LECANORA COMPALLENS AND L. SINUOSA,TWO NEW OVERLOOKED CORTICOLOUS LICHEN SPECIES FROM WESTERN EUROPE

Lecanora compallens and L. sinuosa, two corticolous lichens, are described as species new to science on the basis of numerous collections. Lecanora compallens is a sorediate species, known only as sterile. It is probably common in Western Europe, but overlooked because it is very similar to L. expallens. Chemically, the new species is identical with L. strobilina, of which it may represent a sorediate counterpart. Lecanora sinuosa is a new species similar to L. chlarotera and so far only known from a limited area in the Netherlands and Germany, although it may be overlooked elsewhere. Lecanora sinuosa is very close to L. hybocarpa, with which it shares thepulicaris -type epihymenium inspersed with fine crystals but differs markedly by its thick thallus and thick and sinuous apothecium margin.     

Biatora britannica sp. nov. and the occurrence of Biatora efflorescens in the British Isles

Abstract:Biatora britannica sp. nov. is described from Wales. The species is the sorediate sister taxon of the Madeiran Biatora hertelii. The close relationship is supported by the presence of the hymenial pigment Hertelii-green, which is hitherto known only from these two species. Molecular data from the nuclear ITS-region of 14 Biatora -species renders further support for the close relationship of both species. Sterile, sorediate material from the British Isles earlier referred to B. efflorescens may in fact belong to B. britannica.     

New species or interesting records of foliicolous lichens. VIII. Two new taxa from tropical Africa,with a key to sorediate Fellhanera species

Abstract:Two new species belonging to the lichen families Pilocarpaceae andEctolechiaceae are described from tropical Africa: Calopadia lucida sp. nov. (Ectolechiaceae) from Tanzania, being similar to C. puiggarii but differing in the UV fluorescent thallus and the pruinose apothecia, andFellhanera ivoriensis sp. nov. (Pilocarpaceae) from the Ivory Coast, differing from the related F. rhapidophylli by the sorediate thallus and from other sorediate taxa by the combination of pale soralia, dark brown apothecia, and the ellipsoid-bacillar conidia. A key to the nine sorediate species of Fellhanera is provided.     

Using historical accounts to set conservation baselines: the case of Lynx species in Spain

The knowledge of the historical range of organisms is necessary to understand distribution dynamics and their drivers as well as to set reference conditions and conservation goals. We reviewed written sources documenting the presence of lynxes in Spain between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, trying to infer whether Lynx records referred to the Iberian (Lynx pardinus) or the Eurasian (Lynx lynx) species. We compiled 151 spatially specific, non-redundant Lynx records, dating between 1572 and 1897. Records appeared split in two neatly separated areas, North and South. Arguably, all historical records from the South area correspond to Iberian lynx, since almost all of them fall within the estimated range of the species in the 1950s. This suggests that the core distribution area of the species remained relatively stable for centuries, until the second half of the twentieth century. The reported range in the 1950s is thus an appropriate scenario to set conservation goals for this critically endangered species. The North area extended from Galicia and northern Portugal to the Mediterranean, mainly occupying the Atlantic-climate area of northern Iberia. Reported direct measurements and the accumulation of indirect evidences suggest that most, if not all, northern Lynx records refer to the Eurasian lynx, which had been previously detected in archaeological sites of the area. This species was apparently present in the Iberian Peninsula until the early-nineteenth century. Our results provide an objective, baseline distribution of Lynx species in Spain useful to guide conservation efforts both at the Iberian and European levels.     

Yeast population of the Kindo Peninsula lichens

Yeast abundance and species diversity in the lichens collected at the Kindo Peninsula (Karelia) were studied. A total of 14 lichen species analyzed belonged to the genera Bryoria, Cladonia, Hypogymnia, Icmadophila, Nephroma, Peltigera, and Ramalina. Abundance of cultured yeasts in lichens was intermediate between soil and phyllosphere. The average yeast number on lichens was ~2.5 × 10³ CFU/g, while it exceeded 8 × 10³ CFU/g on plants and reached only 1 × 10³ CFU/g in soil. Yeast population of different parts of Cladonia lichens was found to vary significantly in abundance, species diversity, and community structure. The highest yeast abundance and diversity were revealed in the growth zone. Fifteen yeast species were isolated from lichens, including 6 basidiomycetous and 9 ascomycetous ones. Unlike soils and plants, yeast population of lichens consisted mainly of ascomycetous species, with predominance of Candida sphagnicola and anamorphous yeasts of the genus Dothiora. These results show that yeasts from different taxonomic and ecological groups are a necessary component of lichens; conditions favoring the preservation and development of specific yeast communities differing from the typical soil and phyllosphere yeast complexes are formed in the lichens of northern taiga forests.     

