Lichenicolous Fungi of British Columbia

Abstract

Sixty-three species of lichenicolous fungi are reported from British Columbia. Described as new are Talpapellis gen. & sp. nov., Arthonia lethariicola sp. nov., Bryoscyphus lichenicola sp. nov., Echinothecium aerophillum sp. nov., Homostegia dermatocarpae sp. nov., Lichenoconium edgewoodensis sp. nov., and Sphaerellothecium gowardii sp. nov. Nineteen of the previously described species are new to North America and an additional 19 are new to British Columbia. The lichenicolous fungus flora of North America has not yet been thoroughly studied, although lichenicolous fungi have been reported by many authors in recent years (Alstrup & Hawksworth 1990; Aptroot 1996; Atienza & Hawksworth 1994; Brodo 1995; Diederich 1996; Goffinet 1994; Goward & Ahti 1992; Goward & Thor 1992; Goward et al. 1994, 1996; Ihlen & Tensberg 1996; Isbrand & Alstrup 1992; Triebel et al. 1991; and Zhurbenko et al. 1995). An effort was made by the authors to find lichenicolous fungi in British Columbia while on the excursions associated with the Fifth International Mycological Congress in August, 1994. The collecting localities, described by Trevor Goward and Irwin Brodo in the excursion program, are as follows. 1. Whistler area, Brandywine Falls, coastal western hemlock zone, with Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Alnus rubra, 50002'N, 123005'W, elev. 500 m. 2. Kamloops area, Buse Hill, interior douglas fir zone, with dry forests of Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii and basalt outcrops, 50035'N, 120003'W, elev. 950 m. 3. Chasm Provincial Park, interior douglas fir zone, open grassy area, 51012'N, 121027'W, elev. 850 m. 4. Wells Gray Provincial Park, Clearwater Lake Picnic Area, interior cedar-hemlock zone with seral forests, and old growth forest, interior cedar hemlock zone with old growth Thuja plicata, Tsuga heterophylla, and Populus trichocarpa, 52007'N, 120010'W, elev. 675 m. 5. Wells Gray Provincial Park, Dawson Falls, interior cedar-hemlock zone, with Abies lasiocarpa, Picea glauca X engelmannii, Thuja plicata, Tsuga heterophylla, and Alnus tenuifolia, with bedrock of basalt and calcium enriched waterfall spray zone. 51o58'N, 120007'W, elev. ca 775 m. 6. Clearwater River Basin, Upper Clearwater Village, 1 km south of Philip Creek, creek with Betula papyrifera, Populus tremuloides, Alnus sp, abandoned farmstead with scattered basalt boulders, old fence posts, fallen trees, and scattered open grown trees, 51o52'N, 120001'W, elev. 700