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This paper illustrates two species in the lichen-forming family Arthoniaceae from southern China, including a new species of Herpothallon, H. fibrosum L.L. Liu & Lu L. Zhang and a new record of Cryptothecia, C. striata G. Thor for China. Herpothallon fibrosum has fluffy, cylindrical pseudoisidia, like a bundle of fiber, and psoromic acid and confluentic acid are present. Furthermore, the new record of Cryptothecia striata has been identified by morphological, anatomical, chemical, and molecular studies. The systematic position of the two species was clarified by the molecular sequence data from the small subunit of the mitochondrial ribosomal DNA (mtSSU). Detailed taxonomic descriptions, chemical characters, comparisons, and discussion of the characteristics of similar species are provided for the two species; the relationship between Cryptothecia and Herpothallon is also discussed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on morphological, chemical and molecular studies, two new species of the lichen genus Letrouitia are newly described from China. Letrouitia arcuata is distinguished by its arcuate ascospores [8–10(–12)-locular, (28–)33–50(–62.5) × (8–)10–14.5 µm] and L. sinuosa by its ascomata with wavy margins and ascospores with lens-shaped locules [6–8-locular, (18–)19.5–32(–34) × (6.5–)8–14 μm]. In addition, L. magenta is reported for the first time as a new record in China, characterized by small and round ascomata. The descriptions, distribution and phylogenetic analysis of the respective species have been actualized and a key to the Letrouitia species known from China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptothecia and Myriostigma are important elements of crustose lichen communities in tropical to subtropical forests, but little research has been done on these two genera in China. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic approaches to investigate species diversity of Cryptothecia and Myriostigma from Southern China were carried out in this study. We find five species of Cryptothecia and Myriostigma in our study, including three new species (M. flavescens, M. hainana and M. laxipunctata) and two new records (C. bartlettii and C. inexspectata). In addition, a phylogenetic tree based on mtSSU, RPB2 and nLSU illustrates the placement of the five species and supports the delimitation of the three new taxa. Detailed descriptions of morphological, ecological and chemical characteristics and illustrations are provided for every species. A key to all known Chinese Cryptothecia and Myriostigma species is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lichenised fungal genus Pyrenula is a very common crustose lichen element in tropical to subtropical forests, but little research has been done on this genus in China. During our study on Pyrenula in China, based on morphological characteristics, chemical traits and molecular phylogenetic analysis (ITS and nuLSU), three new 3-septate species with red or orange oil in over-mature ascospores were found: Pyrenula inspersa sp. nov., P. thailandicoides sp. nov. and P. apiculata sp. nov. Compared to the known 3-septate species of Pyrenula with red or orange oil, P. inspersa is characterised by the inspersed hamathecium; P. thailandicoides is characterised by the IKI+ red hamathecium and the existence of an unknown lichen substance; and P. apiculata is characterised by the absence of endospore layers in the spore tips and the absence of pseudocyphellae. It is reported for the first time that the presence of a gelatinous halo around the ascospores of Pyrenula is common. A word key for the Pyrenula species with red or orange oil in over-mature ascospores is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type material of twelve species of Usnea related to Asia and South Africa were studied and one species from North America is newly described. Holotype specimens of eight Chinese taxa described in 1975 were synonymized as follows: U. mengyangensis is lectotypified and synonymized with U. aciculifera. Usnea recurvata and U. subrectangulata are synonymized with U. baileyi. Usnea kirinensis is synonymized with U. barbata s.str. Usnea crassiuscula and U. yunnanensis (= U. australis J.D. Zhao et al., nom. illeg. non Fr.) are synonymized with U. bismolliuscula. Usnea iteratocarpa is synonymized with U. cristatula (new to Asia, China). Usnea decumbens is synonymized with U. intumescens (new to Asia, China). Usnea entoviolata and U. roseola are synonymized with U. fragilis (new to Asia, China, India, Japan). The lectotype of Usnea trichoideoides was found to belong to the Usnea pectinata aggr. and consequently U. montis-fuji was resurrected for U. trichodeoides sensu Ohmura. Usnea ceratina and U. trichodeoides are excluded from the Japan lichen flora. Usnea macaronesica a recently described Macaronesian and South American species is synonymized with the Asian taxa U. pycnoclada. Usnea chicitae is described as a new species endemic of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. It is characterized by stipitate efflorescent soralia, a tenuicorticata-type of CMA and the presence of salazinic and psoromic acid in the medulla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the total area of rocky desertification covers 1.01x107 hm², accounting for 22.3% of the karst area. Nowadays, rocky desertification has become one of the three major land degradation problems in our country, which has seriously affected our economic development and environmental governance. Naturally, rock weathering in the karst area is so long that it takes from a few decades to a hundred years to form a centimeter think of red soil. Because the karst area is rich in calcium and barren in soil, ecological restoration of this area is urgent in both rocky desertification control and karst carbon sink. Carbonic Anhydrase (CA), one of the fastest catalyzing enzymes, can promote the weathering of carbonate rocks by accelerating the hydration reaction of CO2, thus providing soil matrices for plant colonization. At the same time, CA can also be used to absorb CO2 in the atmosphere to fix the carbon source, thereby participating in the carbon cycle process of karst dynamic system. The CA-producing microorganisms are considered to have good application prospects in the restoration of degraded karst habitats. However, for the target strains isolated from favorable habitat, their weak adaptability to the extreme environment may constrain them from exerting their expected effects. In order to select the strain with high CA activity in the extremely degraded karst habitat, CA-producing strains were isolated from the samples of severely degraded rocky karst habitats in this study. The study area is located in Hechi City, Guangxi Zhuang (23°41'--25°37' N, 106°34'-109°09' E). It has a subtropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 16.9-21.5 °C. The area is typically developed with karst, scattered with thin soil and highly exposed with rocks. From September to October 2021, four different habitat samples were collected, including lichen in the area with extreme rocky desertification weathered materials under moss, soil under moss, and weathered materials under moss in karst native