Research group Prof. Werth

Research

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Our research focuses on cryptogams—specifically lichen-forming fungi and their photobionts—and employs ecological, ecophysiological, and molecular biology approaches. We investigate various components of biodiversity, encompassing both species diversity and genetic diversity within species. Regarding genetic diversity, our goal is to use population genetic and genomic data to determine which populations are exchanging genetic material; this allows us to draw conclusions on evolutionarily significant units and their geographical distribution, which is crucial for developing effective strategies for nature conservation. Dispersal biology of fungi (including lichen-forming fungi) is another core research area of ​​our group; we are currently investigating ektozoochory mediated by bird vectors, as there is insufficient knowledge which fungi are transported by birds. We study how lichens respond to environmental fluctuations and stress, with a primary focus on temperature changes and light regimes.

For further details on our research, please click here.

Methods and Approaches

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Our research focuses on lichen-forming fungi of the family Peltigeraceae and their photobionts. Students can learn a wide range of methods with us, including nucleic acid isolation, qPCR, Sanger sequencing, chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, thin-layer chromatography, axenic cultivation of fungi and algae, microscopy, how to collect field data, and lichen identification. Bioinformatics and statistical data analysis are also important areas.

Key Publications

• Beckett, R. P., F. Minibaeva, and S. Werth. 2026. Winter collections of sun and shade Afromontane lichens show similar non-photochemical quenching and PSII activity. The Lichenologist in press.
• Goss, A., and S. Werth. 2024. New microsatellite loci to quantify genetic diversity of the photosymbiodeme-forming lichen Sticta canariensis. The Lichenologist 56:39-45.
• Almer, J., P. Resl, H. Gudmundsson, D. Warshan, S. Andrésson Ó, and S. Werth. 2023. Symbiont-specific responses to environmental cues in a threesome lichen symbiosis. Molecular Ecology 32:1045-1061.
• Beckett, R. P., T. Roach, F. Minibaeva, and S. Werth. 2023. Alternative electron transport pathways contribute to tolerance to high light stress in lichenized algae. Physiologia Plantarum 175:e13904.
• Resl, P., A. R. Bujold, G. Tagirdzhanova, P. Meidl, S. F. Rallo, M. Kono, S. Fernández-Brime, H. Guðmundsson, Ó. S. Andrésson, L. Muggia, H. Mayrhofer, J. P. McCutcheon, M. Wedin, S. Werth, L. M. Willis, and T. Spribille. 2022. Large differences in carbohydrate degradation and transport potential in the genomes of lichen fungal symbionts. Nature Communications 13:2634.
• Chavarria-Pizarro, T., P. Resl, A. Janjic, and S. Werth. 2022. Gene expression responses to thermal shifts in the endangered lichen Lobaria pulmonaria. Molecular Ecology 31:839-858.
• Werth, S., P. Meidl, and C. Scheidegger. 2021. Deep divergence between island populations in lichenized fungi. Scientific Reports 11:7428.

A selection of publications resulting from the research of Master's and Bachelor's students

• Almer, J., and S. Werth. 2024. Effects of organic substrates on growth rate parameters of a boreal cyanolichen. The Lichenologist 56:393-400. (Bachelorarbeit)
• Wyczanska, M., K. Wacker, P. S. Dyer, and S. Werth. 2023. Local-scale panmixia in the lichenized fungus Xanthoria parietina contrasts with substantial genetic structure in its Trebouxia photobionts. The Lichenologist 55:69-79. (Forschungspraktika von Studentinnen)
• Sebald, V., A. J. Goss, E. Ramm, J. V. Gerasimova, and S. Werth. 2022. NO2 air pollution drives species composition, but tree traits drive species diversity of urban epiphytic lichen communities. Environmental Pollution 308:119678. (Bachelorarbeit + Forschungspraktikum)
• Kraft, M., C. Scheidegger, and S. Werth. 2022. Stressed out: The effects of heat stress and parasitism on gene expression in the lichen-forming fungus Lobaria pulmonaria. The Lichenologist 54:71-83. (Bachelorarbeit)