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In recent decades, historians have become increasingly interested in the logistical challenges and difficulties encountered by those responsible for the collection, preservation and safe transport of specimens from the field to the museum or laboratory. This article builds on this trend by looking beyond apparent successes to consider the practices and practicalities of shipboard travel and maritime and coastal collecting activities. The discussion focuses on the example of William Henry Harvey, who travelled to Australia in pursuit of cryptogams – non-flowering plants like mosses, lichens and algae – in 1853. In his private correspondence to family and friends, Harvey offered insights into the challenges and obstacles faced by all collectors in the period. His experiences were fundamentally shaped by the material culture, embodied knowledge and physical constraints he encountered on the way. On one level, shipboard and onshore collecting activities were facilitated by the connections forged by new technologies and Britain's global empire. But they also depended on specific contexts and relied on local agents and actors, as well as on the physical and technical facilities (and limitations) of those doing the collecting. The examples of Harvey and others shed light on the real, 'lived' experiences of individual collectors, the difficulties and challenges they encountered in amassing their collections, and the networks of people on which they relied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological soil crusts are communities composed of cryptogamic organisms such as lichens, mosses, cyanobacteria and green algae that form a skin on soils in areas where vascular plants are excluded or limited by water availability or temperature. The lichen Psora decipiens (Hedw.) Hoffm. is a characteristic key organism in these communities in many different biomes. The species has a generalistic ecology and high morphological variation, which contributes to the ability of the species to withstand environmental changes. We investigated whether different populations, based on site and associated morpho-anatomical differences, incorporate functional water relations and how/whether this was driven by changes in abiotic factors. Samples were collected from two climatically distinct sites, one ‘dry’ site in southern Spain and one ‘wet’ site in the Austrian Alps. Our results showed that samples from the dry site had a significantly thicker epinecral layer, higher specific thallus area, a faster water uptake and contained more water per dry mass, all of which contributed to a much slower drying rate. Both populations showed a highly adjusted water gain that incorporates functional water relations and diffusion properties as a result of local water availability. We show eco-physiological and morphological mechanisms that underlie the high variability in P. decipiens and suggest how these might provide ecological benefits for this generalist lichen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study the biodiversity of the most abundant phototrophic organisms forming biological soil crust communities were determined, which included green algae, diatoms, yellow-green algae and lichens in samples collected on Ardley and King George islands, Maritime Antarctic. The species were identified by their morphology using light microscopy, and for lichen identification thin layer chromatography as also used to separate specific secondary metabolites. Several sources of information were summarized in an algae catalogue. The results revealed a high species-richness in Antarctic soil crust communities with 127 species in total. Of which, 106 taxa belonged to algae (41 Chlorophyta, nine Streptophyta, 56 Heterokontophyta) and 21 to lichens in 13 genera. Moreover, soil crust communities with different species compositions were determined for the various sampling locations, which might reflect microclimatic and pedological gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A revision of the North American members of the Leptogium saturninum group (i.e. species with long lower-surface hairs, isidia, and usually smooth upper surface) is presented based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of mtSSU and nrITS sequence data, together with an extensive morphological study. Three species supported by both molecular and morphological characteristics are recognized: L. acadiense sp. nov. (distinguished by granular saturninum-type isidia, medulla composed of irregularly arranged or perpendicular hyphae), L. cookii sp. nov. (distinguished by cylindrical saturninum-type isidia) and L. hirsutum (distinguished by hirsutum-type isidia and medulla composed of loosely intertwined hyphae). One species supported by morphological characteristics, but for which no molecular data could be generated, is also recognized: L. compactum sp. nov. (distinguished by hirsutum-type isidia and medulla composed of tightly packed hyphae). Finally, L. saturninum (distinguished by granular saturninum-type isidia and medulla composed of perpendicular and parallel hyphae) is supported by morphological characteristics but molecular data from geographically diverse populations, including those near the type locality, indicate that the morphologically defined species is paraphyletic. Leptogium burnetiae is excluded from North American based on morphological study of the type. The species are described and illustrated in detail, and are distinguished morphologically by their isidium development, morphology of mature isidia, and pattern of hyphae in the medulla in transverse sections near lobe margins. A key to the members of the L. saturninum group and related species is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Traits of primary producers associated with tissue quality are commonly assumed to have strong control over higher trophic levels. However, this view is largely based on studies of vascular plants, and cryptogamic vegetation has received far less attention. In this study natural gradients in nutrient concentrations in cryptogams associated with the proximity of penguin colonies on a Maritime Antarctic island were utilized to quantify the impact of nitrogen content on micro-arthropod communities. Proximity to penguin colonies increased the nitrogen concentration of cryptogams, and the penguin source was confirmed by decreasing δ15N values at greater distances from colonies. Micro-arthropod abundance, diversity (H’) and richness declined with distance from the penguin colonies, and was positively correlated with the nitrogen concentrations of cryptogams. Δ15N of micro-arthropods was positively correlated (r2=0.865, P<0.01) with δ15N of the moss Andreaea depressinervis indicating that penguin-derived nitrogen moves through Antarctic food webs across multiple trophic levels. Nitrogen content of cryptogams was correlated with associated micro-arthropods indicating that biotic interactions affect community development in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems. The spatial patterns of Antarctic biodiversity can therefore be affected by local factors, such as marine vertebrates, beyond existing latitudinal patterns of temperature and water availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on status and application of the generic name Aspidelia. Aspidelia was introduced by James Stirton for two parmelioid lichens with gall-like tubercles bearing pycnidia. Topics discussed includes Aspidelia beckettii Stirt, collections of Notoparmelia tenuirima and Nesolechia oxyspora.

