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Keywords: ecotopes/ flora/ floristic similarity/ plant communities (associations)/ vascular plants
Abstract: Specific features in the overgrowing of technogenically disturbed areas with completely destroyed soil and plant cover (a sand pit, a causeway, and an off-road vehicle trail) have been studied in the environs of the Bovanenkovo Oil-Gas Condensate Field. It is shown that the vegetation of natural ecotopes and ecotopes disturbed approximately 20 years ago is characterized by a relatively high similarity in the composition of vascular plants. The total species composition of plant communities (including mosses and lichens) and their structure show a considerable loss of floristic and phytocenotic diversity. © 2012 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1134/S1067413611060038
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Keywords: Antarctic tundra/ Facilitation/ Plant-moss interaction/ Plant-plant interactions
Abstract: The vegetation of the Antarctic tundra is dominated by mosses and lichens. Deschampsia antarctica, the Antarctic hairgrass, is one of two vascular plant species which grow along the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. However, little is known about its recruitment and interaction with non-vascular tundra plants. Although several authors propose that tolerance and/or competition should be the main forms of interaction between moss carpets and D. antarctica, no relevant studies exist so far. We investigated whether positive interactions are predominant at the Shetland Islands and the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and focussed on the role that moss carpets play in the recruitment of D. antarctica. Across the studied zone, D. antarctica showed a significant association with moss carpets, with higher frequencies as well as more and larger individuals than on bare ground. At one site, we conducted moss removal and seedlings transplant experiments to assess the relevance of the moss carpets for different life stages of hairgrass. All experimental individuals survived until the following summer whether the moss carpet was removed or not, but growth rate was significantly lower in tussocks with moss carpets removed. Likewise, tiller size was higher in plants growing in moss carpets than on bare ground. The detected positive interactions with mosses seem to be important for the expansion of D. antarctica, raising the question about their importance under future climate change scenarios. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1229-9
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Keywords: Antarctica/ Geomorphology/ Glaciers/ Lichenometry/ Little Ice Age/ Rhizocarpon geographicum
Abstract: The recently observed recession of glaciers on King George Island is associated with decades of climate warming in the Antarctic Peninsula region. However, with only 60 years of glaciological observations in the study area ages of the oldest moraines are still uncertain. The goal of the study was to estimate ages of lichen colonization on the oldest moraines of the Ecology and White Eagle Glaciers on King George Island and on the Principal Cone of Penguin Island volcano. The first lichenometric studies on these islands from the late 1970s used rates that had about four to five times slower Rhizocarpon growth rates. We re-examined the sites and measured 996 thalli diameters to establish the surface ages. To estimate the age we used (1) long-term Rhizocarpon lichen group growth rates established by authors using data from a previous lichenometric study on King George Island (2) previous data of lichen growth rates from other sub-Antarctic islands. Our results suggest growth rates between 0.5 and 0.8mmyr-1. According to these rates the ages of the oldest moraine ridges are of the Little Ice Age and were colonized at the beginning of the twentieth century. The mid-twentieth century age of lichen colonization on the historically active Penguin Island volcano might support the date of the last eruption reported by whalers in the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century. © The authors 2012. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography © 2012 Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2012.00460.x
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Keywords: Biocomplexes/ Lichens/ Mechanochemistry/ Physiologically active substances/ beta oligosaccharide/ biopolymer/ drug/ oligosaccharide/ unclassified drug/ article/ biological activity/ complex formation/ lichen (organism)/ toxicity
Abstract: The creation of the mechanochemical complexes based on polymer matrix of natural ?-oligosaccharides prolonging the activity of API, increasing its biological (incl. therapeutic) effect several folds, while reducing the toxicity is one of the most promising issue in pharmacy.
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Keywords: Canary Islands/ Gomera/ Gran Canaria/ La Palma/ lichen/ Madeira/ new species/ Portugal/ Spain/ Tenerife
Abstract: Trapeliopsis gymnidiata, a terricolous species from the Canary Islands, is described as new to science. It has previously been confused with T. wallrothii, but differs by the soft, partly decorticate isidia, or rather gymnidia, that leave inconspicuous scars after falling off. Trapeliopsis wallrothii is known only from high mountains in Macaronesia, while T. gymnidiata is a lowland species. Trapelia rubra from Madeira is also described as new to science. It grows in similar places and resembles some morphs of Trapelia coarctata, but differs by the nearly squamulose areoles, the crenulate, seemingly sorediate, apothecium margin that does not become excluded, and especially by the patchy red colour (skyrin) in the medulla. © 2012 British Lichen Society.
Notes: New: Trapelia rubra Aptroot & Schumm (from Portugal and Spain), Trapeliopsis gymnidiata Aptroot & Schumm (from Spain).
URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/lichenologist/article/new-terricolous-trapelia-and-a-new-trapeliopsis-trapeliaceae-baeomycetales-from-macaronesia/250003ED3702B5A347B7DA6FBA1DB36D
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Keywords: Bacidia/ Fellhanera/ global warming/ lichen new species/ Rhododendron/ taxonomy
Abstract: The new species Fellhaneropsis rhododendri is described from living Rhododendron leaves in the Netherlands. It is characterized by pyriform pycnidia with stiff, septate hairs at the mouth. It is doubtlessly due to recent global warming that an obligately foliicolous lichen can be described from a temperate area in Europe. © 2012 British Lichen Society.
