(1138) Proposal to conserve Lichen juniperinus L. with a conserved type (Fungi)

Abstract

The name Vulpicida juniperinus (L.) J.-E. Mattsson & M. J. Lai is based on Lichen juniperinus L. The lectotype (herb. Linnaeus No. 1273.128, LINN) of this name, acceptably designated by Howe (in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 39: 201. 1912), belongs to the taxon currently known as V. tubulosus (Schaer.) J.-E. Mattsson & M. J. Lai (in Mycotaxon 46: 428. 1993; Opera Bot. 119: 35-37. 1993). The purpose of this proposal is to conserve the name in its usual sense. The protologue of Lichen juniperinus included the phrase names earlier used by Linnaeus (Fl. Lapp.: 344. 1737; Fl. Suec.: 353. 1745) together with a brief ecological note and three diagnostic features for the species: Habitat in Europae juniperetis. Differt a L. parietino colore pallide flavo; foliis laxis erectiusculis; peltis disco brunneis. Thus, the last mentioned character indicates that Linnaeus had at least some fertile material at his disposal when he wrote the diagnosis. Since that time, Lichen juniperinus (or Cetraria juniperina (L.) Ach., Methodus: 298. 1803) consistently has been used for a taxon occurring in boreal to arctic-alpine regions of the northern hemisphere, e.g.: Poelt, Best.-Schl. Eur. Flecht.: 205. 1969; Krog & al., Lavflora: 124. 1980; Moberg & Holmasen, Lavar: 76. 1982; Santesson, Lich. Lich. Fungi Sweden Norway: 237. 1993; and Mattsson in Opera Bot. 119: 35. There is no name in current use for Vulpicida tubulosus. This taxon has been called (1) Cetraria tilesii Ach. by Poelt, Best.-Schl. Eur. Flecht.: 205. 1969; Krog & al., Lavflora: 124. 1980; and Wirth, Flechtenflora: 182. 1980; (2) Cetraria alvarensis (Wahlenb.) Vain. by Moberg & Holmasen, Lavar: 76. 1982; and (3) Vulpicida tubulosus by Santesson, Lich. Lich. Fungi Sweden Norway: 237. 1993; and Mattsson in Opera Bot. 119: 48. Historical surveys of the usages of the names can be found in Mattsson (in Opera Bot. 119: 8-10. 1993). The original intent of Linnaeus was to give a binary name to the lichen he found on Juniperus L. during his trip to Lapland (Fl. Lapp.: 344, No. 451 but not No. 450. 1737) although, by the reference to Fl. Suec.: 353 No. 967. 1745 he also included material from Gotland which probably was Vulpicida tubulosus. Linnaeus visited Gotland in 1741 and probably did not understand the difference between the two taxa, thus including both in Lichen juniperinus. Comparison with L. parietinus L. (Sp. PI.: 1143. 1753, now in Xanthoria) shows that he based his description of both species on fertile material. Howe's lectotype was studied by Linnaeus (notes in his hand) but this specimen lacks apothecia. The lectotype is not in real conflict with the protologue but one of the mentioned diagnostic characters, the apothecial disc, is missing. The origin of the material and the time of its inclusion in the herbarium of Linnaeus is unknown.