The new genus of lichenicolous fungi Austrostigmidium is described from Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego (Chile). It is characterized by the presence of black pseudothecia, pseudoparaphyses, fissitunicate, I−, KI− asci and 3-septate hyaline ascospores. So far, the only known species grows on Mastodia tessellata (Verrucariales, Eurotiomycetes). The new genus is compared with anatomically close genera. Based on nuLSU and nuSSU markers we inferred its phylogenetic relationships and found that it belongs to the family Teratosphaeriaceae (Capnodiales, Dothideomycetes) and is closely related to rock-inhabiting fungal species, as well as to the hyphomycetous lichenicolous fungus Xanthoriicola. Finally, the host-parasite interface has been analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy in order to describe the interactions among the new fungus and the symbionts forming the host lichen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the exemplification and reinstatement of lichens Thelephora pavonia Sw. and Cora ciferrii. It mentions that Thelephora is considered a substitute for Ulva montana Sw. and a typified specimen. An overview of the basidiolichen fungus Dictyonema glabratum or Cora pavonia (Sw.) is also presented.

Deer exclosure is an important management strategy for encouraging woodland regeneration in the presence of high numbers of Cervus elaphus L. This could pose a threat to important saxicolous lichen communities as a result of competition from bryophytes and other vegetation. This investigation compared the bryophyte and lichen communities associated with siliceous rock outcrops and boulders inside and outside a number of exclosures in wet heath vegetation at the Gruinard, Letterewe and Little Gruinard estates in Wester Ross. Species cover data were recorded from 6600·2×0·2 m quadrats, allocated to three different aspects of rocks, from 22 pairs of plots (placed either side of a deer fence) with randomization at each level of this hierarchy. The data were analyzed using linear mixed effects models. Mean lichen cover, diversity and species richness were significantly lower in quadrats on rocks within the exclosures. Mean bryophyte cover was significantly higher in quadrats on rocks inside the deer fence and was shown to have a highly significant negative relationship with total lichen cover. Saxicolous lichen species are particularly affected by the increase in shading and litter accumulation from the surrounding plants and the subsequent growth of bryophytes and heath vegetation on rocks within the exclosures. The results of this study have implications for the use of exclosures at locations where there are important saxicolous lichen communities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study focuses on dry acidophilous Scots pine forests, well known for their high biodiversity of cryptogams. We hypothesized that dense forests and heavy management were responsible for changes in species diversity, decreasing trends in lichen cover and increasing moss cover. This hypothesis was tested in three types of Scots pine forests maintained under three different management regimes: 1) managed forests (forest plantations regenerated by planting), 2) semi-natural forests (forest plantations regenerated naturally), both located in the Borská nížina lowland in SW Slovakia, and 3) natural forests (primordial vegetation without visible management actions from the association Cladonio-Pinetum Juraszek 1928), located in the Bory Tucholskie National Park, NW Poland.We observed that the cover of the canopy tree layer had the most significant influence on the diversity of lichens. Managed forests are planted and maintained to achieve denser tree stocking, and although the environmental conditions created appear optimal for moss species, they are less suitable for terricolous lichens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of changing environments, conservation is tending towards an adaptive framework which accounts for the movement of species in the landscape. This makes it necessary to quantify population dynamics of species of concern. We studied the nationally scarce Cladonia botrytes, a priority Biodiversity Action Plan species in Britain, examining population dynamics at two scales: first, we studied the demography for two populations over a period of 13 years. The monitored populations declined to complete absence, starting from 77 mats on 19 stumps. Individual mats persisted maximally for up to 7 years, but over 78% of more than 290 individual cases persisted only 1 year, and more than 93% of mats disappeared within 3 years. Secondly, we performed a targeted regional survey of more than 800 stumps across an additional 27 sites in the centre of the lichen's distribution in Britain in 2006. The largest populations known from 1998 were revisited and found to no longer support the species; only 9 stumps in 5 sites supported C. botrytes in 2006. We show that C. botrytes in Britain is characterized by short individual and population persistence times, probably locally dependent upon vegetative succession including overgrowth and shading, and the degree of stump decay. The species' transient nature poses a particular challenge to conservation, though we identify comparable systems from which lessons may be learned. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The pathogenesis of angiostrongyliasis, resulting from Angiostrongylus cantonensis invasion of the human central nervous system, remains elusive. Anthelmintics are usually used to kill worms, although dead worms in the brain may cause severe inflammation which will lead to central nervous system damage. Therefore, combination therapy with anthelmintics and anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of human angiostrongyliasis needs further study. To evaluate the efficacy of albendazole combined with a marine fungal extract (m2-9) in A. cantonensis infection, BALB/c mice infected by the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis were divided into three groups: mice treated with albendazole or m2-9 alone or in combination from day 5 post-inoculation (PI). Several efficacy parameters were recorded, including weight change, worm recovery, neurological function, behavioural analysis, eosinophil and leucocyte counts. The results showed that combination therapy increased body weight, reduced worm burden, improved learning ability, memory and action, decreased neurological dysfunction and leucocyte response in these mice. The combination of albendazole and m2-9 treatment significantly decreased leucocyte response and increased the frequency of rearing, compared to infected mice treated with either drug alone. Therefore, m2-9 is a natural product with potentially significant therapeutic value for angiostrongyliasis and is worthy of further study. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although various eukaryotic organisms, such as arthropods, endolichenic/lichenicolous fungi, and nematodes, have been isolated from lichens, the diversity and structure of eukaryotic communities associated with lichen thalli has not been well studied. In addressing this knowledge gap, we used bar-coded pyrosequencing of 18S rRNA genes to survey eukaryotes associated with thalli of three different lichen species. In addition to revealing an expected high abundance of lichen biont-related 18S genes, sequences recovered in our survey showed non-biont fungi from the Ascomycota also have a substantial presence in these thalli. Our samples additionally harboured fungi representing phyla (Blastocladiomycota, Chytridiomycota) that have not been isolated previously from lichens; however, their very low abundance indicates an incidental presence. The recovery of Alveolata, Metazoa, and Rhizaria sequences, along with recent work revealing the considerable bacterial diversity in these same samples, suggests lichens function as minute ecosystems in addition to being symbiotic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A chemotaxonomic study was carried out on the Lethariella cladonioides complex, including L. sernanderi and L. cashmeriana of the subgenus Chlorea, based