Notes: New species: Fellhaneropsis rhododendri Aptroot
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000011
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Abstract: An identification key is presented for the accepted species of the lichen genera Anthracothecium (comprising 5 species) and Pyrenula (with 169 species, including 7 still undescribed). The key also contains some similar taxa and is complete for Blastodesmia (1 species), Sulcopyrenula (4 species), and Eopyrenula (6 species), but not for others such as Aptrootia, Architrypethelium, and Lithothelium, of which only the corticolous brown-spored taxa are treated. The following new combinations were found to be necessary: Anthracothecium interlatens (Nyl.) Aptroot, Pyrenula breutelii (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot, Pyrenula ceylonensis (Ajay Singh & Upreti) Aptroot, Pyrenula fusispora (Malme) Aptroot, Pyrenula gibberulosa (Vain.) Aptroot, Pyrenula lyoni (Zahlbr.) Aptroot, Pyrenula papillifera (Nyl.) Aptroot, Pyrenula platystoma (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot, Pyrenula schiffneri (Zahlbr.) Aptroot, Pyrenula welwitschii (Upreti & Ajay Singh) Aptroot, and Sulcopyrenula subglobosa (Riddle) Aptroot. Pyrenula sexluminata Aptroot is a new name for Pyrenula quinqueseptata Aptroot, and Pyrenula neosandwicensis Aptroot is a new name for Anthracothecium sandwicense Zahlbr. In addition, all known and many novel synonyms are cited, and the disposition of all other taxa in the two genera Anthracothecium (with 155 names) and Pyrenula (with 745 names) and their generic synonyms. Bogoriella was found to be an older name for Mycomicrothelia.
Genera/Families: Anthracothecium/Pyrenula
Notes: New names: Pyrenula sexluminata Aptroot (for Pyrenula quinqueseptata Aptroot nom. illegit.) and Pyrenula neosandwicensis Aptroot (for Anthracothecium sandwicense Zahlbr., since Pyrenula sandwicensis Zahlbr. is occupied); new combinations: Anthracothecium interlatens (Nyl.) Aptroot, Pyrenula breutelii (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot, Pyrenula ceylonensis (Ajay Singh & Upreti) Aptroot, Pyrenula fusispora (Malme) Aptroot, Pyrenula gibberulosa (Vain.) Aptroot, Pyrenula lyoni (Zahlbr.) Aptroot, Pyrenula papillifera (Nyl.) Aptroot, Pyrenula platystoma (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot, Pyrenula schiffneri (Zahlbr.) Aptroot, Pyrenula welwitschii (Upreti & Ajay Singh) Aptroot, and Sulcopyrenula subglobosa (Riddle) Aptroot.
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Abstract: The epiphytes on four Tilia trees in southern Belgium, which were studied by Barkman in 1952, were re-investigated in 1999 and 2011. In 1952, 19 species of epiphytes (including 12 lichen species) were recorded; in 1999, there were 65 epiphyte species (including 49 lichens), and in 2011, 53 epiphyte species (including 41 lichens) were found. The enor- mous increase in species between 1952 and 1999 is primarily attributable to colonization by additional species, which is an early stage of natural succession, whereas the reduction in species between 1999 and 2011 is most probably due to competition, the next step in the natural succession, when larger mosses and foliose lichens became dominant over crustose lichens and the whole bark surface had been covered by epiphytes. Global warming also may have influenced the species composition in the last decades.
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Notes: In Dutch.
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Keywords: Aptrootia/ lichen/ rainforest/ taxonomy/ Thelenella/ Thelenellaceae/ Thelocarpaceae/ Trypetheliaceae
Abstract: The species described in or referred to the genus Melanophloea, traditionally referred to the Thelocarpaceae, are discussed. Detailed observations on two species, including the type species, show that they have not much more in common than their polysporous ascus. Melanophloea is reduced to the type species, M. pacifica. It shows a close resemblance to Aptrootia in the Trypetheliaceae, and it is therefore tentatively referred to this family. Melanophloea americana is shown to be close to Thelenella in the Thelenellaceae. The latter species and the related M. montana are newly combined into this genus as Thelenella americana and T. montana. Thelocarpon nigrum, which was recently compared to Melanophloea, is retained in Thelocarpon in the Thelocarpaceae. Polyspory is suggested to facilitate dispersion, especially when compared to parent taxa that produce large muriform ascospores. Based on the current classification, polyspory originated at least 57 times within the lichenized ascomycetes, a clear example of convergent evolution. © 2012 British Lichen Society.
Notes: Thelenella americana (K. Knudsen & Lendemer) Aptroot and T. montana (P. M. McCarthy) Aptroot
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000035
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Abstract: Six new species of the genus Pyrenula are described as new to science from various countries in the tropics. Pyrenula borneensis is described from Borneo, P. endocrocea from the Philippines, P. hawaiiensis from Hawaii, P. rinodinospora from Papua New Guinea, P. rubrojavanica from Java, and P. thailandica from Papua New Guinea, India and Thailand.
Notes: New species: Pyrenula borneensis, P. endocrocea, P. hawaiiensis, P. rinodinospora, P. rubrojavanica, and P. thailandica (all names attributed to Aptroot).
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000254
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Notes: In Dutch.
