants from 105 localities sampled throughout the species distribution range and explored how this was correlated with phenotypic variation. Genetic cluster analysis identified two main genetic lineages with an average F ST of 0.21 between them. The first cluster is restricted to the Arctic region, whereas the second has a wider distribution range covering the Arctic, boreal and boreo-nemoral regions of Eurasia and North America. We show that morphological variation is mostly concordant with patterns of genetic differentiation, and possibly representing adaptation to local environments. Based on approximate Bayesian computation simulations, we find that the two lineages probably diverged from each other before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Our results show that vicariance due to glacial oscillations probably played a role for current patterns of diversification in a common peatmoss exhibiting a high gene flow potential.

Biologia, Nov 1, 2017

We analysed a dataset composed by the frequency of 79 epiphytic lichens recorded on 243 oaks dist... more We analysed a dataset composed by the frequency of 79 epiphytic lichens recorded on 243 oaks distributed in 29 oak dominated stands of the Western Carpathians, representing areas with high environmental quality up to disturbed environments. Lichen diversity indices (based on total frequencies and on functional and morphological groups) were used as indicators of the response to air quality and forest management. The level of air quality in these categories was a function of NOx, SO2 and particulate matter. From management viewpoint the units were classified as managed (areas subjected to periodic logging) and semi-natural (which currently have the status of National Nature Reserve and where eventual management practices date back to the history). The results showed that higher environmental levels of pollution were associated to the decrease of fruticose and in general pollution sensitive species, while low environmental levels of pollution were associated to the diffusion of common nitrophilous lichens as well as to a higher share of fruticose and in general pollution sensitive species. As far as forest management is concerned, a higher share of fruticose and sensitive species was associated to semi-natural and natural stands, whereas a higher share of foliose (pioneer and tolerant) species was associated to the managed stands.

The Lichenologist

The Rostania occultata species complex (‘Collema occultatum s. lat.’) is revised in Fennoscandia ... more The Rostania occultata species complex (‘Collema occultatum s. lat.’) is revised in Fennoscandia and found to consist of four species, all epiphytes on deciduous trees: Rostania effusa A. Košuth., M. Westb. & Wedin sp. nov., R. occultata (Bagl.) Otálora et al., R. pallida A. Košuth., M. Westb. & Wedin sp. nov. and R. populina (Th. Fr.) A. Košuth., M. Westb. & Wedin comb. nov. Rostania effusa and R. pallida are newly described from humid habitats in old-growth boreal coniferous forests, usually with a mixture of deciduous trees, and from similar areas in the subalpine birch-dominated forests of Fennoscandia. Rostania effusa is characterized by apothecia with red-brown apothecium discs and an excipulum thallinum with a simple pseudocortex and cubic to oblong, muriform spores. Rostania pallida has apothecia with whitish to pale yellowish discs and an excipulum thallinum with a distinct cellular pseudocortex, and ellipsoid, muriform mature spores that are often constricted at the centre...

Journal of Fungi, 2022

With rare exceptions, the shape and appearance of lichen thalli are determined by the fungal part... more With rare exceptions, the shape and appearance of lichen thalli are determined by the fungal partner; thus, mycobiont identity is normally used for lichen identification. However, it has repeatedly been shown in recent decades that phenotypic data often does not correspond with fungal gene evolution. Here, we report such a case in a three-species complex of red-fruited Cladonia lichens, two of which clearly differ morphologically, chemically, ecologically and in distribution range. We analysed 64 specimens of C. bellidiflora, C. polydactyla and C. umbricola, mainly collected in Europe, using five variable mycobiont-specific and two photobiont-specific molecular markers. All mycobiont markers exhibited very low variability and failed to separate the species. In comparison, photobiont identity corresponded better with lichen phenotype and separated esorediate C. bellidiflora from the two sorediate taxa. These results can be interpreted either as an unusual case of lichen photomorphs o...

Applied Vegetation Science, 2022

AimsClassification of European bog vegetation (Oxycocco‐Sphagnetea class); identification of diag... more AimsClassification of European bog vegetation (Oxycocco‐Sphagnetea class); identification of diagnostic species for the class and vegetation subgroups (orders and alliances); development of an expert system for automatic classification of vegetation plots; and production of distribution maps of the Oxycocco‐Sphagnetea class and its alliances.LocationEurope.MethodsA data set of vegetation‐plot records was compiled to include various bog types over most of the European continent. An unsupervised classification (beta‐flexible linkage method, Sørensen distance measure) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination were applied. Formal definitions of syntaxa based on species presence and covers, and respecting the results of the unsupervised classification, were developed and included in a classification expert system.ResultsThe Oxycocco‐Sphagnetea class, its two orders (Sphagno‐Ericetalia tetralicis and Sphagnetalia medii) and seven compositionally distinct alliances were forma...

