Erik Johan Möller

• Möller, Erik Johan; Timdal, Einar; Haugan, Reidar & Bendiksby, Mika (2025). Integrative taxonomy and genus delimitation in the Rhizocarpaceae (lichenized Ascomycota). Fungal Systematics and Evolution. 16(1), s. 215–232. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.12. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  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 morphological, chemical, and ecological spectrum of the family. Our comprehensive sampling includes 50 species across the Rhizocarpaceae collected from diverse geographical locations and ecological settings. Our phylogenetic hypothesis is based on a concatenated dataset of two nuclear (ITS and MCM7) and one mitochondrial (mtSSU) genetic marker. Ascospore characteristics and thallus pigmentation alongside secondary metabolite profiles were mapped onto this DNA-based evolutionary framework. Our results underscore significant refinements in the classification of the Rhizocarpaceae , highlighting the inadequacy of traditional taxonomic markers alone to infer robust phylogenetic affiliations. We advocate for new circumscriptions of Catolechia , Poeltinula , and Rhizocarpon based on the molecular phylogeny and propose synonymizing Epilichen with Catolechia , the transfer of the species in the R. hochstetteri complex to Poeltinula , and the resurrection of Rehmia . We hence propose 24 new combinations and three typifications. Collectively, this study sets the groundwork for future research and stability in the systematics of the Rhizocarpaceae , augmenting our understanding of their diversity and evolutionary dynamics.

• Timdal, Einar; Möller, Erik Johan & Bendiksby, Mika (2024). Rhizocarpon vulgare, a new species in the R. badioatrum species complex. Graphis Scripta. ISSN 0901-7593. 36(4), s. 89–105. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Herein, we revise the Rhizocarpon badioatrum species complex in the Nordic countries using molecular phylogenetics combined with morphological/anatomical and chemical data. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS, the fungal DNA barcode) reveals four strongly supported clades within the R. badioatrum species complex. Based on our assessment of the multiple sources of data included, we recognize R. badioatrum var. badioatrum and var. vulgare at the species level and describe the latter as the new species R. vulgare. Rhizocarpon vulgare receives support also from a phylogeny based on mitochondrial ribosomal small subunit (mtSSU). Rhizocarpon cinereonigrum is the phylogenetic sister species of R. vulgare in both the ITS and mtSSU trees. Rhizocarpon sinense is reported as new to Europe with specimens collected from Iceland and Norway. The secondary chemistry is shown to be largely diagnostic for the species: R. badioatrum is usually acid deficient, R. vulgare contains diffractaic acid, and R. sinense contains gyrophoric acid. However, the concept of R. cinereonigrum, which was previously based on the presence of stictic acid, is shown to be ambiguous because that compound may also occur in R. badioatrum. Lectotypes are designated for Lecidea atrobadia, Rhizocarpon badioatrum, R. rivulare, R. sinense.

• Fryday, Alan M.; Möller, Erik Johan; Timdal, Einar; Yahr, Rebecca; Cannon, Paul & Coppins, Brian J. [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2024). Rhizocarpales, including Catolechia, Epilichen, Haugania, Poeltinula and Rhizocarpon (Rhizocarpaceae), and Sporastatia and Toensbergia (Sporastatiaceae). Revisions of British and Irish Lichens. ISSN 2634-7768. 41, s. 1–30. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Xu, Maonian; Liu, Yingkui; Möller, Erik Johan; LaGreca, Scott; Moya, Patricia & Wang, Xinyu [Vis alle 15 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Mycobiont-specific primers facilitate the amplification of mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA: a focus on the lichenized fungal genus Melanelia (Ascomycota, Parmeliaceae) in Iceland. MycoKeys. ISSN 1314-4057. 96, s. 57–75. doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.96.100037. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Halici, Mehmet Gökhan; Möller, Erik Johan; Timdal, Einar; Yigit, Merve Kahraman & Bölükbasi, Ekrem (2022). Rhizocarpon ozsoyae sp. nova (Rhizocarpaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes) from James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula). Herzogia. ISSN 0018-0971. 35(1), s. 105–114. doi: 10.13158/heia.35.1.2022.105. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The new lichen species Rhizocarpon ozsoyae is described from James Ross Island, located in the north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula region. The nrITS and mtSSU gene regions of the new species are studied and the phylogenetic position of the species is in the Rhizocarpon geographicum group. It differs from the other species of the group by having mostly 1-septate and smaller ascospores, and from nearly all of them by containing norstictic acid.

• Andreasen, Mathias; Möller, Erik & Fjelde, Markus (2021). Neozygites sminthuri (Entomophthoromycota, Neozygitales) a fungal pathogen on springtails new to Norway. AGARICA. ISSN 0800-1820. 42, s. 133–138. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  During a field trip outside of Oslo, a springtail of the family Isotomidae was collected and microscopically investigated. We found the specimen to be infected with the fungal species Neozygites sminthuri (Neozygitales: Neozygitaceae). The species is new to Norway and is rarely investigated internationally. Also, it has not been registered on a host species of this family of springtails earlier. The collection is presented with photos and notes on its anatomy, ecology and occurrence in Scandinavia. ntomophthoromycota, Neozygitales, Neozygites, Entomopathogenic fungi, fungi on Collembola

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• Möller, Erik Johan (2024). Generic circumscription in the Rhizocarpaceae. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Möller, Erik Johan (2024). Lichens on heavy metal rock and soil in Norway. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Simon, Antoine; Xu, Maonian; Möller, Erik Johan; Evankow, Ann; Lebreton, Elise & Haugen, Reidar [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2024). Molecular systematics and chemotaxonomic exploration of the genus Pseudocyphellaria sensu lato in New Caledonia. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Möller, Erik Johan (2023). På nedlagte gruver finner forskerne arter som nesten aldri er observert før. [Internet]. https://www.forskning.no/. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

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