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Abstract: The new species Placopyrenium bullatum is described from limestone in Turkey. It is characterized by the immersed ascomata, the areolate and bullate thallus, the often blackened exciple and the 1-septate ascospores. It resembles P. iranicum, but differs by the 1-septate ascospores, the dark exciple and the black mottled medulla.
Notes: New species: Placopyrenium bullatum Aptroot & Yazici
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000382
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Keywords: Indian subcontinent/ flora/ biogeography
Abstract: A first checklist of lichens from Pakistan is presented. The species list is annotated with synonymy, literature references and specimens. Eighty-six lichen species, mostly collected by the second author, are reported for the first time from the country. The total number of lichen species known from Pakistan is currently 368.
URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.13158/heia.25.2.2010.211
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Keywords: Caspian/ Gilan/ Golestan/ Hyrcanian/ new species/ Pyrenulaceae/ taxonomy
Abstract: The lichen Pyrenula minutissima is described as new to science from the Hyrcanian forests in northern Iran. In addition, three further, essentially tropical, Pyrenula species are reported for the first time from Iran. An identification key is provided for all eight Pyrenula species now known from Iran. © 2012 British Lichen Society.
Notes: New species: Pyrenula minutissima Aptroot, Valadbeigi & Sipman
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000023
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Countries/Continents: Europe/Spain
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Keywords: Community structure/ Core-periphery theory/ Dry season/ Environmental gradient/ Epiphytic richness/ Fagus sylvatica
Abstract: Latitudinal gradients that involve macroclimatic changes can affect the diversity of several groups of plants and animals. Here we examined the effect of a latitudinal gradient on epiphytic communities on a single host species (Fagus sylvatica) to test the core-periphery theory. The latitudinal span considered, covering two biogeographic regions, is associated with major changes in rainfall during the dry season. Because bryophytes and lichens are poikilohydric, we hypothesized that their species richness and composition might vary at different latitudes. We also speculated how epiphytic communities may respond to future climate change. The present study was carried out in Spain, and three latitudes that cover the distributional range of F. sylvatica were selected. The presence/absence and coverage of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes were identified on 540 trees (180 in each zone). We found consistent south to north change in the total richness and in the richness of bryophytes and of lichens separately, all of which tend to increase at higher latitudes due to the presence of several hygrophytic species. Epiphytic composition also differed significantly among the three latitudes, and the similarity decreased when the latitudinal span was greater. In addition, high species turnover was driven by the increased rainfall at higher latitudes. We conclude that epiphytic communities have a similar pattern to the predictors of the core-periphery theory from populations, and they suffer a great impoverishment in species richness at lower latitudes, coincident with the southern boundary of the F. sylvatica distribution. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.03.053
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URL: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84862315046&partnerID=40&md5=927aabfafacb2007e4c97ba50e889479
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URL: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84862304804&partnerID=40&md5=f51f836ccc1619390b4ae97905544f60
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URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000278
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Abstract: The name Myriospora Nägeli ex Hue (1909) is not legitimate, because of its earlier validation by Uloth (1861). The name Myriospora Nägeli ex Uloth (1861) is here typified on M. smaragdula (Wahlenb. ex Ach.) Nägeli ex Uloth. The names Silobia M. Westb. & Wedin and Trimmatothelopsis Zschacke which have been used for the Acarospora smaragdula group, are placed in synonymy with Myriospora as circumscribed here. Seven new combinations are made in Myriospora: M. dilatata (M. Westb. & Wedin) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. hassei (Herre) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. myochroa (M. Westb.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. rhagadiza (Nyl.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. scabrida (Hedl. ex H. Magn.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. tangerina (M. Westb. & Wedin) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, and M. versipellis (Nyl.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia. The new genus Caeruleum K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia is described to accommodate the species previously placed in Myriospora, necessitating two new combinations: C. heppii (Nägeli ex Körb.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia and C. immersum (Fink) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia.
Notes: New genus: Caeruleum K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia; new combinations: Myriospora dilatata (M. Westb. & Wedin) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. hassei (Herre) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. myochroa (M. Westb.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. rhagadiza (Nyl.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. scabrida (Hedl. ex H. Magn.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, M. tangerina (M. Westb. & Wedin) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, and M. versipellis (Nyl.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia, Caeruleum heppii (Nägeli ex Körb.) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia and C. immersum (Fink) K. Knudsen & L. Arcadia.
URL: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/philolichenum/biblio_detail.php?irn=276112
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Keywords: biomass/ bog/ fruit/ grassland/ heathland/ lichen/ moss/ recreational activity/ soil moisture/ spatiotemporal analysis/ species richness/ trampling/ vegetation cover/ woodland/ Norway/ Solendet Nature Reserve/ Sor Trondelag
Abstract: The vegetation of recreation areas will be affected by walkers, bikers, skiers and other users. For some activities a retrogressive development has been recorded as vegetation cover and height is reduced and a substantial loss of species richness and biomass may take place. Vegetation and soil in ecosystems with high soil moisture, such as fens, bogs and moist grasslands and woodlands are quite susceptible. Bog mosses Sphagnum spp. are particularly sensitive. The vegetation of heathland with a field layer of wooded species such as blueberry Vaccinium myrtilloides, lingonberry V. vitis-idaea, crowberry Empetrum spp. and heather Calluna vulgaris will also lose much of the cover along tracks and trails or areas that are heavily trampled or affected in similar ways, although the soil may mostly be intact. The same applies to lichen-dominated heathlands with reindeer mosses Cladonia spp. and snow lichens Stereocaulon spp. Vegetation on the moderately moist soils of dry and mesic open and wooded grasslands seems to be the most tolerant to these kinds of pressure. In addition to intensity, damage depends on temporal and spatial variation in usage and moisture. It also depends on differences in the resistance and resilience of the species present. Damage to recreation areas also affects the public's experiences and their feelings for the area. This article aims at giving an overview of the problem and reviewing some important research within the field, with particular emphasis on research in the rural Solendet Nature reserve in Roros and in Bymarka near the city of Trondheim, Central Norway. The effects of public use need to be taken into consideration by national and local authorities, especially in outdoor areas close to larger cities, and it calls for surveys of effects and for regulations of traffic.
