Maham Fatima: Beyond Appearance: Revising the Genus Heterodermia in New Zealand Using Morphological, Molecular, and Chemical Data

The species in the genus Heterodermia differ in morphology, chemistry, ecology, and distribution. Although it is a well-collected genus, species boundaries and evolutionary relationships within New Zealand Heterodermia remain poorly understood, and current classifications may not reflect the true diversity.

This research uses an integrated approach combining morphological, anatomical, molecular, and chemical data to reassess Heterodermia in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Field collections and herbarium specimens are being examined to document species diversity, distributions, and diagnostic characteristics, while DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses are being used to investigate evolutionary relationships. Chemical profiling will further evaluate variation among species and contribute to understanding their taxonomy.