biostudies-literatureUnknown16Moller EJThe Rhizocarpaceae, a family of lichenized fungi within the Ascomycota, comprises approximately 160 species within five genera: Catolechia, Epilichen, Haugania, Poeltinula, and Rhizocarpon. Rhizocarpon is the most species-rich, with about 150 species predominantly inhabiting siliceous rock in boreal and arctic-alpine environments. Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed that current taxonomy, heavily reliant on morphology, chemistry, and life strategies, renders Rhizocarpon paraphyletic. This study aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships and clarify genus delimitation within the Rhizocarpaceae using an integrative taxonomic approach that combines three genetic markers and a diversity of taxa covering the moFungal systematics and evolution215-231https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12486223biostudies-literatureIntegrative taxonomy and genus delimitation in the Rhizocarpaceae (lichenized Ascomycota).PMC12486223Moller EJBendiksby MHaugan RTimdal EfalseIntegrative taxonomy and genus delimitation in the Rhizocarpaceae (lichenized Ascomycota).The Rhizocarpaceae, a family of lichenized fungi within the Ascomycota, comprises approximately 160 species within five genera: Catolechia, Epilichen, Haugania, Poeltinula, and Rhizocarpon. Rhizocarpon is the most species-rich, with about 150 species predominantly inhabiting siliceous rock in boreal and arctic-alpine environments. Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed that current taxonomy, heavily reliant on morphology, chemistry, and life strategies, renders Rhizocarpon paraphyletic. This study aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships and clarify genus delimitation within the Rhizocarpaceae using an integrative taxonomic approach that combines three genetic markers and a diversity of taxa covering the mo2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-06-04T04:20:47.581Z2026-05-04T03:14:15.532ZS-EPMC124862234104116910.3114/fuse.2025.16.12