forest. The source of isolation was a mixture of the four different habitat samples, 1g of each. CA-producing strains were isolated and screened from karst rocky habitats by inoculating suspension of isolation source in calcium carbonate medium with a sprayer. The field emission scanning electron microscope was used for morphological identification of the strain. The physiological and biochemical characteristics of the strain were confirmed by carbohydrate decomposition test, V-P test, methyl red test, citrate utilization test, nitrate reduction test, starch hydrolysis test and contact enzyme test. Strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The CA activity of single strain and mixed strain was determined by electrode method. The sequence alignment was performed in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Database. In MEGA6, Neighbor-Joining method is used to construct the phylogenetic tree. SPSS software was used to analyze whether there were significant differences in CA activity among different strains/microflora. The results show that six CA-producing strains were isolated by calcium carbonate medium, namely, Flavobacterium resistens, Delftia acidovorans, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Pseudomonas oleovorans, Agrobacterium cavarae and Bacillus albus. The CA activity of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila was the highest, up to 4.27 U½mL-1½OD600-1, while that of Bacillus albus was only 0.46 U½mL-1½OD600-1, which indicated that although CA commonly existed in prokaryotes, the activity of different species of bacteria varied greatly. Mixed culturing of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila whose CA activity is high with other strains led to a decrease in CA activity, indicating the great potential application of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila in the extremely oligotrophic environment. The results provide a new bacterial source for ecological restoration of extremely degraded karst habitats. However, all the CA activity decreased when the isolated Stenotrophomonas rhizophila strain N6 with high CA activity is mixed with other 5 strains. Because of the complex living environment, the competition of indigenous microbial community will reduce the survival efficiency of the added microorganisms, make it difficult to form a stable community structure, and then reduce the repair effect. In restoration of degraded karst habitat, whether there is a kind of dominant bacteria that is symbiotic with Stenotrophomonas rhizophila N6 to jointly promote carbonate dissolution is a research focus. Therefore, future studies should identify the core species that drive the restoration of degraded habitats, and explore the relationship between the isolated and culturable CA dominant bacteria and the core species. These study focuses will promote the research and development of biological fertilizer for the rapid restoration of degraded karst habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lichenized fungal genus Fissurina with mostly slit-like lirellae, belongs to Graphidaceae and is mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. A total of 17 Fissurina species have been reported from China. During a survey of the lichen diversity of southern China, a new species Fissurina wuyinensis K.J. Shi, Z.F. Jia and X. Zhao, sp. nov. was found, which is characterized by a corticolous thallus without detected secondary substances, uncarbonized lirellae, and an exposed disc with pruina, muriform and amyloid ascospores. Furthermore, two new records of F. pseudostromatica, F. subcomparimuralis have been identified by morphological, anatomical, chemical and molecular studies. Phylogenetic analyses of three loci (ITS, nuLSU and mtSSU) supported the position of these species within Fissurina. Detailed morphological descriptions as well as high-resolution photographs of the morphology and anatomy of the three species are provided, as well as a comparison and discussion of the characteristics of similar species. The studied specimens were deposited in the Fungarium of the College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University (LCUF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to provide data for lichenologists studying taxonomy, Chaenothecopsis xishuiensis is supported and proposed as a new species from China based on phenotypic, molecular, and metabolite data. It is characterised by leprose thallus, single, conical to hemispherical apothecia, nonbranching stipe, cylindrical, eight-spored asci, and nonseptate and brown spores, and this lichenised fungus contains atranorin and zeorin in the thallus. In addition, Lecanora pseudargentata is reported for the first time as a new record from China. This species is characterised by red-brown to dark brown apothecial discs, eight-spored asci, nonseptate, hyaline spores, and the presence of atranorin and gangaleoidin. The biological activity of its lichen substances is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four species of Porpidia are newly reported from China, including one species new to science (Porpidia crystallina) and three records (Porpidia umbonifera , P. seakensis and P. cf. contraponenda) new to China. Porpidia crystallina is characterized by a macrocarpa -type exciple containing crystals, a Cinereorufa-green epihymenium, large ascospores and a lack of secondary metabolites. Morpho-anatomical, chemical and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to elucidate the placement of the species and to support the delimitation of the new taxon. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, ecological and chemical characters, and illustrations are provided for each species. A key to all known Chinese Porpidia species is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new lichen species, Lecanora zeorina Li J. Li & Printzen is described here from the south-west of China. Lecanora zeorina is characterized by its somewhat areolate-squamulose thallus, zeorine to lecanorine apothecia, an epihymenium without crystals around expanded paraphyses tips, an amphithecium with large calcium oxalate crystals and the production of atranorin. A new combination, Lecanora crystalliniformis (B.G. Lee & Hur) Li J. Li & Printzen, is based on Protoparmeliopsis crystalliniformis B.G. Lee & Hur, which was described as a new species from South Korea. Collections from China are almost identical in morphology and chemistry, and are phylogenetically closely related. