Lichen Biota Research Articles

Towards a dynamic checklist of lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of Ecuador – using the Consortium of Lichen Herbaria to manage fungal biodiversity in a megadiverse country

AbstractA checklist of Lichen-forming, Lichenicolous and Allied Fungi of Ecuador is presented with a total of 2599 species, of which 39 are reported for the first time from the country. The names of three species, Hypotrachyna montufariensis, H. subpartita and Sticta hypoglabra, previously not validly published, are validated. Pertusaria oahuensis, originally introduced by Magnusson as ‘ad interim’, is validated as Lepra oahuensis. The form Leucodermia leucomelos f. albociliata is validated. Two new combinations, Fissurina tectigera and F. timida, are made, and Physcia mobergii is introduced as a replacement name for the illegitimate P. lobulata Moberg non (Flörke) Arnold. In an initial step, the checklist was compiled by reviewing literature records of Ecuadorian lichen biota spanning from the late 19th century to the present day. Subsequently, records were added based on vouchers from 56 collections participating in the Consortium of Lichen Herbaria, a Symbiota-based biodiversity platform with particular focus on, but not exclusive to, North and South America. Symbiota provides sophisticated tools to manage biodiversity data, such as occurrence records, a taxonomic thesaurus, and checklists. The thesaurus keeps track of frequently changing names, distinguishing taxa currently accepted from ones considered synonyms. The software also provides tools to create and manage checklists, with an emphasis on selecting vouchers based on occurrence records that can be verified for identification accuracy. Advantages and limitations of creating checklists in Symbiota versus traditional ways of compiling these lists are discussed. Traditional checklists are well suited to document current knowledge as a ‘snapshot in time’. They are important baselines, frequently used by ecologists and conservation scientists as an established naming convention for citing species reported from a country. Compiling these lists, however, requires an immense effort, only to inadequately address the dynamic nature of scientific discovery. Traditional checklists are thus quickly out of date, particularly in groups with rapidly changing taxonomy, such as lichenized fungi. Especially in megadiverse countries, where new species and new occurrences continue to be discovered, traditional checklists are not easily updated; these lists necessarily fall short of efficiently managing immense data sets, and they rely primarily on secondary evidence (i.e. literature records rather than specimens). Ideally, best practices make use of dynamic database platforms such as Symbiota to assess occurrence records based both on literature citations and voucher specimens. Using modern data management tools comes with a learning curve. Systems like Symbiota are not necessarily intuitive and their functionality can still be improved, especially when handling literature records. However, online biodiversity data platforms have much potential in more efficiently managing and assessing large biodiversity data sets, particularly when investigating the lichen biota of megadiverse countries such as Ecuador.

Macrolichen Communities Depend on Phorophyte in Conguillío National Park, Chile.

The community composition of epiphytic macrolichens from two tree species (Araucaria araucana and Nothofagus antarctica) was conducted in temperate forests in the Conguillío National Park, Chile. The composition of lichen biota is influenced by phorophyte species, bark pH, and microclimatic conditions. A total of 31 species of macrolichens were found on A. araucana and N. antarctica. Most of the species showed phorophyte preference, with nine being exclusive to A. araucana and 10 to N. antarctica. The detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) indicated the formation of three communities: one representing macrolichens growing on N. antarctica and two others growing chiefly on A. araucana, either with north or south exposure. More work is needed to study the lichen biota of the forests of the Chilean Andes, which are under multiple threats, including clearing and climate change. In order to counteract such risks to native forests and to the biodiversity of the associated epiphytic lichens, conservation plans should be established that consider the factors that influence the composition of the lichen community.

Epiphytic and epigeal lichens as bioindicators of air pollution in the Burabay National Park, Kazakhstan