Genetic evidence for a distinct Pelodytes lineage in southwest Portugal: implications for the use of pre-developed microsatellite markers

For population genetic analyses of Parsley frogs in Iberia we initially used microsatellite markers previously developed for Pelodytes punctatus in southwest Portugal. However, several loci indicated a strong signal of amplification failure for individuals from northern Spain. Cryptic species or genetic entities are suspected to occur in southwest Portugal on the basis of studies with other species and understanding cryptic diversity is a concern as amphibian habitat, temporary ponds in traditional Mediterranean farmland, is disappearing at a fast rate. Our study revealed a new Pelodytes lineage in southwest Portugal which appears to be discrete. However, the rare occurrence of a distinct mitochondrial haplotype from its sister species, despite no nuclear differentiation, is a signature of introgression indicating that reproductive isolation is not complete.     

LECANORA BARKMANEANAA NEW NITROPHILOUS SOREDIATE CORTICOLOUS LICHEN FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Lecanora barkmaneana, a sorediate corticolous lichen belonging to theLecanora subfuscagroup, is described as a species new to science on the basis of numerous sterile collections. It is known so far as only from the Netherlands, where it often grows on roadside trees. it seems to be spreading rapidly at nutrient-rich sites.     

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE DISTRIBUTION OF LICHENS ON GRANITIC MONUMENTS IN THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

The phytosociology of lichens colonizing granitic churches and dolmens in Galicia (N.W. Spain) and Alentejo (central Portugal) was studied so as to identify (a) a group of species whose frequency on these structures would make them potentially useful as test species for the evaluation of biocides used for conservation, (b) environmental factors likely to control species distribution, and (c) species that may be useful as bioindicators of environmental factors in this kind of construction in the region studied. Chief among the factors correlating with species distribution is the class of structure (church or dolmen), which is attributed to the probable influence of this factor on environmental parameters affected by structural complexity, the presence of non-granitic materials and the influence of man in the immediate surroundings. The bioindicator species most sensitive to this complex of parameters appear to be three species found only on churches (Caloplaca citrina , Sarcogyne clavus and Verrucaria macrostoma) and the most widespread of the species found only on dolmens (Lasallia pustulata). Other important factors, probably affecting the influence of class of structure, are pH and the availability of nitrogen and moisture.     

Nutritive value of terricolous lichens for reindeer in winter

Abstract:In contrast to virtually all other species of ruminants, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) eat substantial amounts of lichens in winter. Several different species of lichens are eaten and most are highly palatable. The chemical composition and the in vitro digestibility of six species of terricolous lichens commonly eaten by reindeer were measured. Ruminal inoculum was obtained in winter from six free-ranging reindeer that had been grazing on natural pastures in northern Norway. Analysis of the plant parts recovered from their rumens confirmed that the animals had been eating a mixed diet that included both lichens and vascular plants. The chemical composition and the in vitro digestibility of the different species of lichens varied considerably between species and genera. Cetraria islandica, C. nivalis andCladonia arbuscula were highly digestible [69–77% dry matter (DM)], Stereocaulon paschale was poorly digestible (43% DM), whereas Cladonia stellaris and C. gracilis had an intermediate digestibility (56–57% DM). Mixing Cladonia stellaris with vascular plants (50:50) had no effect on the in vitro digestibility of the combined substrates. The in vitro digestibility of Cladonia stellaris in inoculum from two captive reindeer which had had no access to lichens was very low (10% DM). This shows that the source of inoculum used for digestibility trials has a major effect on the apparent digestibility of the substrates. Evidently, the extent to which reindeer are able to utilize lichens depends on the species that are selected and on what the animals have been eating recently.     