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on ITS and mtSSU suggest that these two lecanoroid species belong in Lecanora s. str. where they form a sister group to sorediate species such as L. barkmaniana Aptroot & Herk and L. variolascens Nyl. Detailed descriptions, discussions, distributions and phylogenetic trees, based on multiple collections, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichenicolous fungi are parasites of lichens. Many of these fungi are referred to as "black fungi". A diversity of these black fungi include species that are pathogenic to humans and plants. A majority of black fungi reside in the phylum Ascomycota within the sub-classes Chaetothyriomycetidae and Dothideomycetidae. To explore the diversity of lichenicolous "black fungi" associated with lichens in China, we conducted several field surveys in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province between 2019 and 2020. We recovered 1,587 fungal isolates from the lichens collected during these surveys. During the preliminary identification of these isolates using the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), and small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (SSU), we identified 15 fungal isolates from the genus Cladophialophora. However, these isolates had low sequence similarities with all known species from the genus. Therefore, we amplified additional gene regions, such as, translation elongation factor (TEF) and partial β-tubulin gene (TUB), and constructed a multi-gene phylogeny using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference. In our datasets, we included type sequences where available for all Cladophialophora species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that none of the 15 isolates belonged to any of the previously described species in the genus. Therefore, using both morphological and molecular data, we classified these 15 isolates as nine new species within the genus Cladophialophora: C. flavoparmeliae, C. guttulate, C. heterodermiae, C. holosericea, C. lichenis, C. moniliformis, C. mongoliae, C. olivacea, and C. yunnanensis. The outcome from this study shows that lichens are an important refugia for black lichenicolous fungi, such as those from Chaetothyriales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Fouragea gyrophorica is described from China. It is most similar to F. vegae, but differs by its sparsely to densely branched apothecia, and it often has an obvious prothallus, and the presence of gyrophoric acid detected by TLC. This is the first report that Fouragea contains lichen substances. An analysis of its relationships based on molecular phylogeny is given. A world key to the species of Fouragea is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal genus Microcera consists of species mostly occurring as parasites of scale insects, but are also commonly isolated from soil or lichens. In the present study, we surveyed the diversity and assess the taxonomy of entomopathogenic fungi in Sichuan Province, China. Two new species of Microcera, viz. M. chrysomphaludis and M. pseudaulacaspidis, were isolated from scale insects colonising walnut (Juglans regia). Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of ITS, LSU, tef1-a, rpb1, rpb2, acl1, act, tub2, cmdA and his3 sequence data provide evidence for the validity of the two species and their placement in Nectriaceae (Hypocreales). Microcera pseudaulacaspidis primarily differs from similar species by having more septate and smaller cylindrical macroconidia, as well as DNA sequence data. Meanwhile, Microcera chrysomphaludis has elliptical, one-septate ascospores with acute ends and cylindrical, slightly curved with 4-6 septate macroconidia up to 78 µm long. Morphological descriptions with illustrations of the novel species and DNA-based phylogeny generated from analyses of multigene dataset are also provided to better understand species relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi from the Teratosphaeriaceae (Mycosphaerellales; Dothideomycetes; Ascomycota) have a wide range of lifestyles. Among these are a few species that are endolichenic fungi. However, the known diversity of endolichenic fungi from Teratosphaeriaceae is far less understood compared to other lineages of Ascomycota. We conducted five surveys from 2020 to 2021 in Yunnan Province of China, to explore the biodiversity of endolichenic fungi. During these surveys, we collected multiple samples of 38 lichen species. We recovered a total of 205 fungal isolates representing 127 species from the medullary tissues of these lichens. Most of these isolates were from Ascomycota (118 species), and the remaining were from Basidiomycota (8 species) and Mucoromycota (1 species). These endolichenic fungi represented a wide variety of guilds, including saprophytes, plant pathogens, human pathogens, as well as entomopathogenic, endolichenic, and symbiotic fungi. Morphological and molecular data indicated that 16 of the 206 fungal isolates belonged to the family Teratosphaeriaceae. Among these were six isolates that had a low sequence similarity with any of the previously described species of Teratosphaeriaceae. For these six isolates, we amplified additional gene regions and conducted phylogenetic analyses. In both single gene and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses using ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB2, TEF1, ACT, and CAL data, these six isolates emerged as a monophyletic lineage within the family Teratosphaeriaceae and sister to a clade that included fungi from the genera Acidiella and Xenopenidiella. The analyses also indicated that these six isolates represented four species. Therefore, we established a new genus, Intumescentia gen. nov., to describe these species as Intumescentia ceratinae, I. tinctorum, I. pseudolivetorum, and I. vitii. These four species are the first endolichenic fungi representing Teratosphaeriaceae from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomonitoring of atmospheric element deposition often uses a single composite sample to test the local mean lichen element concentrations, so as to reduce the expenditure. However, further study is needed to test the composite sample representativeness on the mean element concentration (CSRMC) and its lichen species specificity and element specificity. In this study, we compare the concentration differences of 55 elements between three lichens (Evernia mesomorpha Nyl., EVM; Usnea aciculifera Vain., UAC; Ramalina sinensis Jatta., RSI) from a remote forest site of Hebei, northern China. The results show that the differences of element concentrations between lichens have strong element specificity. Composite samples can well represent the local mean element concentrations in three lichens. CSRMC is the highest in RSI in comparison with EVM and UAC. It is usually ranking 1 for most elements in three lichens except Al, Ca, Hg, P and Si. Therefore, when we use the composite samples with a small sample size for lichen biomonitoring, it is necessary to carefully select lichen species and the number of composite samples according to the CSRMC of the elements of interest. This method is especially suitable for sites with small spatial heterogeneity in atmospheric element depositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The people of the Pan-Himalayan region are among the most isolated and economically disadvantaged populations worldwide. The Sherpa people, located along the China and Nepal border, rely largely on the natural environment to access essential healthcare services. The region's ongoing economic and social developments threaten indigenous medicinal practices and biodiversity. However, there has been limited comprehensive investigation and documentation of traditional medicine and its associated knowledge in this region. The aims are to document the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Sherpa community, assess the conservation status of medicinal plants, and explore the historical factors that have influenced their traditional medicine practices. Semi-structured interviews with 78 Sherpa people were conducted in Chenthang Town, Xizang, China. Use reports (URs) was used to determine the most frequently mentioned medicinal plants or a specific ailment or disease category. The International Classification of Primary Care-2nd edition (ICPC-2) was used to transform the original records into an internationally unified classification. A total of 51 plant species, one fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H.Sung, J.M.Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora), two lichens (Flavopunctelia soredica (Nyl.) Hale and Parmotrema cetratum (Ach.) Hale), and four minerals were documented, resulting in 824 URs. Ranunculaceae had the most species (5 spp.). The most commonly used method for preparing medicinal substances was decoction (23 species, 40%). Oral application was the preferred route of administration for 81% (41 medicinal substances). Forty-four ailments across 14 ICPC-2 disease categories were documented. Respiratory (320 URs) and digestive (122 URs) categories are among the most common diseases. The top-five ailments were influenza (18 substances; URs = 227), injury blood/lymph/spleen other (11 substances; URs = 66), cough (10 substances; URs = 62), headache (7 substances; URs = 63), and abdominal pain/cramps general (6 substances; URs = 37). The most frequently reported medicinal substances were Panax pseudoginseng Wall. (URs = 128) and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong (URs = 79). Two special therapies (hot spring therapy and dietary therapy) were described. In-depth ethnographic information on the livelihood and exchange history of Sherpa people were documented. A total of 25 species were sold, of which four species were listed as VU in the IUCN Red List (2023–1), six species were listed as VU, four species were NT, and one species was EN in the China Biodiversity Red list 2021. This study provides the first comprehensive documentation of the 58 traditional medicine substances and two special therapies (hot spring therapy and dietary therapy) used by the Sherpa people in Chenthang. Sherpa's medicinal knowledge has been shaped by historical interactions and contemporary trade practices. To better protect the biocultural diversity of the Himalayan region, priority should be given to the rapid assessment of medicinal plants, knowledge, and use status in this area. [Display omitted] • A total of 78 informants mentioned 58 medicinal substances for treating 14 diseases categories. • Two special therapies (hot spring therapy and dietary therapy) were documented. • Panax pseudoginseng Wall. and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong were the most used medicine substances. • Forty-six percent of species were sold, with four listed as threatened on the 2023-1 IUCN Red List. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to morphological and molecular data, a new species of Lecidea s. str., Lecidea glacierensis , is described from Xinjiang Province, China. It is distinctive due to its well-developed, regularly areolate to bullate thallus, and its habitat on calciferous rocks. This species was collected mostly in the area of Tianshan No.1 Glacier, which is located at an elevation of 3454 m and c. 118 km south-west of Urumqi and is considered to be one of the most important dryland glacier areas in Asia. An illustration and detailed description of the taxon are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper reports on two new species and two new records of the lichen-forming fungal genus Peltula Nyl., highlighting progress in our investigation of Chinese Peltula spp. The external morphology, anatomy, and molecular systematics were comprehensively analyzed to support the species delimitation. The results contribute to the knowledge of species diversity and geographical distributions of Peltula species in China. In this study, two new species, Peltula confusa Q.X. Yang & X.L. Wei, sp. nov., growing in a dry microenvironment within a semi-humid area, and Peltula subpatellata Q.X. Yang & X.L. Wei, sp. nov., occurring in arid and semi-arid regions, are described. In addition, two species, P. polyspora (Tuck.) Wetmore and P. obscuratula (Nyl.) Poelt ex Egea, are recorded for the first time in China. All four species are described based on morphological, anatomical and molecular data. Peltula confusa is characterized by a lighter, brighter, and more yellowish upper surface than other species of this genus, with discs concentrated in the central part of squamules, and a thick lower cortex. Peltula subpatellata can be distinguished from P. patellata (Bagl.) Swinscow & Krog by its non-thickened and sometimes darkened margins and sometimes the presence of peltate squamules. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences of four loci (ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, and RPB2) demonstrates the placement of these species within Peltula, and supports current species delimitations. We suggest that the growth substrate should be considered as an additional characteristic for species delimitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Omphalina is an ideal genus for studying the evolutionary mechanism of lichenization. Based on molecular phylogeny using ITS and nuLSU sequences by means of Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses and morphological examination, combining the existence of green algae in basidiomata stipe and a Botrydina-type vegetative thallus, we described a bryophilous new basidiolichen species, Omphalina licheniformis, from a residential area of Jiangxi Province, China. This finding of unusual new basidiolichen species updated our understanding of the delimitation of Omphalina, indicating that both non-lichen-forming and lichen-forming fungal species are included simultaneously. The presence of algal cells in the basidiomata should receive more attention, as this would be helpful to distinguish more potential basidiolichens and explore the cryptic species diversity. This work provides new insights and evidence for understanding the significance of lichenization during the evolution of Agaricomycetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qaidam Basin is the highest and one of the largest and driest deserts on Earth. It is considered a mars analog area in China. In contrast to numerous studies concerning its geology, geophysical, and chemistry, relatively few studies have reported microbial diversity and distribution in this area. Here, we investigated culturable yeast diversity in the northeast Qaidam Basin. A total of 194 yeast strains were isolated, and 12 genera and 21 species were identified, among which 19 were basidiomycetous yeasts. Naganishia albida, N. adeliensis, and Filobasidium magnum were the three most dominant species and were distributed in thirteen samples from eight locations. Five new species (Filobasidium chaidanensis, Kondoa globosum, Symmetrospora salmoneus, Teunia nitrariae, and Vishniacozyma pseudodimennae) were found and described based on ITS and D1D2 gene loci together with phenotypic characteristics and physiochemical analysis. Representative strains from each species were chosen for the salt-tolerant test, in which species showed different responses