Data from: Resolution of the ordinal phylogeny of mosses using targeted exons from organellar and nuclear genomes

Mosses are a highly diverse lineage of land plants, whose diversification, spanning at least 400 million years, remains phylogenetically ambiguous due to the lack of fossils, massive early extinctions, late radiations, limited morphological variation, and conflicting signal among previously used markers. Here, we present phylogenetic reconstructions based on complete organellar exomes and a comparable set of nuclear genes for this major lineage of land plants. Our analysis of 142 species representing 29 of the 30 moss orders reveals that relative average rates of non-synonymous substitutions in nuclear versus plastid genes are much higher in mosses than in seed plants, consistent with the emerging concept of evolutionary dynamism in mosses. Our results highlight the evolutionary significance of taxa with reduced morphologies, shed light on the relative tempo and mechanisms underlying major cladogenic events, and suggest hypotheses for the relationships and delineation of moss orders

Threats and Conservation Strategies for Overlooked Organisms: The Case of Epiphytic Lichens

none5noIn this chapter, the main ecological factors that characterize the epiphyte environ- 7 ment and which determine the composition of epiphyte communities have been 8 described. In particular, emphasis has been made to focus on epiphytic lichens 9 which, due to their ecophysiological characteristics, represent a set of highly 10 specialized organisms that live in a delicate balance in this habitat. The main 11 threats that threaten their survival have been analysed along with the conservation 12 actions that have been undertaken to ensure the maintenance of the populations of 13 the most endangered species have been reviewed. Furthermore, some good 14 practices are suggested that can guarantee greater success of future protection 15 actions.nonePaolo Giordani, Renato Benesperi, Elisabetta Bianchi, Paola Malaspina, Juri NascimbenePaolo Giordani, Renato Benesperi, Elisabetta Bianchi, Paola Malaspina, Juri Nascimben