Search

Sulzbacheromyces is a genus of basidiolichen that includes nine species scattered on the African, American, and Asian continents. Sequences of the universal barcode of Fungi, the nuclear internal transcribed spacer - nuITS region, are available to all known species of the genus. Specimens of Sulzbacheromyces caatingae were collected during two expeditions in the Morro of Paxixi, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Midwest region of Brazil, in the Cerrado biome, where it was reported for the first time to the state. Morphological and anatomical analyses were performed. Specimens from Mato Grosso do Sul have a light green to indistinct thallus, while specimens from Ceará, Paraíba, and Piauí states present a thin green crust on the substrate. The nuITS sequences were also generated, and the distribution of S. caatingae was plotted with the haplotypes. Morphological differences were not reflected in the molecular analysis, which confirmed the identification of the species. In addition, an identification key to the known Sulzbacheromyces species is provided.

Clearwater Mesa is a pristine area located SE of Croft Bay in James Ross Island, at the northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The closest anthropic construction is the summer Mendel station located 25 km to the NE. Clearwater is a remote basalt volcanic mesa, (64° 01' S, 57° 42' W) located at ~ 250 m a.s.l., with around 50 small shallow lakes, a well-developed lichens flora and scarce fauna. The mesa offers a good opportunity to use lichens, like Usnea antarctica, as a biomonitor species. The aim of this study was to determine the baseline levels of trace elements in Usnea antarctica and their relationships with geographical parameters and climatological aspects, to use them as reference levels in futures studies. Usnea antarctica was collected in 23 sites in two transects: perpendicular and parallel to the shore. We found high contents of the elements associated with long-distance transport like Sm, La, Sc, Fe, Co, Hg, and Ca. The elements linked to the marine biogenic cycle as Sr, Rb, Cs, K, Na, Sb, As, Se, and Br were less significant. The distance to the sea was the factor that related the element contents. Hg, Se, As, and Br content in Usnea antarctica increased from the inland towards the sea coast.

Specimens of Leptogium collected in ten localities from the State of Rio Grande do Sul were studied. Sixteen species were found of 28 records mentioned to the state, which represents around 57% of the Leptogium diversity known for Rio Grande do Sul. Leptogium exaratum is proposed as a new species. Leptogium atlanticum, L. milligranum and L. vesiculosum are reported for the first time to the state. The lectotype of L. javanicum is reported here and detailed descriptions are provided to the examined specimens. An identification key is showed with all the 28 mentioned species of Leptogium. It is the first published taxonomic key for Leptogium from Rio Grande do Sul, the State with the highest diversity of this genus in Brazil.