Uncovering evolutionary changes in the mitochondrial genomes of lichenized fungi within the order Arthoniales

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/bk128b54n

Abstract

Lichens are symbiotic organisms that are understudied despite their usefulness to a wide range of disciplines. Studying the genetics of lichen, will contribute to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms behind symbiosis and fill in grey areas of taxonomic classification of lichens. The lichen order of Arthoniales is even less studied compared to its sister order Lecanorales. This study expands the genomic resources for the former order of lichen and reveals some novel genetic trends found among species within Arthoniales. Some genetic trends have yet to be identified in other lichen species such as the trans-splicing of nad4 among Arthonia species and lack of atp9 in select species in Opegrapha and Chrysothrix.

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