on extensive field surveys and a detailed morphological and chemical analysis. Only one species, L. cladonioides made up of five chemical races, is recognized. Lethariella sernanderi and L. cashmeriana are reduced to synonyms under L. cladonioides. The presence of a remarkable chemical polymorphism within the population of L. cladonioides is demonstrated. New data on the chemistry and the distribution of the species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botany Bay is one of the richest sites for lichen and bryophyte biodiversity in continental Antarctica. A total of 29 lichen, nine moss and one liverwort species have been identified. The most extensive vegetation occurs on a sheltered raised beach terrace. Vegetation associations are described and compared to other continental Antarctic localities that also possess a rich vegetation cover. Ordination analysis clearly indicates the importance of the type of water supply, its regularity, the substrate type, and particularly in Botany Bay, the influence of nutrients derived from the local bird population in governing plant distribution and associations. A vegetation map has been produced and can be used as a baseline to assess vegetation changes over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on Candelariella canadensis. It explains that Candelariella canadensis grows on more or less bare soil along with other lichens or mosses. It stresses that Candelariella canadensis can be easily recognized because of its convex apothecia and well developed thallus. A table that lists some relevant exsiccata in different Swedish herbaria is also given.

The article offers information on Lichenomphalia (L.) meridionalis, a species of lichens. L. meridionalis shows the absence of clamps, a feature that characterizes all lichenized species of Lichenomphalia. L. meridionalis is compared with L. velutina and described as two different species, with a similar bulbilliferous vegetative thallus.

The capacity of the polar flora to adapt is of increasing concern given current and predicted environmental change in these regions. Previous genetic studies of Antarctic mosses have been of limited value due to a lack of variation in the markers or non-specificity of the methods used. We examined the power of five microsatellite loci developed for the cosmopolitan moss Ceratodon purpureus to detect genetically distinct clones and infer the distribution of clones within and among populations from the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. Our microsatellite data suggest that the extraordinarily high levels of variation reported in RAPD studies were artificially elevated by the presence of contaminants. We found surprisingly little contribution of asexual reproduction to the genetic structure of the Windmill Islands populations, but more loci are required to determine the distribution of individual clones within and among populations. It is apparent that Antarctic populations of C. purpureus possess less genetic diversity than temperate populations, and thus have less capacity for adaptive change in response to environmental variation, but more markers are needed to resolve the total genetic diversity in Antarctic C. purpureus and other mosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative review of 57 Lepraria species and 2 varieties is provided together with species descriptions and a key. Lecanora leuckertiana is transferred to Lepraria. In addition some putative taxa by different authors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new objectively-generated vegetation classification for southern and northern Victoria Land (continental Antarctica) based on the floristic composition of the plant communities. The new classification aims to integrate the existing physiognomic classification of the cryptogamic Antarctic tundra, provide useful data on floristic composition and distribution of the vegetation occurring in southern and northern Victoria Land, and develop a suitable tool allowing easy comparison of syntaxa from different locations. Field data from 26 sites along a latitudinal gradient (72°-77°S) were analysed by a hierarchical classification integrated with multivariate statistics, including indirect ecological information (Principal Component Analysis). Similarity of the identified groups was assessed through the Jaccard similarity index. The new classification is compatible with previous ones and is widely applicable to Victoria Land and includes previous classification. This standardized approach relates plant communities to their floristic composition and provides a basis for relating vegetation composition to environmental gradients and to patterns of vegetation dynamics and succession which are still poorly understood in Antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lichen species Sticta alpinotropica is described new to science from Papua New Guinea. It grows on rock between 3900 and 4200 m elevation in an alpine environment virtually on the equator. Although it is locally abundant, it is known only from one small mountain top. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ameliella Fryday & Coppins gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate two inconspicuous undescribed species, A. andreaeicola and A. grisea, collected from high altitude in the Scottish Highlands. Outside the Scottish Highlands, Ameliella andreaeicola is known from single collections from Norway and Canada, and A. grisea from a single collection from Norway. The new genus appears to have some affinity with Miriquidica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boreal forest trees influence mineral weathering rates via exudation and uptake processes. Most trees in the boreal forest live in symbiosis with ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi that sheath most of the root tips and form the main interface between the tree and the soil. Current weathering models do not take into account the nature and scale of fungal-mineral interactions. Here we show for the first time grain-scale effects of EcM fungi in symbiosis with a host plant on mineral weathering under sterile conditions. EcM fungi actively direct their growth and energy flow towards mineral grains containing essential nutrient elements for the tree and fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectomycorrhizal fungi are mutualistic symbionts of many forest trees and play a major role in nutrient uptake. They form diverse communities in boreal forest soils but functional differences within this group of fungi remain largely unknown. We study ectomycorrhzal fungi in mineral soil to determine how abiotic preferences influence their spatial distribution in stratified soil profiles. This is achieved by correlative field studies of species distribution and soil characteristics at a spatial resolution relevant to soil heterogeneity and mycelial size. Field sampling strategies are being evaluated to establish a protocol for simultaneous small-sample analysis of ectomycorrhizal community and soil chemical variables. Species-specific substrate preferences are examined by studies of regulation of enzymatic and biogeochemical activity in response to relevant organic and inorganic sources of phosphorus. Studies of four species in the genus Piloderma have demonstrated that different strategies to obtain phosphorus are reflected by their spatial distribution in a podzol soil profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic investigation of Lethariella srnithii and L. zahlbruckneri has established that they are conspecific. Three chemical races are recognized: race 1 containing norstictic acid, race 2 norstictic acid and placodiolic acid, and race 3 placodiolic acid as major medullary substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about the difference between fibrils and main stems in the epiphytic macrolichen called Usnea longissima in terms of the secondary compounds and chlorophylls. The author said that Usnea longissima often exceed one meter in length. He also said that it belongs to the subgenus Dolichousnea. It was also reported that the fibrils of the lichens are photosynthetic organs.