Notes: In Norwegian with English abstract.
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Notes: In Swedish with English abstract.
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Keywords: antigenotoxicity/ antioxidant enzymes/ Umbilicaria vellea/ Xanthosomloensis
Abstract: In this study, the antigenotoxic and antioxidant effects of Umbilicaria vellea (UME) and Xanthosomloensis (XME) extracts were determined using sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei (MN) assays, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels against the effects of aflatoxin B
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0748233711416944
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Abstract: All the methanol extracts did not show mutagenic activity in Ames/Salmonella and Z. mays MI test systems. Furthermore, some extracts showed significant antimutagenic activity against 9-AA in Ames test system. Inhibition rates for 9-AA mutagenicity ranged from 25.51% (P. furfuracea-0.05 ?g/plate) to 66.14% (C. islandica-0.05 ?g/plate). In addition, all of the extracts showed significant antimutagenic activity against sodium azide (NaN 3) mutagenicity on MI values of Z. mays. © 2012 Allerton Press, Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3103/S0095452712050039
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Abstract: In the long-term absence of major disturbances ecosystems enter a state of retrogression, which involves declining soil fertility and consequently a reduction in decomposition rates. Recent studies have looked at how plant traits such as specific leaf mass and amounts of secondary compounds respond to declining soil fertility during retrogression, but there are no comparable studies for lichen traits despite increasing recognition of the role that lichens can play in ecosystem processes. We studied a group of 30 forested islands in northern Sweden differing greatly in fire history, and collectively representing a retrogressive chronosequence, spanning 5000 years. We used this system to explore how specific thallus mass (STM) and carbon based secondary compounds (CBSCs) change in three common epiphytic lichen species (Hypogymnia phsyodes, Melanohalea olivacea and Parmelia sulcata) as soil fertility declines during this retrogression. We found that STMs of lichens increased sharply during retrogression, and for all species soil N to P ratio (which increased during retrogression) was a strong predictor of STM. When expressed per unit area, medullary CBSCs in all species and cortical CBSCs in P. sulcata increased during retrogression. Meanwhile, when expressed per unit mass, only cortical CBSCs in H. physodes responded to retrogression, and in the opposite direction. Given that lichen functional traits are likely to be important in driving ecological processes that drive nutrient and carbon cycling in the way that plant functional traits are, the changes that they undergo during retrogression could potentially be significant for the functioning of the ecosystem. © 2012 Asplund et al.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049081
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Keywords: Cepaea hortensis/ Decomposition/ Gastropods/ Herbivory/ Secondary compounds/ Snails/ algae/ Cepaea hortensis/ Cyanobacteria/ Fungi/ Gastropoda/ Invertebrata/ Lobaria pulmonaria/ Lobaria scrobiculata/ Pulmonaria
Abstract: Epiphytic lichens can contribute significantly to ecosystem nutrient input because they efficiently accumulate atmospheric mineral nutrients and, in the case of cyanolichens, also fix nitrogen. The rate at which carbon and other nutrients gained by lichens enters the ecosystem is determined by lichen litter decomposability and by invertebrate consumption of lichen litter. In turn, these processes are driven by the secondary compounds present in senesced lichens. Therefore, we explored how lichen palatability and concentrations of secondary compounds change with tissue senescence for Lobaria pulmonaria, a green-algal lichen with cyanobacterial cephalodia, and Lobaria scrobiculata, a cyanobacterial lichen. During senescence both lichens lost 38-48 % of their stictic acid chemosyndrome, while m-scrobiculin and usnic acid in L. scrobiculata remained unchanged. Snails preferred senesced rather than fresh L. pulmonaria, while senesced L. scrobiculata were avoided. This provides evidence that species with labile secondary compounds will have higher turnover rates, through consumption and decomposition, than those producing more stable secondary compounds. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The British Mycological Society.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.funeco.2012.06.004
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Keywords: Lichen/ Microfauna/ Pollution/ Protozoa/ Rotifera/ Tardigrada
Abstract: Assemblages of lichen are served as the habitat and food resource for various microinvertebrates. The lichens' dwelling microfauna is of special interest regarding the maintenance of sustainable balance in terrestrial ecosystems. Little is known about microfauna consisting of protists and micrometazoa. The present study focused on the composition, diversity and distribution of microfauna in lichen Xanthoria parietina in Lithuania. Lichens were investigated beside highways and in unpolluted sites. The microfauna of X parietina were represented by 24 taxa. Two species of tardigrades, two species of testate amoebae and one species of gymnoamoebae that are new in Lithuania were founded. The study results revealed that dominating protozoa in lichen X. parietina are testate amoebae (genus Arcella) and ciliates (Colpoda, Paramecium). Philodina sp. (Rotifera), Aphelenchoides sp. (Nematoda) and Ramazzottius oberhaueseri (Tardigrada) were found to be dominant micrometazoa in X. parietina. The dominant protozoa (Colpoda cuculus, Paramecium sp. Arcella sp.) and micrometazoa (rotifers Philodina) didn't reveal the significant difference between polluted and unpolluted sites. Meanwhile the tardigrades were more abundant in unpolluted sites. Further studies on microfauna diversity using increased number of samples, sampling sites and estimating more environmental parameters can result in more distinct conclusions.