Environmental factors and ground disturbance affecting the composition of species and functional traits of ground layer lichens on grey dunes and dune heaths of Estonia

A unique, species‐rich and endangered lichen biota can be found on European coastal and inland sand dunes. However, it is increasingly affected by natural succession as well as by anthropogenic disturbances. We studied lichen diversity on the grey dunes and dune heaths of coastal and inland regions of Estonia. A total of 28 study plots were investigated; in each 0.1 ha study plot general environmental variables and anthropogenic disturbances were described and all epigeic lichen species were identified. We found 66 lichenized fungus (lichen) species, including several rare and ten red‐listed lichens. Multivariate analysis (DCA, CCA) was performed to examine gradients in species composition and to relate variation in species data to environmental factors. In addition, we used redundancy analysis (RDA) to relate variation in species’ trait composition to environmental factors. Species composition on grey dunes differed significantly from that on dune heaths. The characteristic species for grey dunes are, besides several Cladonia species, foliose lichens, e.g. Hypogymnia physodes, Parmelia sulcata and Peltigera spp. Also species’ traits composition was different for either habitat, indicating that sorediate lichens, foliose lichens, lichens with cyanobacterium as the main photobiont, and sparsely branched Cladonia species dominate on grey dunes, while esorediate, green‐algal, crustose and richly branched fruticose lichens are common on dune heaths. Soil pH was the most essential environmental variable for determining both species composition and species’ traits composition. The composition of lichen species was also significantly influenced by forest closeness, soil Mg content and cover of bare sand; the effect of ground disturbances was low compared to the effect of these environmental factors. To protect and conserve the species‐rich lichen biota, it is necessary to protect the dune habitats from building activity, to avoid overtrampling in recreation areas and to regularly remove shrubs and trees.     

Spatial variation in the recruitment of the intertidal barnacles Chthamalus montagui Southward and Chthamalus stellatus (Poli) (Crustacea: Cirripedia) over an European scale

Spatial variation in the recruitment of the intertidal barnacles Chthamalus montagui and Chthamalus stellatus was examined over an European scale. The study was carried out using standardised protocols at a series of locations. The five locations chosen (SW Ireland, NW Spain, SW Portugal and NW and NE Italy) span a large part of the range of these species in Europe. The spatial scales were location (hundreds of kilometres) and shore (thousands of metres).Estimates of total cumulative recruitment (cyprids and metamorphs) summed over the year (April 1997 to March 1998) showed substantial variation between locations which was dependent on the species. Recruitment was highest in SW Portugal for C. montagui and in SW Ireland and NW Spain for C. stellatus. Overall recruitment of C. montagui was higher than that of C. stellatus at all locations except SW Ireland, where recruitment of the two species was not significantly different. There were significant differences among shores in each location.The recruitment period of both species varied with location, with recruitment beginning earlier further south. In general, recruitment of C. montagui and C. stellatus was recorded in 8 months in NW Spain and NE Italy, while only in 7 months in SW Ireland. Recruitment of C. montagui occurred in 10 months in SW Portugal, but no recruits of C. stellatus were found. In all locations there was at least one distinct peak of recruitment. In SW Ireland both species showed only one peak of recruitment, a month after initiation. At the more southerly Atlantic locations, as well as in the Mediterranean, two unequal peaks of recruitment were generally seen. During recruit census, the number of cyprids, in comparison to metamorphs, found at any location was very low. In SW Ireland and NW Spain cyprids of both species were found, while in SW Portugal and in the Mediterranean, only cyprids of C. montagui were found.     

New mite invasions in citrus in the early years of the 21st century

Several mite species commonly attack cultivated citrus around the world. Up to 104 phytophagous species have been reported causing damage to leaves, buds and fruits, but only a dozen can be considered major pests requiring control measures. In recent years, several species have expanded their geographical range primarily due to the great increase in trade and travel worldwide, representing a threat to agriculture in many countries. Three spider mite species (Acari: Tetranychidae) have recently invaded the citrus-growing areas in the Mediterranean region and Latin America. The Oriental red mite, Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein), presumably from the Near East, was detected in southern Spain in 2001. The Texas citrus mite, Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor), is widely distributed in North, Central and South America. It was first reported in Europe in 1999 on citrus in Portugal; afterwards the mite invaded the citrus orchards in southern Spain. In Latin America, the Hindustan citrus mite, Schizotetranychus hindustanicus (Hirst), previously known only from citrus and other host plants in India, was reported causing significant damage to citrus leaves and fruits in Zulia, northwest Venezuela, in the late 1990s. Later, this mite species spread to the southeast being detected on lemon trees in the state of Roraima in northern Brazil in 2008. Whereas damage levels, population dynamics and control measures are relatively well know in the case of Oriental red mite and Texas citrus mite, our knowledge of S. hindustanicus is noticeably scant. In the present paper, information on pest status, seasonal trends and natural enemies in invaded areas is provided for these species, together with morphological data useful for identification. Because invasive species may evolve during the invasion process, comparison of behavior, damage and management options between native and invaded areas for these species will be useful for understanding the invader’s success and their ability to colonize new regions.     