Revisions of British and Irish Lichens is a free-to-access serial publication under the auspices ... more Revisions of British and Irish Lichens is a free-to-access serial publication under the auspices of the British Lichen Society, that charts changes in our understanding of the lichens and lichenicolous fungi of Great Britain and Ireland. Each volume will be devoted to a particular family (or group of families), and will include descriptions, keys, habitat and distribution data for all the species included. The maps are based on information from the BLS Lichen Database, that also includes data from the historical Mapping Scheme and the Lichen Ireland database. The choice of subject for each volume will depend on the extent of changes in classification for the families concerned, and the number of newly recognized species since previous treatments. To date, accounts of lichens from our region have been published in book form. However, the time taken to compile new printed editions of the entire lichen biota of Britain and Ireland is extensive, and many parts are out-of-date even as they are published. Issuing updates as a serial electronic publication means that important changes in understanding of our lichens can be made available with a shorter delay. The accounts may also be compiled at intervals into complete printed accounts, as new editions of the Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland

Fungal Diversity, 2021

Rapid radiations in Fungi are only beginning to be studied with phylogenomic data. The evolutiona... more Rapid radiations in Fungi are only beginning to be studied with phylogenomic data. The evolutionary history of the lichenized fungal order Peltigerales has not been well resolved, particularly for the Collematineae. Here, we used concatenation and coalescent-based species tree methods to reconstruct the phylogeny of the Peltigerales based on sequences of 125 nuclear single-copy exon sequences among 60 samples, representing 58 species. Despite uneven, lineage-specific missing data and significant topological incongruence of individual exon trees, the resulting phylogenies were concordant and successfully resolved the phylogenetic relationships of the Peltigerales. Relationships in the Collematineae were defined by short branches and lower nodal support than in other parts of the tree, due in part to conflicting signal in exon trees, suggesting rapid diversification events in the early evolution of the suborder. Using tree distance measures, we were able to identify a minimum subset of exons that could reconstruct phylogenetic relationships in Peltigerales with higher support than the 125-exon dataset. Comparisons between the minimum and complete datasets in species tree inferences, bipartition analyses, and divergence time estimations displayed similar results, although the minimum dataset was characterized by higher levels of error in estimations of divergence times. Contrasting our inferences from the complete and minimum datasets to those derived from few nuclear and mitochondrial loci reveal that our topology is concordant with topologies reconstructed using the nuclear large subunit and mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA markers, but the target capture datasets had much higher support values. We demonstrated how target capture approaches can effectively decipher ancient rapid radiations in cases where well resolved individual exon trees are sufficiently sampled and how to identify subsets of loci that are appropriate for fungal order-level phylogenetics.

The Bryologist, 2020

Abstract. The following new lichen species are described from the Atlantic rain forest remnant Pe... more Abstract. The following new lichen species are described from the Atlantic rain forest remnant Pedra Talhada (Alagoas, Brazil): Hafellia nortetrapla, with four ascospores per asci, ascospores grey to brown, 1-septate, 30–38 × 13–16 µm, and norstictic acid as secondary chemistry, and Pterygiopsis densisidiata, with an appressed thallus, densely covered with branched isidia, and clearly clustering with species inside the core group of the order Lichinomycetes, as shown by analysis of mtSSU region sequences. A further 19 species are reported as new to Brazil, and 307 new to the state of Alagoas. In total, 442 species have been identified thus far in our collections from Pedra Talhada, and a list of the species is provided.

BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2020

Background In this study, we investigate species limits in the cyanobacterial lichen genus Rostan... more Background In this study, we investigate species limits in the cyanobacterial lichen genus Rostania (Collemataceae, Peltigerales, Lecanoromycetes). Four molecular markers (mtSSU rDNA, β-tubulin, MCM7, RPB2) were sequenced and analysed with two coalescent-based species delimitation methods: the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent model (GMYC) and a Bayesian species delimitation method (BPP) using a multispecies coalescence model (MSC), the latter with or without an a priori defined guide tree. Results Species delimitation analyses indicate the presence of eight strongly supported candidate species. Conclusive correlation between morphological/ecological characters and genetic delimitation could be found for six of these. Of the two additional candidate species, one is represented by a single sterile specimen and the other currently lacks morphological or ecological supporting evidence. Conclusions We conclude that Rostania includes a minimum of six species: R. ceranisca, R. multipuncta...

Climate Change, 2016

Lichens are unequivocally responding to global change. Direct effects are so far apparent only in... more Lichens are unequivocally responding to global change. Direct effects are so far apparent only in the last two decades (since c. 1990) and in the temperate regions only. Contrasting responses of lichens and other cryptogams to recent changes have been reported. Lichens have indirectly suffered from global change effects in arctic regions. In this chapter, predicted, observed and uncertain effects related to lichen and climate change are discussed together with the habitats of vulnerable lichens, with special attention to mountaintops in the tropics – the most likely place for possible extinction of lichens as a result of global warming. The most severe effects of climate change, leading to probable extinctions, are expected (but have not yet been observed) on high mountains in tropical regions.

Herzogia, 2015

Collolechia caesia, Placynthium hungaricum, and P. posterulum are reported for the first time fro... more Collolechia caesia, Placynthium hungaricum, and P. posterulum are reported for the first time from Asia from limestone outcrops in Turkey. The apothecia of Placynthium posterulum, which were so far unknown, are described: They have a thalline margin, a character that within the genus is only shared with P. stenophyllum.