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Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are toxic compounds that have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probable or possible human carcinogens. Human exposure to PAH is usually assessed by considering data from a single air monitoring station as being representative of a large region; however, air pollution levels change on small spatial scales and thus also affect environmental exposure. The use of environmental biomonitors is a useful tool to assess the levels of PAH with high spatial resolution. The aims of this study were to (1) assess human exposure to PAH in a petrochemical region in Portugal, integrating data from environmental biomonitors (lichens), air, and soil in a regional area, and (2) determine the health risks associated with exposure to PAH with high spatial resolution. Bearing this in mind, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) equivalent concentrations in samples of soil, air, and lichens collected in the study region were used to assess human exposure through different pathways, including inhalation of air and soil particles, ingestion of soil, and dermal contact with soil. Human health risk was calculated through the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). BaP equivalent concentrations found in the region ranged from 6.9 to 46.05 ng BaPeq/g in lichens, from 16.45 to 162.02 ng BaPeq/g in soils, and from 0.02 to 0.16 ng BaPeq/m3 in air, indicative of high variability in this regional area. Human exposure to PAH varied between 976 and 42,877 ng BaPeq/d. When considering all exposure pathways, ILCR values were between 10-4 and 10-3. Considering only inhalation, ILCR values were between 10-6 and 10-5. The main risk seemed to arise from soil (either ingestion or inhalation of resuspended soil particles). The high spatial resolution of our environmental data allowed for detection of critical exposure levels at unexpected sites. Our results identified important areas where health studies on local populations need to be focused, and where environmental levels of PAH need to be monitored over time in order to protect human health. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2012.690685
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Notes: In Polish
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Keywords: Atranorin/ Gyrophoric acid/ Lichens/ Oxidative stress/ Parietin/ Usnic acid
Abstract: Lichens are a known source of approximately 800 unique secondary metabolites, many of which play important ecological roles, including regulating the equilibrium between symbionts. However, only a few of these compounds have been assessed for their effectiveness against various in vitro cancer models. Moreover, the mechanisms of biological activity of lichen secondary metabolites on living cells (including cancer cells) are still almost entirely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of four lichen secondary metabolites (parietin, atranorin, usnic acid and gyrophoric acid) on A2780 and HT-29 cancer cell lines. We found that usnic acid and atranorin were more effective anti-cancer compounds when compared to parietin and gyrophoric acid. Usnic acid and atranorin were capable of inducing a massive loss in the mitochondrial membrane potential, along with caspase-3 activation (only in HT-29 cells) and phosphatidylserine externalization in both tested cell lines. Induction of both ROS and especially RNS may be responsible, at least in part, for the cytotoxic effects of the tested compounds. Based on the detection of protein expression (PARP, p53, Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, Bax, p38, pp38) we found that usnic acid and atranorin are activators of programmed cell death in A2780 and HT-29, probably through the mitochondrial pathway. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2012.01.017
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Keywords: Kaliszak nature reserve/ Lichens/ Wyzyna Krakowsko-Czestochowska
Abstract: 43 lichen species were identified at the area of the Kaliszak Nature Reserve situated in the northern part of the Wyzyna Krakowsko-Czestochowska upland. The highest species diversity was observed in the South-Western part of the research area. Epiphytes, which constitute 53.5% of the reserve's lichen biota, are a predominant group of lichens.
