Traditional taxonomic studies provide only a limited understanding of species richness within a group. Their usefulness for assessing species diversity could also be limited as many lack sufficient sampling and/or fail to integrate different data types for assessing species boundaries. To explore the challenges and limitations of estimating species richness in lichens, we employed an integrative taxonomic approach to elucidate diversification patterns of the genus Sticta (Peltigeraceae) in Puerto Rico. Specimens were collected throughout the island, and a six‐locus dataset was generated to infer phylogenetic relationships among Puerto Rican Sticta and their continental counterparts. Phylogenetic analysis was combined with species delimitation methods and analysis of morpho‐anatomical characters to assess diversity patterns and clarify species‐level taxonomy. We found that Sticta is represented by 16 species in Puerto Rico and that at least 11 (69%) of them are potentially endemic to the island. We describe eight of these in this work: S. borinquensis sp. nov., S. corymbosa sp. nov., S. densiphyllidiata sp. nov., S. guilartensis sp. nov., S. harrisii sp. nov., S. parvilobata sp. nov., S. riparia sp. nov., and S. tainorum sp. nov. These species do not cluster in a monophyletic assemblage but are scattered over the broader Sticta phylogeny, indicating at least eight separate dispersal events. Putative endemic species were found to have close allies occurring in South America. Careful re‐examination of material revealed phenotypical characters that separate most species, suggesting low levels of cryptic diversity. We highlight that integrating molecular methods and other sources of information in species discovery along with comprehensive sampling efforts can greatly enhance our knowledge about diversity patterns in poorly studied groups and regions. Furthermore, species and ecosystems in the Caribbean are being threatened by substantial human‐driven changes (e.g., deforestation, climate change). Consequences of these impacts include reduction in already restricted habitats and potential extinction. We argue that studies analyzing species diversity within a phylogenetic framework could better inform conservation efforts aimed at addressing these challenges.

中文翻译：

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阐明地衣真菌的物种丰富度：波多黎各的Sticta属（子囊菌：Peltigeraceae）

传统的分类学研究仅提供了对群体内物种丰富度的有限了解。由于许多物种缺乏足够的采样和/或未能整合不同的数据类型来评估物种边界，因此它们在评估物种多样性方面的作用也可能受到限制。为了探索估计地衣物种丰富度的挑战和局限性，我们采用了一种综合的分类学方法来阐明波多黎各Sticta（Peltigeraceae）属的多样化模式。在整个岛屿上收集了标本，并生成了一个六位元数据集，以推断波多黎各Sticta之间的系统发育关系和他们的大陆同行。系统发育分析与物种定界方法和形态解剖特征分析相结合，以评估多样性模式并阐明物种水平的分类学。我们发现，波多黎各的Sticta物种有16种，其中至少11种（69％）可能是该岛特有的。我们在这项工作中描述了其中的八个：S. borinquensis sp。十一月，S. corymbosa sp。十一月，S. densiphyllidiata sp。十一月，S. guilartensis sp。十一月，哈里斯氏菌sp。十一月，S. parvilobata sp。十一月，S. riparia sp。十一月和S. tainorumsp。十一月 这些物种不以单系组合聚集，而是散布在更广泛的Sticta中系统发育，表明至少八个单独的扩散事件。发现推定的特有物种在南美有近亲。对材料进行仔细的重新检查后发现表型特征将大多数物种分隔开，表明隐性多样性水平较低。我们着重指出，将分子方法和其他信息资源整合到物种发现中，再加上全面的采样工作，可以大大增强我们对研究不足的群体和地区的多样性模式的了解。此外，加勒比地区的物种和生态系统正受到人为驱动的重大变化（例如，森林砍伐，气候变化）的威胁。这些影响的后果包括减少已经受限制的生境和潜在的灭绝。