to different levels of NaCl concentrations. Further, the strain from soil can adapt well to the higher salt stress compared to those from plants or lichens. Our study represents the first report of the yeast diversity in the Qaidam Basin, including five new species, and also provides further information on the halotolerance of yeasts from the saline environment in mars analog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many mosses and lichens thrive in high-elevation subalpine forests and even become dominant species on the forest floor. Although they play an irreplaceable ecological role in the forest, less is known about their eco-physiological status, and how their photosynthesis-related functional traits differ from those of co-occurring vascular plants. We determined the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, tissue mass per area, chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic light–response curves of three lichens, three mosses and four vascular plants in a subalpine forest in the eastern Tibetan Plateau of China. Trait values were compared among and within each group. The lichens possessed a higher nitrogen concentration than that of mosses. In addition, the two poikilohydric groups exhibited lower concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll, light-saturated assimilation rates and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiencies, and higher light compensation points than those of vascular plant leaves. Furthermore, variations in photosynthesis-related traits for lichen species reflect their different adaptation strategies to their corresponding environments. In contrast, the differences were weak among the three forest-floor mosses and the three herb species. These results demonstrate that the high abundance of understory lichens and mosses in the high-elevation subalpine forest cannot be explained by the photosynthesis-related traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verrucariaceae is the third-largest lichen family with high species diversity. However, this diversity has not been well-explored in China. We carried out a wide-scale field investigation in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China from 2017 to 2021. A large number of lichen groups, especially those commonly distributed in deserts, were collected. Based on molecular phylogeny using ITS and nuLSU sequences by Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses, combining morphological characters, seven taxa of catapyrenioid lichens in Verricariaceae were found in this study, including one genus (Clavascidium) and one species (Clavascidium lacinulatum) new to China; one genus (Placidium) new to the mainland of China; and four species (Clavascidium sinense, Placidium nitidulum, Placidium nigrum, and Placidium varium) new to science. It enriched our understanding of the high species diversity in Verrucariaceae and the lichen flora of Chinese arid and semi-arid deserts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hypolithic communities, which occupy highly specialised microhabitats beneath translucent rocks in desert and arid environments, have assembly mechanisms and ecosystem functions are not fully understood. Thus, in this study, we aimed to examine the microbial community structure, assembly, and function of light-accessible (under quartz, calcite, and hypolithic lichen-dominated biocrusts) and light-inaccessible microhabitats (under basalt and adjacent soil) in the Qaidam Desert, China. The results showed that hypolithic communities have different characteristics compared with microbial communities of light-inaccessible microhabitats. Notably, hypolithic bacterial communities were dominated by Cyanobacteria, whereas light-inaccessible microhabitats showed a predominance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Although the class Dothideomycetes (phylum: Ascomycota) dominated the fungal communities between the two microhabitat types, Sordariomycetes were more prevalent in light-accessible microhabitats. Network and robustness analyses showed that hypolithic communities were less complex and more resilient than microbial communities in light-inaccessible microhabitats. Our results indicated that deterministic processes, specifically homogeneous selection, govern the establishment of bacterial and fungal communities in light-accessible and light-inaccessible microhabitats. The hypolithic community showed an increased frequency of phylotypes that exhibited increased tolerance to functional stress response pathways. In contrast to light-inaccessible microhabitats, light-accessible microhabitats showed a slight decrease and a notable increase in the prevalence of carbon fixation pathways in prokaryotes and carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, respectively. For fungi, light-accessible microhabitats enriched saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal groups. These results highlight the importance of complex and diverse microhabitats in desert regions, which serve as vital shelters for microbes. Combining future research on interactions between hypolithic communities and environments may enhance our current understanding of their pivotal roles in sustaining desert ecosystems. This knowledge then be applied to design and implement informed conservation efforts to preserve these unique rock-associated microhabitats in desert ecosystems. [Display omitted] • Different microbial communities colonize different rock-associated microhabitats in the Qaidam Desert. • Cyanobacteria thrive beneath translucent rocks. • Translucency is a key driver of the structure and function of hypolithic community. • The assembly of hypolithic community is primarily dominated by homogeneous selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two corticolous species of Ramalina are described as new to science from China. Ramalina ailaoshanensis is described from Mt. Ailaoshan in southwest China. It is characterized by dichotomous narrow branches with sparse raised or tuberculate pseudocyphellae, without warts, absence of chrondroid tissue in the cortex, the tips of branchlets becoming thin, terete and curled backwards, and lacking soredia and isidia. Ramalina qinlingensis is described from Mt. Qinling in northwest China. It is characterized by broad branches with distinct pseudocyphellae, many warts and branchlets, the discontinuous chrondroid tissue in the cortex, and lacking soredia and isidia. Both species were recovered as monophyletic and well-supported in a maximum-likelihood phylogeny inferred from ITS sequence data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological, anatomical and chemical characters were used in this research. Two Lichinaceae species new to China, Heppia despreauxii and Lichinella myriospora, were discovered during a taxonomical study of the macrolichens from Shandong Province. Heppia despreauxii, belonging to the genus Heppia, grows on well,lit bare soil in open situations, and is characterized by its absence of lower cortex and hymenium IKI+ blue, Lichinella myriospora, belonging to the genus Lichinella, occurs on calcareous rock in arid sites, and is characterized by its hymenium IKI+ wine,red turning blue. Descriptions in detail, comments with similar species, and