Notes: In Polish with English abstract
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Keywords: Acidification/ Calcareous grassland/ Conservation/ Decalcification/ Eutrophication/ Vegetation
Abstract: Calcicole plant species are vulnerable to acidification and fertilization, caused by deposition and changes in land use, since they are adapted to nutrient-poor calcareous conditions. In this study we used vegetation data (vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens) from 1964 and 1985 and stored soil samples from 1966 to investigate long-term soil chemistry and vegetation changes in a semi-natural, sandy calcareous grassland in southern Sweden. In the re-investigation in 2008 we found that increased decalcification due to acidification could not be verified. The plant community had changed from stress-tolerant calcareous grassland towards a community promoted by higher nutrient availability. Furthermore, the cover of species indicating calcareous conditions had decreased. A decline in the cover of species adapted to alkaline, phosphorus-poor conditions may be due to increased nutrient availability, but there were also indications that the vegetation had changed due to overgrowth by woody plants. This long-term impoverishment of the plant community highlights the need for appropriate management of calcareous grasslands, in order to limit the nutrients available in the soil and prevent overgrowth by shrubs and trees. © 2012.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2012.03.003
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Keywords: Bioaccumulation/ Chlorophyll fluorescence/ Lichen/ Photosynthetic pigments/ Physiology
Abstract: Introduction: The changes in photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, protein content, and antioxidant enzymes were investigated in a foliose lichen Pyxine cocoes, which was subjected to increasing concentrations of arsenate. Methods: The arsenate concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 ?M were sprayed every alternate day on the lichen thallus. The thalli were then harvested on 10, 20, 30, and 45 days. Results: The quantity of photosynthetic pigments exhibited a decreasing trend till 20 days but increased from 30 days onwards. Concomitantly, chlorophyll fluorescence also showed a decreasing trend with increasing arsenic treatment duration as well as concentration. The higher concentration of arsenate was found to be deleterious to the photosynthesis of lichen as the chlorophyll fluorescence and the amount of pigments decreased significantly. The protein content of lichen increased uninterruptedly as the concentration of arsenate as well as duration of treatment increased. The activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxide increased initially at lower concentration of arsenate but declined at higher concentrations and longer duration of treatment. Conclusions: The catalase activity was found to be most susceptible to arsenate stress as its activity started declining from very beginning of the experiment. P. cocoes also proved to be an excellent accumulator of arsenate whose concentration increased in the thallus corresponding to its increase in the treatment and duration. Thus, it can be utilized for active biomonitoring of arsenic pollution. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0628-8
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Keywords: Arsenic/ Bioaccumulation factor (BAF)/ Chlorophyll stability index (CSI)/ Heavy metals/ Lichen indicator
Abstract: Ecological indicators can be used to assess the condition of the environment, to provide an early warning signal of changes in the surrounding environment or to diagnose the causes of an environmental problem. The study aims to evaluate the applicability of a common foliose lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl., as an indicator to evaluate the arsenic and heavy metal rich sites. The naturally growing lichen and its substratum (bark) were utilized to biomonitor the accumulation of arsenic (As) and other heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) in Chinsurah, a highly As contaminated area of West Bengal. Significantly higher levels of Al, Cr, Fe, Pb and Zn (p<0.01), Cd and Cu (p<0.05) were found in the lichens especially in samples collected from road sites. Higher As concentration (48.1±2.1?gg-1) in samples were found near the paddy field, indicating pesticide-herbicides as its source used in agriculture. The substrate exhibits lower concentration of most of the metals while Cr, Cd and Pb were below detection limit. As evident from the bioaccumulation factor most of the metals accumulated in lichen thallus are air borne. Chl a and Chl b concentrations decreased significantly with increasing distance from roadside whereas the carotenoid and protein showed an enhanced level. The chlorophyll stability index, chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid contents were found to be the most sensitive parameters to assess the vitality of lichen thallus against changing environment. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2012.06.001
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Keywords: Atmospheric pollution/ Biomonitoring/ Copper mine/ Heavy metals/ Lichens
Abstract: Lichen species (Hypogymnia physodes and Evernia prunastri) were used for biomonitoring the possible air pollution with heavy metals in the vicinity of copper mine in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The contents of 18 elements were analysed by ICP-AES and ETAAS techniques. For data processing basic statistical methods and multivariate exploratory (factor and cluster analysis) techniques were applied. Three geogenic and one anthropogenic group of elements were singled out from factor analysis. Maps of spatial distribution of elements from the anthropogenic group showed an increased content of the anthropogenic elements only in close vicinity to the mine. A maximum value obtained for Cu content was 130 mg/kg and for Pb content was 120 mg/kg. Lichen talus of the collected species showed high retention power for accumulation of the anthropogenic group of elements compared to moss species sampled from the same study area (r=0.86 and r=0.68). Here we show that lichens can be use as biomonitors for atmospheric distribution of anthropogenicintroduced elements.
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Abstract: Polarity based different solvent extracts (at four different conc.) of lichen, Roccella montagnei Bél. emend. Awas. (Roccellaceae) were screened for mosquito larvicidal activity against the 3rd instar larvae of the filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). The Dichloromethane (DCM) extract showed highest toxic effect and hexane extract showed least effect. DCM extract showed significant lowest ranges of LC50 126.16 at 24 h and 83.72 at 48 h. This study is the first to report on the larvicidal activity of crude extracts of R. montagnei lichen species against C. quinquefasciatus..
