Molecular phylogenetics
Molecular phylogenetics has revolutionized the taxonomy of crustose lichens and revealed an extensive amount of cryptic species diversity. In "Calvitimela" there are some species that are morphologically identical, but are genetically distinct and have different chemotypes. In the "C. melaleuca"–complex at least two distinct chemical lineages are observed with no currently known morphological correlation. There have been few studies investigating "Calvitimela" from a molecular phylogenetics perspective. Only one phylogeny focusing exclusively on "Calvitimela" has been published. They found "Calvitimela", "Tephromela" and "Violella" to constitute a well-supported monophyletic group. The relationship between the main clades remained partly unresolved, however. No study has yet included all species currently circumscribed to "Calvitimela", but the genus is so far indicated to be paraphyletic.