Usnea species of the Neuropogon group are amongst the most widespread and abundant macrolichens in Antarctic regions. Four principal species, U. Antarctica, U. Aurantiaco-atra. U sphacelata and U subantarctica, have been described on morphological grounds. However, identification to species level is often difficult and atypical morphologies frequently arise. Over 400 specimens were collected on the Antarctic Peninsula and Falkland Islands. Both morphological and molecular characters (ITS and RPB1) were used to compare samples to clarify taxonomic relationships. Morphological characteristics used included presence of apothecia, apothecial rays, seredia, papillae, fibrils, pigmentation and the diameter of the central axis as a proportion of branch diameter. Results revealed a very close relationship between U. Antarctica and U. Aerantiaco-atra, suggesting that they might constitute a species pair or be conspecific. Usnea sphacelata was comprised of at least two genetically distinct groups with no clear differences in morphology. One group included the first reported fertile specimen of this species. Usnea subantarctica was phylogenetically distinct from the other main Antarctic Usnea species, but clustered with U. Trachycarpa. Genetic variation was evident within all species although there was no clear correlation between geographic origin and genetic relatedness. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that species circumscription in the Neuropogon group needs revision, with the principal species being non-monophyletic. None of the morphological characters, or groups of characters, used in this study proved to be completely unambiguous markers for a single species. However, axis thickness was supported as being informative for the identification of monophyletic lineages within the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture experiments that trigger the axenically grown mycobionts of Lecanora rupicola to produce the polyketide chemosyndrome typical of the naturally grown lichen are reported. This chemosyndrome comprises lecanoric, haematommic and orsellinic acids, sordidone, eugenitol and atranorin, all of which were hardly produced under standard culture conditions. The only exception was arthothelin that was only present in the voucher specimen. It has been shown that almost the complete acetyl-polymalonyl-pathway leading to depsides and chromones can be induced in culture, but apparently not the xanthones. The mycobiont was also successfully re-synthesized with its original photobiont, as confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope studies (SEM). Cultures of the resynthesised lichen biosynthesized additional satellite substances, which were not detected either in the voucher specimens or in the aposymbiontically (without the photobiont) grown mycobiont cultures. The identity of cultured mycobionts of L. rupicola was confirmed by comparing ITS-DNA- sequence data from the original lichen with publicly available (GeneBank) sequences of that species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induction of secondary compounds in three reindeer lichens (Cladonia arbuscula, C. rangiferina and C. stellaris) was studied under controlled conditions in a growth chamber. Acetone rinsed (secondary compounds removed) lichen mats were subjected to three light regimes (PAR, PAR+UV-A and PAR+UV-A+UV-B), each combined with simulated herbivory (clipping). After 4 weeks, lichen extracts were analyzed by HPLC for any synthesized secondary compounds. UV-B induced the synthesis of usnic acid in C. arbuscula and C. stellaris and melanie pigments in C. rangiferina. Atranorin, fumarprotocetraric acid and perlatolic acid were not influenced by light quality. None of the identified compounds were significantly influenced by clipping. In conclusion, all three lichen species responded to UV-B radiation by developing cortical UV-B absorbing pigments that might function as protective screens. However, the experiment did not produce evidence for a herbivore-deterrent role of compounds studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porina pilifera Neuwirth sp. nov. is described from Costa Rica. It is similar to P. palmicola, but differs in having smaller ascospores 27-36 × 3-4 µm. Porina pilifera is only known from the type locality in tropical Central America, where it grows on the leaves of palm trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current knowledge about the non-lichenized genus Chaenothecopsis in Switzerland is reviewed. A characterization of the genus and a key to all accepted European taxa are presented, excluding the little known resinicolous species. The distribution of the 15 Chaenothecopsis species recorded in Switzerland is briefly summarized. Specimens in the herbaria belong mainly to C. pusilla, C. rubescens and C. viridialba; recent collections include rarer species such as C. hospitans, C. ochroleuca, C. retinens and C. tasmanica. It seems that many taxa occur predominantly in montane to subalpine forests in the Northern Prealps, although distributional data are still scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic position of the Ordovician calcareous microfossil Halysis Høeg, 1932 has long been uncertain. Only known from thin sections, its morphology has been suggested to be either a single chain of cells or a series of tubes and it has been regarded as a green alga or cyanobacterium. Here we propose that Halysis represents a single sheet of cells. This new morphological interpretation accounts for Halysis's appearance in thin section as an extended flexuous series of cells, some of which are not seen to be in mutual contact, exhibiting nonlinear cell-size variation. It is also consistent with the absence of tubiform sections unequivocally attributable to Halysis. This reassessment suggests comparisons between Halysis and Mesozoic-Cenozoic thin laminar unistratose coralline red algae. Halysis cells are relatively large (40–210 μm), but their lower range is comparable to cells of corallinaceans such as Lithoporella (Foslie) Foslie. 