URL: http://www.discovery.org.in/PDF_Files/dd_20121203.pdf
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Abstract: In the area surrounding the Altbach/Deizisau power plant an area-based environmental monitoring programme was installed in 1983, using biological indicators and augmented by immission measurements and soil analyses. The approximate cause was the granting of approval in 1981 under immission-control law for the building of a new heat- and power station on the Altbach/Deizisau site. The programme continued on a voluntary basis till 1998, always adjusted to current questions in air pollution control strategy. In terms of a long-term observation of air pollution another two lichen mappings were carried out after the end of the monitoring programme in 1998 so that at present data are available for this area based on lichen mappings performed over the last 25 years. Since 1983 air quality always increased up to 2003. This positive development stopped in 2008 and currently the air quality is decreasing from a high level to a moderate level. But there are still zones with a high air quality level in the north-easterly part of the mapping area, respectively a low level in the southerly part. The influence of eutrophicating immissions is also increasing up to a moderate level. As a reaction, the lichen species promoted by these eutrophicating immissions are increasing, other species are displaced. This is primarily caused by changes in air pollution involving a decrease in SO
URL: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84860611065&partnerID=40&md5=91aeb1c44391582481c9aa290fedb854
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Keywords: Ascomycota, bacteria, endolichenic/ lichenicolous fungi, invertebrates
Abstract: Although various eukaryotic organisms, such as arthropods, endolichenic/lichenicolous fungi, and nematodes, have been isolated from lichens, the diversity and structure of eukaryotic communities associated with lichen thalli has not been well studied. In addressing this knowledge gap, we used bar-coded pyrosequencing of 18S rRNA genes to survey eukaryotes associated with thalli of three different lichen species. In addition to revealing an expected high abundance of lichen biont-related 18S genes, sequences recovered in our survey showed non-biont fungi from the Ascomycota also have a substantial presence in these thalli. Our samples additionally harboured fungi representing phyla (Blastocladiomycota, Chytridiomycota) that have not been isolated previously from lichens; however, their very low abundance indicates an incidental presence. The recovery of Alveolata, Metazoa, and Rhizaria sequences, along with recent work revealing the considerable bacterial diversity in these same samples, suggests lichens function as minute ecosystems in addition to being symbiotic organisms.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282911000648
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Keywords: Africa/ Density/ Epiphyte/ Miombo/ Richness/ Tree
Abstract: The vertical distribution of the density and richness of vascular and nonvascular epiphytes on some mature trees was studied in two 1 km2 plots in Miombo Woodland in Zambia (n = 20) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.) (n = 20). The aim was to assess the diversity of arboreal epiphytes and to investigate general distribution patterns of epiphytes along some individual mature phorophytes. Species richness was low on both sampling sites (24 in D.R.C. and nineteen in Zambia) with Orchidaceae being the richest family. Epiphyte density for both sampling plots was high with 92% of the available surface area being occupied. Lichens showed the highest density of 67.2% followed by moss 18.4%, orchids 7.9% and ferns 6.5%. Species richness and density showed a clear zonation within the canopy. Richness and density peaked in the upper and mid-canopy and was positively correlated with available surface area, branch aspect and to some extent bark pH, but not with bark texture. This study demonstrated that tree canopies can harbour a diversity of epiphyte species, and the findings constitute baseline information in such environments. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2012.01330.x
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Keywords: Depsides/ Depsidones/ Lichens/ Pharmacophore models/ Prostaglandin E2 synthase-1
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.201200345
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Abstract: In our earlier work, we demonstrated the presence of the multicopper oxidases tyrosinase and laccase in the cell walls of lichens from the Peltigerales, while these enzymes appeared to be absent in lichens from other orders. Likely roles for tyrosinase in lichens include melanin synthesis, the generation of quinones needed for laccase-mediated redox cycling, and the removal of harmful reactive molecules formed by this cycling. Non-Peltigeralean lichens will not need tyrosinase to detoxify laccase-generated radicals. However, many non-Peltigeralean lichens are often heavily melanized. Apparent absence of tyrosinase activity in these species prompted us to suggest that, in these lichens, melanins are probably synthesized by the polyketide pathway, which does not involve tyrosinase. Here, we surveyed intracellular tyrosinase activity in thallus homogenates from a range of lichens. Results showed that Peltigeralean species generally have much higher activities than species from other orders. However, the non-Peltigeralean lichen Dermatocarpon miniatum displays significant tyrosinase activity. In D. miniatum, tyrosinase differs from the corresponding enzyme from Peltigeralean lichens with respect to cellular location, substratum specificity, stability and pH optimum. Furthermore, unlike Peltigeralean lichens, in D. miniatum tyrosinase activity increased strongly following the rehydration of dry thalli. These differences are possibly a consequence of the role of tyrosinase in melanin synthesis rather than laccase-mediated redox cycling.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000394
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Keywords: Antioxidants/ Enzyme inhibitory kinetics/ Fermentation/ Lichen culture
Abstract: Context: Lichens have been used for various purposes such as dyes, perfumes and remedies in folk medicine indicating the pharmaceutical potential of lichens. Objective: Lichen growth in nature is very slow. To overcome this major drawback, we standardized the culture media to culture the lichen Usnea complanata (Müll.Arg.) Motyka (Parmeliaceae) for (1) in vitro synthesis of natural lichen substances, and (2) determination of antioxidative and cardiovascular-protective activity of usnic acid and psoromic acid. Materials and methods: Lichen U. complanata has been cultured in fermentor under submerged condition. Antioxidative and cardiovascular-protective activity of the extract and the purified lichen substances usnic and psoromic acid have been determined. Results: Except methanol, all other extracts exhibited antioxidative action in terms of free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) with a half-inhibiting concentration (IC 50) value of 22.86 to 25.0 ?g/mL, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (NORSA) 141.3 to 149.1 ?g/mL and for lipid peroxidation inhibition (LPI) 125 to 157.9 ?g/mL. Usnic acid or psoromic acid showed antioxidative action with IC 50 values ranging from 0.174 to 0.271mg/mL. Methanol and ethyl acetate extract showed hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl- CoA reductase (HMGR) inhibition of 65.18 to 74.81%. Only 43.47% inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was shown by methanol extract. Usnic acid showed noncompetitive type of HMGR inhibition and uncompetitive type of ACE inhibition. Psoromic acid exhibited competitive type of HMGR inhibition and mixed type of ACE inhibition. Discussion: U. complanata showed both cardiovascular-protective and antioxidant properties. The lichen species U. complanata may be a natural bioresource for possible pharmaceutical applications. © 2012 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2012.654396
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Abstract: This study presents data of eight Bulbothrix (Parmeliaceae, Lichenized Fungi) species containing norstictic or protocetraric acid in the medulla. The current species delimitations were confirmed. New synonyms are proposed, new characteriscts are detailed and range extensions are added.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.2.2522
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Keywords: marginal cilia, Hypotrachyna, gyrophoric acid, horrescens complex
Abstract: A worldwide key, based on the literature and specimens from SP herbarium, is presented for all 25 currently accepted species of Parmelinopsis
URL: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/webmedia.php?irn=850252
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Keywords: Axillary cilia, Parmelinella wallichiana, salazinic acid
Abstract: Canoparmelia cinerascens, a species previously included in the genus Canoparmelia is actually a member of the genus Parmelinella. As such, the new combination Parmelinella cinerascens (Lynge) Benatti & Marcelli is proposed here. The species is described in detail and an epitype is selected to aid interpretation due the poor condition of the holotype.