Climate Change, 2009

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the predicted, observed, and uncertain effects related t... more Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the predicted, observed, and uncertain effects related to lichen and climate change together with the habitats of vulnerable lichens, with special attention to mountain tops in the tropics—the most likely place for possible extinction of lichens as a result of global warming. Lichens have been observed to respond rapidly to climate change. So far, the changes are as expected with a rather rapid increase of (sub)tropical species in temperate areas, and a gradual decrease of some boreo-alpine elements. No lichens have, so far, been reported to be seriously threatened by climate change. Marked shifts in occurrence and distribution have been predicted based on known habitat preferences and projected climate change. Lichens, like most cryptogams, tend to be widespread, much more so than phanerogams or land animals. Also, many of the species seem to be capable of rather rapid dispersal, as shown by the recent arrival of some (sub)tropical species in a temperate area. Lichens are unequivocally responding to global change. The effects are, so far, apparent only in the last two decades and in the temperate region only. Lichens have indirectly suffered from global change effects in arctic regions. The most severe effects of climate change, leading to probable extinctions, are expected on high mountains in tropical regions.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2020

Characterizing functional trait variation and covariation, and its drivers, is critical to unders... more Characterizing functional trait variation and covariation, and its drivers, is critical to understand the response of species to changing environmental conditions. Evolutionary and environmental factors determine how traits vary among and within species at multiple scales. However, disentangling their relative contribution is challenging and a comprehensive trait–environment framework addressing such questions is missing in lichens. We investigated the variation in nine traits related to photosynthetic performance, water use and nutrient acquisition applying phylogenetic comparative analyses in lichen epiphytic communities on beech across Europe. These poikilohydric organisms offer a valuable model owing to their inherent limitations to buffer contrasting environmental conditions. Photobiont type and growth form captured differences in certain physiological traits whose variation was largely determined by evolutionary processes (i.e. phylogenetic history), although the intraspecific...

Microorganisms, 2020

Assessing the ecological impacts of environmental change on biological communities requires knowl... more Assessing the ecological impacts of environmental change on biological communities requires knowledge of the factors driving the spatial patterns of the three diversity facets along extensive environmental gradients. We quantified the taxonomic (TD), functional (FD), and phylogenetic diversity (PD) of lichen epiphytic communities in 23 beech forests along Europe to examine their response to environmental variation (climate, habitat quality, spatial predictors) at a continental geographic scale. We selected six traits related to the climatic conditions in forest ecosystems, the water-use strategy and the nutrient uptake, and we built a phylogenetic tree based on four molecular markers. FD and climate determined TD and PD, with spatial variables also affecting PD. The three diversity facets were primarily shaped by distinct critical predictors, with the temperature diurnal range affecting FD and PD, and precipitation of the wettest month determining TD. Our results emphasize the value...

MycoKeys, 2019

Here, we test the current generic delimitation of Rostania (Collemataceae, Peltigerales, Ascomyco... more Here, we test the current generic delimitation of Rostania (Collemataceae, Peltigerales, Ascomycota) utilizing molecular phylogeny and morphological investigations. Using DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial SSU rDNA and two nuclear protein-coding genes (MCM7 and β-tubulin) and utilizing parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods, Rostania is shown to be non-monophyletic in the current sense. A new generic delimitation of Rostania is thus proposed, in which the genus is monophyletic, and three species (Rostaniacoccophylla, R.paramensis, R.quadrifida) are excluded and transferred to other genera. Rostaniaoccultata is further non-monophyletic, and a more detailed investigation of species delimitations in Rostania s. str. is needed. The new combinations Leptogiumparamense and Scytiniumquadrifidum are proposed.

IMA fungus, 2018

Nomenclatural type definitions are one of the most important concepts in biological nomenclature.... more Nomenclatural type definitions are one of the most important concepts in biological nomenclature. Being physical objects that can be re-studied by other researchers, types permanently link taxonomy (an artificial agreement to classify biological diversity) with nomenclature (an artificial agreement to name biological diversity). Two proposals to amend the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), allowing DNA sequences alone (of any region and extent) to serve as types of taxon names for voucherless fungi (mainly putative taxa from environmental DNA sequences), have been submitted to be voted on at the 11 International Mycological Congress (Puerto Rico, July 2018). We consider various genetic processes affecting the distribution of alleles among taxa and find that alleles may not consistently and uniquely represent the species within which they are contained. Should the proposals be accepted, the meaning of nomenclatural types would change in a fundament...

The Lichenologist, 2016

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships in the cyanolichen familyPlacynthiaceaeto test the... more We investigated the phylogenetic relationships in the cyanolichen familyPlacynthiaceaeto test the current generic delimitations, where the monotypicCollolechiais currently accepted as distinct, based on differences in ascospores, ascus apex characteristics and the leprose thallus. Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of two sequence marker datasets confirmed thatCollolechia caesiais nested withinPlacynthium, and should be calledPlacynthium caesium(Fr.) Jatta. We reassessed the spore and ascus characteristics and showed thatPlacynthium caesiumfalls well within the variation inPlacynthiumand is thus yet another example of a species that differs from close relatives by its crustose-leprose thallus structure.