morphological photographs of these two species are provided. The materials of Heppia solorinoides, reported from China by other lichenologists, lack apothecia, and the morphological and anatomical characters of its apothecia are described according to the materials collected and examined by us. Both genera Heppia and Lichinella are reported for the first time from Shandong Province. All these results provide basic data information for the taxonomy of the family Lichinaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study of genus Haematomma from China was based on morphological, chemical and ecological charactersistics. More than 200 lichen specimens of Haematomma from China were studied. Haematomma muriformis R. Tang & Z. J. Ren is described as a new species. It is characterized by large muriform ascospores(75-87.5×12.5-20 μm)and the production of atranorin, haematommone and arthothelin. While, Haematomma matogrossense Kalb & Staiger is found from China for the first time. Based on detailed studies, morpholegical and anatomical photos and a key to all known Chinese Haematomma species are provided. The present study is very important for clarifing the species composition and local distribution of lichens of Haematomma in China and provides the basic information for the Lichen Flora of China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A novel bacterial strain, designated YIM 132548 T, was isolated from Lepraria sp. lichen collected from Yunnan province, south-west PR China. The organism was Gram-stain negative, aerobic and methylotrophic. The cell was catalase positive and oxidase negative, asporogenous, rod-shaped and motile with three polar flagella. The strain could grow at 15–30 °C (optimum, 20 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and does not grow in the presence of NaCl. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIM 132548 T showed high levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Methylobacterium soli YIM 48816 T (97.6%) and Methylobacterium durans NBRC 112876 T (97.3%), less than 97.0% with other validly named type strains of the genus Methylobacterium. Ubiquinone Q-10 was the predominant respiratory ubiquinone. The predominant cellular fatty acid was identified as summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. The DNA G + C content of the draft genome sequence is 70.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridizations values of strain YIM 132548 T with M. soli YIM 48816 T and M. durans NBRC 112876 T were 87.0% and 82.0%, 40.6% and 27.2% based on draft genome sequences, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genomic data, strain YIM 132548 T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Methylobacterium, for which the name Methylobacterium planium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 132548 T (= CGMCC 1.17323 T = NBRC 114056 T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The lichen Usnea articulata collected from an unpolluted area was exposed for 6 months at 26 sites for the sample chosenusing a stratified random design, and the content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, and Zn, was assessed using ICP-MS. The health risk for both adults and children was then calculated using the PTEs concentrations. The results showed that despite the hostile urban conditions, transplanted lichens depicted clear deposition patterns of airborne PTEs, mostly associated with industrial sites, where As and other elements showed remarkably high values. The cumulative hazard index was below the risk threshold, both for adults and children. For the entire population (particularly children) residing in areas surrounding industrial sites, As and Cr appeared to be potentially carcinogenic elements.

This study presents the status and trends of long-term monitoring of the elemental concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in Hylocomium splendens moss tissue in Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), Alaska, adjacent to the Red Dog Mine haul road. Spatial patterns of the deposition of these metals were re-assessed for the period from 2006-2017 following an identical study that assessed trends between 2001-2006. In contrast to the widespread and steep declines in Zn and Pb levels throughout most of the study area between 2001-2006, this study showed more mixed results for 2006-2017. At distances within 100 m of the haul road, only Pb decreased between 2006-2017. At distances between 100-5,000 m, however, both Zn and Cd decreased between 2006-2017, with high probabilities of decrease and percent decreases of 11-20% and 46-52% respectively. Lead did not decrease in any of the more distant areas. Following earlier work on lichen species richness in the study area, it appears that 2017 Zn levels are approaching those associated with "background" lichen species richness throughout a relatively large proportion of the study area at least 2,000 m from the haul road and several km from the port site. The findings in this study may be used to plan additional mitigation measures to reduce Zn deposition related to impacts on lichen communities., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.)

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are considered "desert ecosystem engineers" because they play a vital role in the restoration and stability maintenance of deserts, including those cold sandy land ecosystems at high latitudes, which are especially understudied. Microorganisms participate in the formation and succession of biocrusts, contributing to soil properties' improvement and the stability of soil aggregates, and thus vegetation development. Accordingly, understanding the composition and successional characteristics of microorganisms is a prerequisite for analyzing the ecological functions of biocrusts and related applications. Here, the Hulun Buir Sandy Land region in northeastern China-lying at the highest latitude of any sandy land in the country-was selected for study. Through a field investigation and next-generation sequencing (Illumina MiSeq PE300 Platform), our goal was to assess the shifts in diversity and community composition of soil bacteria and fungi across different stages during the succession of biocrusts in this region, and to uncover the main factors involved in shaping their soil microbial community. The results revealed that the nutrient enrichment capacity of biocrusts for available nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total content of water-soluble salt, available potassium, soil organic matter, and available phosphorus was progressively enhanced by the succession of cyanobacterial crusts to lichen crusts and then to moss crusts. In tandem, soil bacterial diversity increased as biocrust succession proceeded but fungal diversity decreased. A total of 32 bacterial phyla and 11 fungal phyla were identified, these also known to occur in other desert ecosystems. Among those taxa, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria significantly increased and decreased, respectively, along the cyanobacterial crust-lichen-moss crust successional gradient. However, for Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria their changed relative abundance was significantly hump-shaped, increasing in