1909. Applanate thallus morphology in Halysis resembles that of thin laminar species of Lithophyllum Philippi, 1837 that were traditionally included in Titanoderma Nägeli, 1858. Interpretation of Halysis as a coralline-like alga strengthens the likelihood that a variety of corallines was present in the Ordovician, more than 300 Ma prior to the currently recognized major diversification of this important group of red algae in the Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sediment core from Progress Lake, one of the oldest lacustrine sequences in East Antarctica, contains distinct zones dating from a previous interglacial (most likely Marine Isotope Stage 5e, c. 125-115 kyr BP) and the present interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage I), separated by a transition zone representing when the lake became sub-glacial. Profiles of fossil pigments, determined using high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, show distinct differences in the photoautotrophic community during these two interglacial periods. The first was dominated by algae and purple phototrophic bacteria, with periods of photic zone euxinia indicated by pigments from anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria. Specific chlorophyll a derivatives reveal periods when grazing pressure impacted significantly on the phytoplankton community. The virtual absence of pigments in the transition zone reflects severe restriction of photoautotrophic activity, consistent with the lake having become sub-glacial. Retreat of snow and ice in the late Holocene (3345 14C yr BP) allowed establishment of a less diverse primary producer community, restricted to algae and cyanobacteria. Grazers were severely restricted and oxidative transformation was more important than during the previous interglacial. The pigment data provide a unique and detailed insight in to the evolution of the lake ecology over an interglacial-glacial-interglacial transition and strong evidence that the Marine Isotope Stage 5e interglacial in this region of coastal East Antarctica was several degrees warmer than at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the effects of climate change on Antarctic terrestrial vegetation requires a better knowledge of the ecophysiology of common moss species. In this paper we provide a comprehensive matrix for photosynthesis and major environmental parameters for three dominant Antarctic moss species (Bryum subrotundifolium, B. pseudotriquetrum and Ceratodon purpureus). Using locations in southern Victoria Land, (Granite Harbour, 77°S) and northern Victoria Land (Cape Hallett, 72°S) we determined the responses of net photosynthesis and dark respiration to thallus water content, thallus temperature, photosynthetic photon flux densities and CO2 concentration over several summer seasons. The studies also included microclimate recordings at all sites where the research was carried out in field laboratories. Plant temperature was influenced predominantly by the water regime at the site with dry mosses being warmer. Optimal temperatures for net photosynthesis were 13.7°C, 12.0°C and 6.6°C for B. subrotundifolium, B. pseudotriquetrum and C. purpureus, respectively and fall within the known range for Antarctic mosses. Maximal net photosynthesis at 10°C ranked as B. subrotundifolium > B. pseudotriquetrum > C. purpureus. Net photosynthesis was strongly depressed at subzero temperatures but was substantial at 0°C. Net photosynthesis of the mosses was not saturated by light at optimal water content and thallus temperature. Response of net photosynthesis to increase in water content was as expected for mosses although B. subrotundifolium showed a large depression (60%) at the highest hydrations. Net photosynthesis of both B. subrotundifolium and B. pseudotriquetrum showed a large response to increase in CO2 concentration and this rose with increase in temperature; saturation was not reached for B. pseudotriquetrum at 20°C. There was a high level of variability for species at the same sites in different years and between different locations. This was substantial enough to make prediction of the effects of climate change very difficult at the moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heppia arenacea M. Schultz and Lempholemma polycarpum M. Schultz are described as new and placed in the Lichinaceae. Heppia arenacea occurs in soil-crust communities in southern Yemen and on Socotra. It colonizes both calcareous soil-crusts over limestone as well as soils originating from basaltic rocks. The sand-coloured, squamulose thallus, the erumpent, dark red apothecia and the incorporation of soil material into the thallus are diagnostic characters. Lempholemma polycarpum occurs on inclined limestone boulders in south-eastern Yemen. It is characterized by an umbilicate-lobate thallus with radiating, tongue-shaped, furcate lobes which bear numerous, small, immersed apothecia with punctiform discs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuscopannaria atlantica P. M. Jørg. & P. James, a new species from consolidated soil near the sea is described from the Azores. It is also present in SW Ireland, S W England, Wales and SW Scotland and appears to be part of the Macaronesian element in the lichen flora of the British Isles, as well as an addition to the oceanic flora of Liguria, Italy. An updated key to the European species of Fuscopannaria is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FT-Raman spectra have been obtained from the highly pigmented lichen Cryptothecia Rubrocincta from a Brazilian vestigial rainforest habitat. Spectral signatures of the two mare lichen substances, chiodectonic acid and confluentic acid, were identified in adjacent zones of the thallus Of the characteristic zonal colours displayed by the thallus, the outer red zone contained chiodectonic acid arid no calcium oxalate, and graded into by a pink zone with calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite) in association with chiodectonic acid, to the inside of which is a concentric white zone containing calcium oxalate