A survey method for assessing the richness of epiphytic lichens using growth forms

The species richness of epiphytic lichens is continuously decreasing by degradation and loss of habitat. Considering that taxonomic identification of all species is time and resource consuming, rapid assessment methods to extrapolate the total number of species are needed for practical conservation. This paper describes an alternative method using the correlation between lichens growth forms and species richness. The study was conducted in 406 forest stands located in Central Spain, covering a wide range of mediterranean-climate ecosystem regions, management intensity levels, canopy cover conditions, and tree sizes. The presence/absence of epiphytic lichens was determined in 6090 trees, which were dominated by oak species (Quercus ilex, Q. faginea, and Q. pyrenaica). In all type of forests, the diversity of growth forms was positively correlated with the total epiphytic lichen richness. In all cases, species richness increased in non-managed forest stands with dense canopies. Thus, we propose the use of lichen growth forms as a helpful surrogate of species richness to detect potentially conservation priority areas in the Mediterranean region.     

Cryptic speciation between Juniperus deltoides and Juniperus oxycedrus (Cupressaceae) in the Mediterranean

Analyses of individuals classically treated as Juniperus oxycedrus L. var. oxycedrus from Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey, using DNA sequencing of nrDNA (ITS 1, 5.8S, ITS 2) plus RAPDs, leaf terpenoids and morphology revealed that two cryptic, genetically distinct but morphologically almost identical species are present. These species, J. oxycedrus L. var. oxycedrus and Juniperus deltoides R.P. Adams, are about as different from each other as Juniperus navicularis and Juniperus macrocarpa are from J. oxycedrus var. oxycedrus. Examination of herbarium specimens revealed that the two species are largely allopatric with J. deltoides occurring from Italy eastward through Turkey into the Caucasus Mts. and Iran. J. oxycedrus var. oxycedrus appears to be largely concentrated west of Italy (France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco). Cryptic speciation is discussed.     

Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation in the field on the concentration of phenolics and chlorophyll fluorescence in two boreal and arctic–alpine lichens

Lichens constitute a prominent part of the vegetation at high latitudes and altitudes, but the effects of UV-B radiation on these symbiotic organisms are not well known. In a northern boreal site (Abisko, northern Sweden), the usnic acid-producing lichens Flavocetraria nivalis and Nephroma arcticum were exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation, corresponding to 25% ozone depletion, for two and one growing seasons, respectively. They were compared with lichens grown under ambient UV-B and harvested fresh from the field. The treated thalli of F. nivalis had been transplanted from a site 24 km from the treatment site. From this source locality, untreated thalli were also harvested. Enhanced UV-B did not affect concentrations of usnic acid and the two depsides phenarctin and nephroarctin. A gradual decline of usnic acid, probably coupled to unusually long periods of dry, sunny weather, was observed both under enhanced and ambient UV-B and in untreated thalli. Photosystem II efficiency in both species was slightly reduced by enhanced UV-B. However, differences between seasons were larger than differences between treatments, which indicate that UV-B effects are minor in comparison to other climatic variables. Concentrations of UV-B-absorbing phenolics in lichens do not show a simple relationship to UV-B dose and therefore cannot be used as bioindicators of UV-B levels.     

Über Nord-Süd-Gradienten von Chemotypen europäischer Flechten

In Europe the chemotypes in different lichen groups tend to be distributed not randomly but along a north-south gradient. In the south more numerous and more complex chemotypes occur. In the north there are fewer chemotypes, often with fewer substances involved, or strains lacking certain compounds (0-strains). This gradient is established through chemical differentiation according to colourless substances of the medulla (group I), pigments of the cortex (group II), a combination of both in the same thallus (group III), and pigments in the medulla (group IV). The north-south gradient is found in lichens of very diverse families and genera, at least among species that are saxicolous, crustose or lobate but not sorediate. This gradient should not be interpreted as a consequence of relatively recent evolution but rather of increasing impoverishment in northern regions due to glaciation periods and the climatic conditions prevailing up to the present time.