the shift from cyanobacterial crust to lichen crust, and then decreasing as lichen crust shifted to moss crust. In this process, the improved soil properties effectively enhanced soil bacterial and fungal community composition. Altogether, these findings broaden our understanding about how soil microbial properties can change during the succession of biocrusts in high-latitude, cold sandy land ecosystems., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Two new species of the lichen genus Placolecis are discovered in China, namely P. kunmingensis An. C. Yin & Li S. Wang and P. sublaevis An. C. Yin & Li S. Wang. The new combination P. loekoesiana (S.Y. Kondr., Farkas, J.J. Woo & Hur) An. C. Yin is proposed. Placolecis kunmingensis is characterized by having simple, spherical or ellipsoid, hyaline spores, and pear-shaped pycnidia; while P. sublaevis can be distinguished by its thallus forming larger aggregations with slightly flattened lobes at the thallus margin, and urn-shaped pycnidia. Descriptions, a phylogenetic tree and a key are provided for all the known Placolecis species in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of our ongoing research on Peltigera , we recognize a morphologically and phylogenetically distinct new species, Peltigera shennongjiana L. F. Han & S. Y. Guo, from the Shennongjia region of Central China. It is distinguished from other members of the P. canina -group by the presence of abundant phyllidia and flat, branched lobules along the margin or laminal cracks, short lobes, and a pruinose, usually greyish upper surface. The various populations sampled share identical ITS nr DNA sequences, of which the ITS2 regions are characterized by a unique secondary structure. Furthermore, we provide a detailed comparison of the characteristics of P. shennongjiana with morphologically similar species and a key to Peltigera species reported from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Highlights from the article: The N addition also led to the N:P ratios of five lichens Ances between N and phosphorus (P), or P limitation induced Variations in tissue N and P content, N:P ratios, and PME Figure 2: effects of field N addition on the N and P content in five.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Combined quantitative and qualitative environmental product trade studies, undertaken in the same location over time, are instrumental in identifying plant species with commercial demand and explaining what drives temporal changes. Yet such dynamic studies are rare, including for Himalayan medicinal plants that have been large-scale traded for millennia. Aim of the study To (i) investigate changes in medicinal plant trade in the past 17 years, and (ii) identify the main factors driving changes, using a study of Darchula District in far-western Nepal. Materials and methods Medicinal plant production network data were collected from March to August 2016, for the fiscal year 2014–15, for Darchula District in far-western Nepal through 167 quantitative (58 harvesters, 38 sub-local traders, 25 local traders, 25 central wholesalers, and 21 regional wholesalers), 61 qualitative (15 sub-local traders, 19 local traders, 15 central wholesalers, and 12 regional wholesalers) interviews, and four focus group discussions. Results were compared to previously unpublished similar data for Darchula District for the year 1997–98, using quantitative and qualitative interviews with 10 local traders, 20 central wholesalers, and 53 regional wholesalers. Data analysis was guided by an analytical framework derived from Global Production Network theory. Quantitative data were used to estimate changes in 12 indicators while the qualitative information allowed identification of the factors driving observed changes in the indicators. Results The volume of medicinal plants traded from Darchula District in the fiscal year 2014–15 was 401 t with a harvester value of USD 5.5 million, representing a 2.3 fold increase in volume and 17.2 fold increase in value compared to 1997–98. Trade in the two observation years comprised 30 air-dried plant products (from 28 identified species as well as lichens and a mineral substance); 12 products were traded in both periods, while seven disappeared, and 11 new products entered the trade. The number of traders increased from 10 to 63, mainly due to the emergence of a single high value product yarsagumba ( Ophiocordyceps sinensis ), a fungus-caterpillar complex which alone contributed 85% of total trade value. Over the observed time period, harvesters and traders increased their margins at the cost of central wholesalers, indicating that market changes favoured lower tier actors, eroding the previously identified passive central wholesaler oligopsony in Nepal. Important drivers of market changes are: (i) rising incomes in China and India, expressed through demand for new products and increasing per unit prices for a range of products, (ii) expanding infrastructure (roads and telecommunications) towards and into harvesting sites, reducing transport costs and increasing market efficiency, and (iii) government interventions, causing disappearance of some species from trade. These market changes also led to increased cultivation at lower altitudes, and a sharp increase in the number of processor industries in Nepal. Conclusion Trade in medicinal plant products in far-western Nepal in the past two decades has increased substantially, doubling in volume and increasing 17 fold in value. There is a backbone of constantly traded species but also species that disappear from trade and new species that enter. Changes favour harvesters and traders at the benefit of central wholesalers whose previous passive oligopsony is disappearing. The three main drivers of change are rising incomes in China and India, expanding infrastructure, and government interventions in Nepal. Commercial medicinal plant resources are a substantial asset that appears to offer opportunities for economic development in far-western Nepal. The trade, however, may pose sustainability threats that are best understood by combining species-level biophysical, trade, and consumer studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lichen genus Ochrolechia found in China is revised. Twenty taxa are accepted in the genus, including four described as new to science: Ochrolechia alticola, differing from O. mexicana by the larger ascospores and the absence of lichexanthone, and from O. africana by the C+ red reaction of the apothecial margin cortex, the absence of 5-O-methylhiascic acid, and its alpine habitat; O. lijiangensis, differing from O. longispora by the larger apothecia and smaller ascospores, and by the presence of an additional undetermined fatty acid; O. longispora, differing from O. trochophora by the larger ascospores and the presence of two fatty acids; and O. rugomarginata, differing from O. pallescens in the minutely verruculose margins of the mature apothecia, the absence of variolaric acid and the C+ red thallus cortex, and from O. trochophora var. trochophora by the presence of alectoronic acid in the apothecial medulla, the coarsely pruinose disc and a preference for the bark of coniferous trees. Four new taxa are reported for China: Ochrolechia arborea, O. mahluensis, O. szatalaënsis