dihydrate (weddellite); however, chemically differentiated sites (elliptical brown flecks with a major axis of c, 15 mu;m) in both the pink and red zones contained chiodectonic acid and calcium oxalate monohydrate. The role of Raman spectroscopy in the spatial identification of lichen substances in the thallial structures is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogeny of the lichen family Gomphillaceae sensu Vězda & Poelt was reconstructed by parsimony analysis of a phenotype data matrix including ecological, thallus, apothecial, and hyphophore characters. Two hundred and twenty-eight taxa and 209 characters, grouped into ecology (14), thallus (45), apothecia (83), and hyphophores (67), were included in the analysis. Gyalidea hyalinescens (Asterothyriaceae) was used as outgroup. Because of the high level of homoplasy (consistency index of all-texa tree without character weighting CI=0.12), and the resulting uncertainty (generally low support) with respect to group topologies, we accepted both monophyletic c, lades and paraphyletic grades and only rejected previously proposed classifications if the taxon in question appeared polyphyletic, or if segregate taxa were characterized by functionally independent apomorphies and/or by evidence of radiation. Thus, the following 19 genera (synonyms in brackets) are accepted as a result of this study: Actinoplaca (segregate of Echinoplaca; isidioid hyphophores), Aderkomyces (Psathyromyces; segregate of Tricharia; white setae, hyphal excipulum), Aplanocalenia (segregate of Calenia; immersed applanare apothecia), Arthotheliopsis (Phallomyces; segregate of Echinoplaca; smooth thallus, differentiated diahyphae), Aulaxina (Lochomyces; carbonized apothecia, bristle-shaped hyphophores with palmate diahyphae on prothallus), Calenia (Bullatina; zeorine apothecia, acute to bristle-shaped hyphophores with moniliform diahyphae), Caleniopsis (thick white thallus with dark prothallus, zeorine apothecia, bristle-shaped hyphophores with palmate diahyphae on prothallus), Diploschistella (segregate of Gyalideopsis; immersed apothecia), Echinoplaca (Spinomyces, Sporocybomyces; crystalline thallus, acute to bristle-shaped hyphophores with moniliform or derived diahyphae), Ferraroa (segregate of Gyalideopsis; campylidioid hyphophores), Gomphillus (vertically elongate apothecia, filiform ascospores), Gyalectidium (Tauromyces; zeorine apothecia squamiform hyphophores), Gyalideopsis (Epilithia, Microlychnus, Microspatha; chiefly biatorine apothecia, setiform or flabellate hyphophores), Hippocrepidea (applanate apothecia, squamiform hyphophores with strongly derived diahyphae), Jamesiella (segregate of Gyalideopsis; isidioid hyphophores), Lithogyalideopsis (segregate of Gyalideopsis; lecideine apothecia, bristle-shaped hyphophores with palmate diahyphae), Paratricharia (black setae, partly carbonized apotheicea with columella), Rubrotricha (segregate of Tricharia; red-brown setae, hyphal excipulum), and Tricharia (Microxyphiomyces, Setomyces; black setae, proso- or paraplectenchymatous excipulum). The following taxa and combinations are introduced: Actinoplaca gemmifera comb. nov. [Echinoplaca gemmifera], Aderkomyces albostrigosus comb. nov. (Tricharia albostrigosa), A. armatus comb. nov. (T. armata), A. carneoalbus comb. nov. (T. carneoalba), A. cretaceous comb. nov. (T. cretacea), A. cubanus comb. nov. (T. cubana), A. deslooveri comb. nov. (T. deslooveri), A. dilatatus comb. nov. (T. dilatata), A. fumosus comb. nov. (T. fumosa), A. heterellus comb. nov. (Arthonia heterella; Lopadium membranula; Echinoplaca affinis), A. guatemalensis comb. nov. (T. guatemalensis), A. lobulimarginatus sp. nov., A. microcarpus comb. nov. (T. microcarpa), A. microtrichus comb. nov. (T. microtricha), A. papilliferus comb. nov. (T. papillifera), A. planicarpus comb. nov. (T. planicarpa), A. planus comb. nov. (T. plana), A. purulhensis comb. nov. (T. purulhensis), A. ramiferus comb. nov. (T. ramifera0, A. subalbostrigosus comb. nov. (T. subalbostrigosa), A. subplanus comb. nov. (T. subplana), A. testaceus comb. nov. (T. testacea), A. verruciferus comb. nov. (T. verrucifera), A. verrucocus comb. nov. (T. verrucosa), Aplanocalenia gen. nov., A. inconspicua comb. nov. (Heterothecium inconspicuum; Calenia inconspicua), Arthotheliopsisserusiauxii comb. nov. (Echinoplaca serusiauxii), A. tricharioides comb. nov. (E. tricharioides), Caleniopsis aggregate comb. nov. (Calenia aggregate), C. conspersa comb. nov. (Thelotrema conspersa; Calenia conspersa), Diploschistella lithophila comb. nov. (Gyalideopsis lithophila), D. solorinellaeformis comb. nov. (G. solorinellaeformis), D. trapperi comb. nov. (G. trapperi), Echinoplaca macgregorii comb. nov. (Arthonia macgregorii), Ferraroa gen. nov., Ferraroa hyaline comb. nov. (Gyalideopsis hyalina), Gyalideopsis brevipilosa comb. nov. (Tricharia brevipilosa), G. buckei nom. nov. (Tricharia vezdae), G. cristata comb. nov. (Epilithia cristata), G. glauca comb. nov. (Microspatha glauca), G. puertoricensis sp. nov., Jamesiella gen. nov. J. anastomosans comb. nov. (Gyalideopsis anastomosans), J. perlucida comb. nov. (G. perlucida), J. scotica comb. nov. (G. scotica), Lithogyalideopsis gen. nov., L. aterrima comb. nov. (Gyalideopsis aterrima), L. poeltii comb. nov. (g. poeltii), L. vivantii comb. nov. (G. vivantii), L. zeylandica comb. nov. (G. zeylandica), Rubrotricha gen. nov., R. helminthospora comb. nov. (Tricharia helminthospora), R. subhelminthospora sp. nov., Tricharia atrocarpa sp. nov., and Tricharia variratae sp. nov. A key is presented to all genera of Gomphillaceae, and a synopsis of the family classification, with all presently known species, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphis tetralocularis C. Bock & Hauck is described as a new species from Rwanda. It is characterized by triseptate, hyaline ascospores 12–15(−17) × 5–7.5 mu;m, a connivent, laterally carbonized exciple and by the presence of atranorin. So far, G. tetralocularis is only known from the type locality in central Africa, where it grows epiphytically on Nuxia floribunda in a dry forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following new species of Parmeliaceae are described from Rwanda: Hypotrachyna rwandensis Elix, Eb. Fischer & Killmann and Parmotrema afrocetratum Elix, Eb. Fischer & Killmann. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inventory of foliicolous lichens in Mexican lowland and montane rainforest revealed a total of 288 species, 238 of which are new records for the country, raising the number of reported lichen species to e. 1800. Among the new records, there arc 29 recently described species and four new records for the Neotropics and the Americas, while five taxa are for the first time reported for Central America. The 293 species now known from Mexico comprise nearly two-thirds pantropical to cosmopolitan or intercontinentally distributed taxa, whereas little more than one-third are Neotropical or American, and only 6% are potentially endemic to the country. A comparison with other lowland and montane rainforest sites in Guatemala, Costa Pica and Ecuador shows that on average lowland sites have twice as many species as montane sites. Also, the differentiation in species composition between lowland and montane sites within the same region is more pronounced (63–75% similarity) than that between adjacent regions (96–99% similarity for lowland sites and 83–87% similarity for montane sites). This means that altitudinal preferences affect species composition more strongly than geographical differentiation. The latter is a function of distance, however, while Mexican and Guatemalan lowland (montane) sites share 96% (83%) of the species, these values drop to 74% (72%) when comparing Mexico with Ecuador. Nevertheless, overall floristic similarity is very high, with the lowest value of 54% shared species found between Mexican lowland and Costa Rican montane forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diel (24-h) time courses of microclimate, water relations, and CO2 exchange were measured under quasi-natural conditions at a forest edge in a lower montane, tropical rainforest in Panama for six Lobariaceae (Lobaria crenulata, L. dissecta, Pseudocyphellaria aurata, P. intricata, Sticta sublimbata, S. weigelii). Responses to experimentally controlled water content WC), photosynthetic photon fluence rate (PPFR), and temperature were studied in most detail with P. aurata. Photosynthesis was well adapted to high temperatures, and all species exhibited ‘shade plant’ characteristics with low light compensation points and low light saturation. Lobaria and Pseudocyphellaria species suffered from a strong depression of net photosynthesis (NP) at suprasaturating WC; suprasaturation depression was less in cyphellate Sticra species. Photosynthetic capacity correlated with thallus nitrogen concentration, and maximal NP rates of the cyanobacterial Sticta species was 4 to 5 times higher than that of the green algal Lobaria species. However, high rates of NP were uncommon and brief events under natural conditions; the different environmental factors were rarely optimal simultaneously. Similar to earlier observations with other rainforest lichens, NP ceased during the period of highest irradiation on most days due to desiccation. During moist periods low light often limited carbon fixation, and high thallus hydration was often detrimental to NP. In spite of these limitations the maximal daily integrated net photosynthetic carbon income (ΣNP) was quite high especially for the Sticta species [17.3 and 24.1 mgC (gC)-1 day-1 for S. sublimbata and S. weigelii, respectively]. High nocturnal carbon loss, due to high night temperatures and continuous hydration, resulted in frequent negative diel carbon balances (EC) in all species. The average nocturnal carbon loss amounted to 83 and 70% ΣNP for P. aurata and P. intricata, respectively and to 64 and 59% of ΣNP for S. sublimbata and S. weigelii, respectively. Their average diel ΣC was as high as 3.7 and 5.3 mgC (gC)-1 day-1. In contrast, ΣC was much lower for the other species, it amounted to only 0.18 mgC (gC)-1 day-1 for L. crenulata. Thus, the Sticta species stood out amongst the species studied for their most successful adaptation of photosynthetic productivity to the habitat conditions m the lower montane rainforest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first molecular phylogenetic study on a range of Punctelia species is reported, focussing on specimens growing in the Iberian Peninsula. Material of seven species was included in the analysis. Forty sequences were generated from nuITS and mtSSU rDNA in 20 specimens, and the resultant majority rule consensus tree from the combined analyses shows four major clades. Punctelia ulophylla is confirmed as a distinct species, P. reddenda is basal to P. borreri, and P. perretaculata groups with P. subrudecta. Samples identified as P. rudecra from the Canary Islands and China occupy different basal positions; the complex merits further study, Punctelia borreri and P. subrudecta are mainly coastal in the Iberian Peninsula, but are now reported from the central plateau for the first rime; newly colonizing thalli have been found m a park in Madrid which is regularly spray-watered and where sulphur dioxide levels have fallen over the last two decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight new species of Xanthoparmelia (Pameliaceae) are described from eastern Australia: X. biloelensis Elix, X. fracticollis Elix, X. kosciuszkoensis Elix, X. nerrigensis Elix, X. paratasmanica Elix, X. rankinensis Elix, X. remanella Elix and X. stuartioides Elix. In addition, a further ten new state records of Xanthoparmelia are reported from eastern Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canopy lichen abundance was assessed by size class on regenerating hemlocks, comparing trees of similar size and age (c. 120–140 yrs) growing in the understorey of old-growth cedar-hemlock stands with those growing in adjacent even-aged hemlock stands (natural origin patches c. 1–3 ha in size). Five chlorolichen taxa were associated with old-growth understorey trees: Cavernularia hultenii, Hypogymnia