Abstract. Bukabayeva Z, Abiyev S, Silybayeva B, Assanova U, Sharipkhanova A, Sagdatkyzy B. 2023. Epiphytic and epigeal lichens as bioindicators of air pollution in the Burabay National Park, Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 24: 2701-2709. Lichens are recognized as a symbiotic association between a fungus (mycobiont) and a chlorophyll-containing partner (photobiont). Because lichens receive all their nutrients from the atmosphere, they are very sensitive to air quality and can be used as bioindicators of pollution by heavy metals, organic compounds and radioactive elements in the air. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of lichens as bioindicators of the heavy metal content in the air in the Burabay National Park, northern Kazakhstan. In the period from 2018 to 2022, we studied the floristic composition of lichens in the national park. To inform air pollution level, we determined the quantitative characteristics and projective cover of an epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. at different heights above ground level, and the heavy-metal content in an epigeal lichen Cladonia alpestris (L.) Rabenh (Syn. Cladonia stellaris (Opiz) Pouzar & V?zda) at different distances from the road edge. We identified 56 species of lichen belonging to 23 genera and 16 families on the roadsides or in the nearby forest. We found that the average number of individuals of E. prunastri decreased as the tree trunk height increased. The largest number of individuals (11.3) was observed at a height of 60 cm, and the smallest (2.5), at a height of 150 cm. The analysis of C. alpestris samples taken at different distances (50, 100, 150, 200 m) from the roadside showed that the concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd, As, Ga, V, and ?s were high, and for all the elements studied, except for Mn and Be, exceeded Maximum Allowable Concentration. Our study demonstrates that E. prunastri and C. alpestris are sensitive to air pollution from road traffic and can be used as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution in the study area. Because of the ever-increasing anthropogenic pressure on the vegetation of the Burabay National Park, we recommend further research and monitoring of its lichen biota.

Fissurina inabensis (Graphidaceae, Ascomycota), a new record to Russia from Shikotan Island

During the study of the lichen biota of Shikotan Island, Fissurina inabensis (Vain.) M. Nakan. et Kashiw. was identified on the basis of morphological and anatomical data. It is the first record to Russia both at a species and at genus level. The phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS sequences of the studied specimens supported the close relationship with F. insidiosa C. Knight et Mitt. belonging to the subfamily Fissurinoideae. A detailed description of the morphology, anatomy and secondary metabolites of the studied specimens is given. This species was previously known from Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, and the area is extended to Shikotan Island where are the northernmost localities of the species. Detection of stictic acid might be variable depending on researchers because of the small amount of the substance. It was well detected using HPLC in this study. Differences in the number and size of ascospores in specimens from Shikotan Island and those from Japan described in the literature are discussed.

Contributions to the lichen biota of Pakistan supported by phenotypic and molecular phylogenetic analyses

Contributions to the lichen biota of Pakistan supported by phenotypic and molecular phylogenetic analyses

Freshwater Lichens, Including New Species in the Genera Verrucaria, Placopyrenium and Circinaria, Associated with Lobothallia hydrocharis (Poelt & Nimis) Sohrabi & Nimis from Watercourses of Sardinia

This work summarizes the results of the exploration of freshwater lichen biota on the island of Sardinia associated with the regional flagship species Lobothallia hydrocharis, a large-sized crustose lichen from the splash zone along mountain streams, so far known from Sardinia only. Molecular data were used to confirm its distinctiveness from other taxa and its systematic placement and to identify critical taxa among its associated lichen biota. We found 25 species of lichenized fungi, including three species new to science in the genera Verrucaria, Placopyrenium, and Circinaria, and seven species new to Sardinia (Hydropunctaria rheithrophila, Ionaspis chrysophana, I. odora, Verrucaria aquatilis, V. collematodes, V. pseudovirescens), or new to Southern Europe (V. devensis). Specific traits for the freshwater lichen biota of Sardinia were identified and compared to those reported from freshwater sites in the Alps and Carpathian mountains, e.g., a relative scarcity of subgelatinous lichens. Parasitic or epilichenic interactions were found frequently but only in the splash zone and not in the permanently submerged zone, i.e., two parasitic Placopyrenium species, and clearly lichenicolous thalli of Kuettlingeria atroflava and Lobothallia hydrocharis. Due to its specific trait profile and the great potential for the discovery of new species, we recommend the inclusion of Sardinian and further Mediterranean sites in continental-scale monitoring programs for freshwater lichens.

Frequency, Abundance and Distribution of Lichen In National Botanical Garden, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

An investigation was carried out to study lichen flora of National Botanical Garden, Dhaka, during the tenure of May 2018 to April 2019. Seven genera of lichens namely Chrysothrix, Cladonia, Cryptothecia, Herpothallon, Parmelia, Pertusaria and Usnea were recorded from 15 blocks of the Garden. Lichens were abundantly grown and their number increased from June to October, whereas from November to April the number of lichens gradually decreased. The maximum frequency percentage (36.52) of the association found in Parmelia while minimum frequency percentage was recorded 2.48 in Usnea. Among three different heights, the highest number of lichens was recorded within 2 to 4 feet. Most exclusively, Parmelia was found in all the studied blocks, whereas other identified lichens were observed randomly. The present investigation will be helpful to enrich the knowledge on lichen biota of Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(2): 273-280, 2022 (July)

Contribution to the knowledge of the lichen biota of Pinus nigra stands in Greece

Contribution to the knowledge of the lichen biota of Pinus nigra stands in Greece