and O. trochophora var. pruinirosella. An identification key to all taxa in the genus known from China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogeny of Lecidella species is studied, based on a 7-locus data set using ML and Bayesian analyses. Phylogenetic relationships among 43 individuals representing 11 Lecidella species, mainly from mainland China, were included in the analyses and phenotypical characters studied and mapped onto the phylogeny. The Lecidella species fall into three major clades, which are proposed here as three informal groups–Lecidella stigmatea group, L. elaeochroma group and L. enteroleucella group, each of them strongly supported. Our phylogenetic analyses support traditional species delimitation based on morphological and chemical traits in most but not all cases. Individuals considered as belonging to the same species based on phenotypic characters were found to be paraphyletic, indicating that cryptic species might be hidden under these names (e.g. L. carpathica and L. effugiens). Potentially undescribed species were found within the phenotypically circumscribed species L. elaeochroma and L. stigmatea. Additional sampling across a broader taxonomic and geographic scale will be crucial to fully resolving the taxonomy in this cosmopolitan genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of our studies on the lichen family Megasporaceae, three species new to China, Aspicilia cupulifera (H.Magn.) Oxner, A. narssaquensis (Lynge) J. W. Thomson and Circinaria arida Owe-Larss., A. Nordin & Tibell are described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dryland ecosystems are often nitrogen-limited, and small nitrogen inputs may produce large responses to dryland ecological processes, such as gaseous nitrogen emission. The effect of increased anthropogenic nitrogen deposition on N 2 O and NO emissions in desert ecosystems is unclear, especially in non-growing seasons when the surface is covered with snow. In this study, nitrogen applications were performed on biological soil crusts (lichen crust and moss crust, bare sand for control) in the Gurbantunggut Desert, Northwest China. We measured the fluxes of N 2 O and NO and related nitrogen cycle functional gene abundances in winter for three-years period. Nitrogen addition significantly affected N 2 O emissions and increased the abundances of key functional gene for nitrogen cycle, while it only slightly influenced NO emissions. These effects of nitrogen addition depended on composition of biological soil crusts. For bare sand and lichen crust, nitrogen addition significantly increased N 2 O emissions, whereas for moss crust, only a negligible effect was observed. Meanwhile, significant differences in nitrogen cycle functional gene abundances were found among different composition of biological soil crusts. Abundance of amoA, narG, and nosZ genes were highly related to N 2 O and NO emissions. Thus, our results indicate that gaseous nitrogen emissions were generally increased by nitrogen addition through their effects on related functional microbial groups. The effects were regulated by composition of biological soil crusts which can buffer the effects of increasing nitrogen addition during winter., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The terricolous lichen Peltigera wulingensis sp. nov. is described from Wuling Mountain, North China. It can be distinguished from other members of the P. rufescens group by its phyllidia along the margin or laminal cracks, scabrose upper surface, lobe extremities with tufts of tiny grey-whitish to pale brown hairs, and its slender, scattered and simple rhizines. Comparisons of the ITS sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat tandem support the taxonomic distinctness of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, seven species of the lichen genus Platygramme are reported from China. Two of these, Platygramme pudica and P. platyloma, are new to China and two species, Platygramme hainanensis and P. lueckingii, both from a tropical rain forest in Hainan Island, are described as new to science. The new species belong to a group within Platygramme, which is characterized by concealed discs, while the type species, P. caesiopruinosa, and some others have widely open discs. Descriptions and the known distribution of each species are given and a working key to the Chinese species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To explore the pathological characteristics and significance of RET proto-oncogene screening in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis (CLA)., Methods: Clinical data of 51 members from 7 unrelated pedigrees of MEN2A-CLA were collected. Systemic clinical investigations including biochemical testing, imaging examination, germline RET variant screening and histopathological examination were carried out., Results: RET gene variants were detected in 28 patients with MEN2A (C634G/F/R/S/W and C611Y) including 12 males and 16 females, with the mean age of diagnosis being (41.1 ± 18.3) years old, which were consistent with their clinical manifestations. The incidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma (PHEO), hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) and CLA among 28 MEN2A patients were 89.3%, 28.6%, 7.1% and 28.6%, respectively. Comparison of the incidence of MTC/PHEO/HPTH and CLA between C611Y and C634G/F/R/S/W, only PHEO and CLA in C611Y were lower than those in C634G/F/R/S/W (P < 0.05; P < 0.05). Among 8 patients with CLA, the male to female ratio was 2 : 6. The clinical features included pruritus in the interscapular region and presence of dry, thickened, scaly, brown pigment, clustered or desquamate-like plaques. The mean onset age of CLA [(18.4 ± 4.6) years] versus the mean age at diagnosis of CLA or MEN2A were significantly different (P < 0.001; P < 0.001)., Conclusion: MEN2A-CLA may be the early clinical manifestation of MEN2A and most frequently occurred along with RET-C634 variant. To facilitate the recognition of MEN2A-CLA, to combine family investigation and screening of RET variant are helpful for early diagnosis and standardized treatment, which can improve the long-term outcome of MEN2A-specific tumors.

Molecular studies have revealed the presence of yet another species in the Bryoria bicolor complex in China, which confirms that the mountains of SE Asia to be an evolutionary centre for Bryoria sect. Divaricatae. The new species B. rigida is formally described. It is characterized by a stiff and coarse thallus, which contains fumarprotocetraric acid and often protocetraric acid as the main substances. A key to the divaricate species of Bryoria in the Himalayan region is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic study of the genus Porpidia in western China revealed two species hitherto unknown to science, Porpidia squamosa and P. shangrila, along with three new records for the country: P. flavicunda, P. soredizodes and P. thomsonii. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, ecological and chemical characters, and illustrations are provided for the new taxa, and brief taxonomic descriptions provided for the newly reported taxa. A key to all known Chinese Porpidia species is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]