vitatta, Parmelia hygrophila, Platismatia norvegica, and Usnea spp. Lobaria pulmonaria was the most abundant cyanolichen on regenerating hemlock in the old-growth forest stands, particularly in lower canopy (under 12 m) exposures. However, other cyanolichen taxa such as Nephroma helveticum, Sticta fulginosa, and Pseudocyphellaria anomala, reached their greatest abundance at mid-canopy (12–24 m) positions. Smaller cyanolichen thalli (<9 cm²) were abundant on regenerating hemlocks across all canopy positions in the old-growth forest, raising the question as to whether or not cyanolichen thalli in mid- to upper-canopy environments represented long-established individuals facing severe growth constraints, or were simply thalli that had experienced higher rates of fragmentation, and thus did not achieve larger sizes. In comparison, cyanolichens of all taxa were essentially absent from the small-patch even-aged forest stands. Given that dispersal of propagules was not likely a major limiting factor, these 120–140 year old even-age stands may not yet have attained sufficient old-growth characteristics (especially canopy microclimate and canopy through-flow enrichment) to support cyanolichen growth. These findings have major conservation biology implications for wet interior cedar-hemlock forests in British Columbia, where forest harvesting is creating a mosaic of even-aged stands, whose projected age at the time of next harvest (rotation age) will be 120 years or less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic position of the Neuropogon group, as inferred from the morphology of representative species of the group and ITS sequences from Usnea antarctica and U. sphacelata, is discussed. Morphological observations revealed that the Neuropogon group does not have annular-pseudocyphellae, which are characteristic of the subgenus Dolichousnea, or a fistulose axis, which is characteristic of the subgenus Eumitria. In addition, the hypothecium of Neuropogon is thin, and the iodine reaction in the axis is negative. These features are consistent with those of the subgenus Usnea. Within the subgenus Usnea, Neuropogon is morphologically distinct from sections Usnea and Ceratinae (i.e. having a sphacelata-type cortex, black pigmentation of the upper thallus and a dark brown apothecial disc). The molecular data suggest that U. antarctica and U. sphacelata are members of the subgenus Usnea and are less closely related to subgenera Dolichousnea and Eumitria. The morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis suggest that the Neuropogon group is a member of the subgenus Usnea at the level of a section, and the appropriate name for this group is subgenus Usnea section Neuropogon (Nees & Flot.) Mont. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial pattern of lichen species richness was analyzed in a forest ecosystem impacted for 50 years by industrial emissions from a steelworks. Geostatistical tools were used to characterize the spatial pattern of the number of lichen species and multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing it. Spatial analysis showed high variation of lichen species richness on a local scale, caused by patchiness of natural habitat factors (species composition of trees, their age, shade, etc.). On a large spatial scale, species richness differentiated the western from the eastern part of the forest. The western part, closer to the sources of pollution, had fewer species (average 6–10 per locality) than the eastern part (10–15 per locality). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between the species richness of lichens and several environmental variables: input of ions with bulk precipitation (SO42-, NO3¯, Cl¯, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+, Zn3+, Pb2+, Cd2+), distance to forest edge, tree stand age, and number of species per locality. Regression analysis was preceded by factor analysis for the input of ions to obtain uncorrelated variables. Regression explained 53% of the variation of lichen species richness. Highly significant predictor variables were the factor connected with the input of pollutants (Fe3+, Zn2+) emitted by the steelworks (negative effect) and the number of trees per locality (positive effect). Species richness was also affected by the age structure of the tree stand; more species were recorded in old forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antarctic endemics Umbilicaria kappenii and U. antarctica are morphologically close, but mainly distinguished by their reproductive strategies. Umbilicaria antarctica propagates by means of thalloconidia. Umbilicaria kappenii lacks thalloconidia, but exhibits a variety of asexual propagules: soredia, adventive lobes and thallyles. We have now employed molecular data from three gene regions to examine the phylogenetic relationships of these two morphotypes. The phylogeny of ten samples and four outgroup taxa (Umbilicaria decussata, U. krascheninnikovii, U. nylanderiana, U. umbilicarioides) was reconstructed using Bayesian and maximum parsimony analyses of a combined data set of nuclear ITS, nuclear LSU rDNA and mitochondnal LSU rDNA sequences. Forty two new partial sequences of 14 specimens were generated. Our results indicate that all samples morphologically referred to U. antarctica and U. kappenii form a monophyletic group. A topology separating the two morphotypes as phylogenetic species is significantly rejected with the data set. It is proposed to place U. kappenii into synonymy with U. antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In newly collected material from high altitudes in China and India three new species in the genus Fuscopannaria have been discovered: F. albomaculata, F. granulifera and F. hirsuta, all with unusual characters for the genus. The first one has remarkable tube-like structures exposing the white medulla above, the thallus thus appearing to be white-dotted. The second contains green algae, and the last one is the first regularly hairy species to be discovered in the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]