Contribution to the lichen biota of Romania

Contribution to the lichen biota of Romania

Лишайники возвращаются? Памятник природы Стрельнинский берег (Санкт-Петербург, Россия)

The total revealed lichen diversity of Strelninsky Bereg Protected Area includes 130 species, 123 of them are lichenized, four are lichenicolous, and three are non-lichenized saprobic fungi. The lichen biota of Strelninsky Bereg is quite rich, despite extremely small size of the area. The lichen Lecania olivacella is new to Russia. Bacidina pycnidiata, Fellhanera bouteillei, and Lecidella subviridis are new to North-Western European Russia. Nine lichen species reported from Strelninsky Bereg are red-listed in St. Petersburg. The reappearance of Leptogium saturninum, which was not recorded in St. Petersburg more than last 90 years, could reflect a decline of atmospheric pollution in the city suburbs. Successful occasional reintroduction of foliose lichens Flavoparmelia caperata, Hypotrachyna revoluta, and Punctelia jeckeri could be possible as a result of modern climate change in the region of St. Petersburg and in the World.

A hotspot of lichen diversity and lichenological research in the Alps: the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Natural Park (Italy).

A checklist of 916 lichenised taxa is reported from the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Natural Park and its surroundings (Trentino-Alto Adige, N Italy), based on 7351 records from: (a) 72 literature sources, (b) eight public and private herbaria and (c) field observations by some of the authors. The study area appears as a hotspot of lichen diversity, hosting 30.1% of the lichen biota of the Alps in a territory that has 0.064% of their total surface area. This is mainly due to its high climatical, geological and orographic heterogeneity, but also to the long history of lichenological exploration, that started in the 19th century with Ferdinand Arnold and is still ongoing. The present work highlights the importance of detailed species inventories to support knowledge of biodiversity patterns, taxonomy and ecology and to properly address conservation issues. Fuscideamollisvar.caesioalbescens, Hydropunctariascabra, Protoparmeliabadiavar.cinereobadia and Variosporapaulii are new to Italy, 18 other taxa are new to Trentino-Alto Adige.

How was the year 2022 for Folia Cryptogamica Estonica?


 
 
 The current FCE fascicle 59 is full of diverse papers considering new and noteworthy taxon records, updates to red- and checklists, and among other things – lichen biota on hornfels outcrops.
 
 

Некоторые результаты лихенологических исследований в национальном парке «ЛОСИНЫЙ ОСТРОВ» (Московский регион, Россия)

Relevance and goal. “Losiny Ostrov” National Park with the area of about 13 thousand hectares was organized in 1983 and is situated on the territory of the Moscow agglomeration, partially within the Moscow city limits. A unique complex of natural conditions ensures a considerable wealth of biota, which is far from being fully studied. Despite a long period of lichen studies, until recently information on lichens of “Losiny Ostrov” National Park has been rather scattered and insufficient. This work is aimed at updating the lichen checklist and supplementing the information about the diversity of lichen biota of the national park. Material and methods. Available literary sources (beginning in 1900) were analyzed, and several field studies were conducted between 2017 and 2022. Materials were collected and studied using generally accepted lichenological techniques; identified specimens were placed mainly in the MHA herbarium. A database was organized and maintained in MS Excel. Results and conclusion. The total list of the lichen biota of “Losiny Ostrov” National Park for the entire history of its study has so far amounted to 148 species from 69 genera, 30 families of lichens and closely related non-lichenized fungi, traditionally analyzed together with lichens. Of this list, 7 species are considered as doubtful, and another two species seem to be completely extinct on the study area; thus, the current lichen checklist includes 139 species from 67 genera and 29 families. A brief taxonomic analysis allows us to define the identified lichen biota as typically forested, but with pronounced signs of anthropogenic transformation. 23 lichen species protected in the Moscow region have been found in the national park, of which 20 have been confirmed during the last 20 years. Occurrence of the rest three species at the territory of the Losiny Ostrov National Park is still possible. Further lichenological research at the study area is needed, especially within the protected and specially protected functional areas of the national park.

Addition to the lichen biota of Franz Josef Land archipelago

Forty-four new lichen species and one lichenicolous fungus have been identified as a result of studies of the lichen biota of the Franz Josef Land archipelago. Bryocaulon hyperboreum was reported for the first time from Russia. Gyalecta hypoleuca and Umbilicaria maculata were first identified in the Arctic. Arctocetraria andrejevii, Brodoa oroarctica, Candelariella borealis, Cercidospora stereocaulorum, Massalongia carnosa, Miriquidica nigroleprosa, M. plumbeoatra, Myriolecis zosterae var. palanderi and Polyblastia gothica are new to the Arkhangelsk Region; and Arthrorhaphis citrinella, Mycoblastus alpinus, Racodium rupestre, Rhizocarpon ferax, Scytinium intermedium, Stereocaulon glareosum are new to the Arctic part of the Arkhangelsk Region. Species new to Arkhangelsk Region, Arctic and Russia are supplied with information on distribution in neighboring regions and world and on differences from closely related species. The checklist of the Franz Josef Land archipelago thus includes 277 species and 6 varieties of lichenized and 43 lichenicolous fungi to date.

