Lobarioid lichens, a prominent group within the Peltigeraceae family, exhibit ecological significance and yet pose challenges in their taxonomic classification due to morphological convergence and cryptic species diversity. This proposal aims to employ cutting-edge phylogenomic methods, leveraging whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, to elucidate the evolutionary relationships and systematic framework of lobarioid lichens, with a particular focus on taxa endemic to the South Pacific region. By integrating genomic data from diverse species, this study endeavors to resolve unresolved phylogenetic relationships, clarify species boundaries, and uncover cryptic diversity within this enigmatic group of lichenized fungi. The outcomes of this research hold promise for refining our understanding of lobarioid lichen evolution, providing insights into their ecological adaptations, biogeographic patterns, and conservation implications in the unique ecosystems of the South Pacific.