     

Epiphytic lichen diversity and its dependence on bark chemistry in the northern Mongolian dark taiga

Epiphytic lichen diversity was studied in a dark taiga forest of Pinus sibirica, Abies sibirica and Picea obovata in the western Khentey Mountains, northern Mongolia. Though most lichen species occurred on all three tree species, lichen diversity was higher on Abies and Picea than on Pinus. On branches, lichen vegetation differed less between tree species than on the trunk. The occurrence of many Parmeliaceae species with a hydrophilic surface and of many species producing the dibenzofuran usnic acid gives evidence of the low deposition of acidic pollutants in the study area. The Mn content of bark, which is known to limit at high values the abundance of epiphytic lichens in coniferous forests of Europe and North America, is apparently not controlling the spatial distribution of epiphytic lichens in the dark taiga of Mongolia. This is attributed to the dry and cold winters in Mongolia, as high Mn is especially leached from the surface of trees under moist conditions at temperatures around the freezing point, when the contact between water droplets and the tree surface is particularly intensive. Such moist and cold weather conditions are frequent in most parts of the northern coniferous forests of Europe and North America, but are rare events in the most continental parts of Asia, i.e. in Mongolia and eastern Siberia.     

POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE EPIPHYTIC LICHENUSNEA LONGISSIMAIN A BOREALPICEA ABIESCANOPY

Usnea longissimawas sampled in SE Norway on six main branches of onePicea abies, comprising its full vertical canopy range. Nearly all specimens (n=781) were unattached and fragmented, in contrast with associated lichens. A combination of weak axes and lack of holdfasts resulted in a population of repeatedly displaced thalli, a similar situation as in ground-dwelling vagant lichens. Comparisons with a litterfall population indicated that thalli, regardless of size, had a similar probability to end as litter on the ground. Specimens were frequently sorediate, but only 12 small thalli with a basal holdfast had been directly recruited through soredial establishment. Its patchy distribution within apparently homogenous forest stands is probably a consequence of a rare successful long-range dispersal through soredia coupled with an abundant local dispersal of coarse thallus fragments. Old forests with ample, diffuse skylight at lower and humid canopy levels are probably essential to maintain a vagant epiphytic life form with a predominantly downward dispersal of thallus fragments.     

Stratigraphy of the Northern Pulo do Lobo Domain,SW Iberia Variscides: A palynological contribution

We present palynological results from the northern sector of the Pulo do Lobo Domain, combining sections studied in Portugal and Spain. A total of 139 samples were studied, of which 56 are positive for palynology. The first age determination for the Pulo do Lobo Formation was achieved, indicating a mid-Frasnian age (Verrucosisporites bulliferus and Pustulatisporites rugulatus). The sediments of Peramora Mélange (Spain) yielded the same palyno-assemblage as that of the Pulo do Lobo Fm. and are interpreted as a part of this formation. The Ribeira de Limas Fm. also yielded mid-Frasnian miospore assemblages, indicating the same age as the Pulo do Lobo Fm. The Santa Iria and Horta da Torre formations present spore assemblages assigned to the late Famennian in both Portugal and Spain. The phyllites interbedded with the quartzites of the Alájar Mélange yielded a palyno-assemblage late Famennian in age that can be correlated to the Horta da Torre Fm. Therefore, the Alájar quartzites are interpreted as a lateral equivalent of the Horta da Torre Fm. in Spain. The palynological results obtained for the units of the northern sector of the Pulo do Lobo Domain are highly consistent and in agreement with stratigraphic mapping and structural interpretations. A detailed discussion of the palynological versus geochronological ages based on detrital zircons is included in this study. The palynological results and their comparison with the worldwide Upper Devonian palynological record suggest a close affinity with NW European palynofloras, placing the Pulo do Lobo Domain within the Avalonian paleobiogeographical province.     

First record of the Australian psyllid Ctenarytaina spatulata Taylor (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in Europe

Abstract: The Australian species Ctenarytaina spatulata Taylor (Homoptera: Psyllidae) is reported from Europe for the first time. In August of 2002, it was recorded in several eucalyptus plantations in central Portugal. During August and September of 2002, the insect was apparently circumscribed to the area between rivers Douro and Tagus, being absent in the North and South of the country. In February of 2003, C. spatulata was already present all over the country and also in every place we inspected in Spain, namely in Galicia, Extremadura and Andalucia regions. The dispersion of the insect suggests that its introduction in Iberian forests is recent. At the moment, damages were observed in plantations located in northern and central Portugal, and also in the north of Spain. Predation on C. spatulata by spiders, green lacewings (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae, Syrphinae), ladybeetles (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), and minute pirate bugs (Hemiptera, Anthocoridae) was observed in the field.