Refining the picture of lichen biota of Himachal Pradesh together with new distributional records to the state

Himachal Pradesh (HP) is one of the biodiversity rich states of Western Himalaya, however meagre information is available regarding lichen biota of this state. In the present study an attempt has been made to provide an updated list of lichens from HP. The list is based on recent collections and some previous available literature made by the authors during the last one decade. A total of 714 species of lichens belonging to 189 genera and 49 families are reported, of which 15 species are new addition to the lichen flora of HP. The Lecanorioid and Parmelioid communities exhibit their dominance in the state and majority of the species are found growing over bark and rocks. The available information on the lichen biota of the state will present the current picture of lichens diversity in the state of Himachal Pradesh and will also serve as a baseline for carrying out future long term monitoring studies.

Cetrelia isidiata (Asahina) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb. (Parmeliaceae) – an addition to the Indian lichen biota

Cetrelia isidiata (Asahina) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb., is characterized by the presence of isidia, pseudocyphellae on thallus, and containing anziaic acid. The species is reported here as an addition to the Indian lichen biota from Arunachal Pradesh. A detailed description along with key to isidiate species of the genus known is provided.

Pyrenula chlorospila (Nyl.) Arnold (Pyrenulaceae), a new addition to lichen biota of India

Climatic conditions and physical features of the Eastern Himalayan region encompasses a rich diversity of lichen biota. However, the region’s lichens are still far from extensively explored. Here, we study the genus Pyrenula Ach. from the Dhubri district of Assam in North-East India. Twelve species of Pyrenula have been recorded, of which one of the species, P. chlorospila (Nyl.) Arnold, is a newly reported from India. Morphotaxonomic comments on this species, emphasizing its distribution, are provided. 

Hornfels rocks as a habitat for saxicolous lichen biota. A case study from the Sudety Mountains (SW Poland)

The results of lichenological studies on hornfels outcrops in the Izerskie Mountains (Sudetes, SW Poland) are presented. This substrate is connected with the igneous intrusion into the country rocks and is characterized by a richer chemical and mineral composition than the surrounding rock bodies. In the six analyzed sites, a total of 48 saxicolous lichen species were found. Hornfels as a substrate for lichen vegetation is distinguished by the presence of lichens typical for rocks rich in metal compounds, in the study area represented by Rhizocarpon oederi, Lecidea silacea and Porpidia melinodes, and lichens that prefer mineral-enriched rocks, like Lecanora campestris, L. rupicola, Lecidea fuscoatra, Porpidia cinereoatra and Rimularia gibbosa. The three mentioned metallophilous species are some of the rarest components of the lichen biota in Poland, known from single localities. Other rare and locally endangered lichens recorded on hornfels include Lambiella furvella, Stereocaulon dactylophyllum and Umbilicaria pustulata.

Participation and role of German lichenologists in understanding the lichen biota of the areas currently within the borders of Poland

Fałtynowicz, W. 2022. Beteiligung und Rolle deutscher Lichenologen an der Kenntnis der Flechtenbiota von Gebieten, die jetzt in Polen liegen. – Herzogia 35: 6 –21. Deutsche Naturforscher initiierten bereits im 17. Jahrhundert lichenologische Forschungen in Gebieten, die heute zu Polen gehören. In über 200 Jahren ihrer Tätigkeit haben sie über 100 Bücher und Artikel über Flechten veröffentlicht und damit einen wesentlichen Beitrag zum Verständnis der Flechtenbiota in Polen geleistet. Die Ergebnisse ihrer Forschungen bilden zusammen mit den zahlreichen erhaltenen Herbarsammlungen ein wichtiges Dokumentationsund Vergleichsmaterial, das von polnischen Lichenologen noch vielfach genutzt wird.

New additions to the lichen biota of Assam from Dhubri district, northeastern India

The present study deals with the exploration of lichen diversity in Dhubri district of Assam state. A total of 42 lichen species belonging to 10 families and 16 genera were recorded, the majority of which were crustose (93%) with Graphidaceae as the dominant family. Eleven of the lichen species under eight genera are new additions to the lichen biota of Assam.