Notes: New combination: Parmelinella cinerascens (Lynge) Benatti & Marcelli
URL: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/philolichenum/biblio_detail.php?irn=276113
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Notes: New species: Bulbothrix pseudofungicola and Bulbothrix silicisrea.
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Abstract: The type collection of Parmelia goebelii (Bulbothrix goebelii) was discovered to be a mixture of several different Bulbothrix species. The true identity of B. goebelii is established and problems regarding the variability of this species discussed. The species B. papyrina, B. scortella and B. subdissecta, synonymized with B. goebelii by Hale, are resurrected as valid taxa. A detailed description of B. goebelii is presented, its lectotype is selected, and the characteristics of all four species discussed.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000436
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Keywords: Disturbance/ Diversity/ Ecuador/ Epiphytic macrolichens/ Tropical montane forest/ Disturbance/ Diversity/ Ecuador/ Epiphytic macrolichens/ Tropical montane forest/ Deforestation/ Fungi/ Secondary recovery/ Sun/ Vegetation/ Reforestation/ deforestation/ environmental disturbance/ epiphyte/ lichen/ montane forest/ species richness/ tropical forest/ alder/ Alnus acuminata/ article/ climate change/ controlled study/ deforestation/ Ecuador/ epiphytic microlichen/ lichen (organism)/ microclimate/ nonhuman/ plant growth/ priority journal/ species composition/ species diversity/ tropical rain forest/ vegetation/ Biodiversity/ Deforestation/ Ecuador/ Fungi/ Logging/ Plants/ Reforestation/ Sun Light/ Tropical Atmospheres/ Ecuador/ Alnus acuminata
Abstract: The high diversity of epiphytes typical of undisturbed montane tropical forests has been negatively affected by continuous deforestation and forest conversion to secondary vegetation. Macrolichens are an important component of these epiphytes. Because their physiology is strongly coupled to humidity and solar radiation, we hypothesized that microclimatic changes derived from forest clearing and logging can affect the diversity of these poikilohydric organisms. In southern Ecuador, we examined three types of forests according to a disturbance gradient (primary forests, secondary forests, and monospecific forests of Alnus acuminata) for the presence/absence and coverage of epiphytic macrolichens that we identified on 240 trees. We found that total richness tended to decrease when the range of the disturbance increased. The impoverishment was particularly drastic for "shade-adapted lichens", while the richness of "heliophytic lichens" increased in the drier conditions of secondary growth. Epiphytic composition also differed significantly among the three types of forests, and the similarity decreased when the range of the disturbance was greater. We concluded that a span of 40. years of recovery by secondary vegetation was not enough to regenerate the diversity of epiphytic macrolichens that was lost due to forest disturbances. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.09.072
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Keywords: cyanolichen/ Hawaii/ nitrogen fixation/ phosphorus/ tropical montane forest/ acetylene/ bioassay/ biogeochemical cycle/ community composition/ ecosystem structure/ fertilizer application/ lichen/ limiting factor/ montane forest/ nitrogen fixation/ population size/ Hawaii [United States]/ United States
Abstract: Low phosphorus (P) supply frequently has been shown to limit the abundance and activity of nitrogen (N)-fixing organisms, potentially constraining N inputs to ecosystems. Previous research in a montane Hawaiian forest has shown that ground-level P-fertilization led to significant increases in the population size of epiphytic N-fixing lichens (cyanolichens), as well as a shift in community composition from crustose to leafy species. In this study, we ask whether these changes in the cyanolichen community have resulted in increased N inputs to the forest, and also whether the very high levels of P in the canopy of P-fertilized forest stimulate individual lichen fixation rates over those of lichens from a nearby unfertilized reference forest. We used acetylene reduction (AR) assays to measure the fixation rates of 14 cyanolichen species from P-fertilized forest, and calibrated these rates by measuring15N2 fixation incorporation in four species. We found that the ratio of acetylene reduced to N fixed ranged from 2.4 ± 0.4 in Pseudocyphellaria crocata to 9.3 ± 2.4 in Leptogium denticulatum. Nitrogen fixation rates in the P-fertilized forest ranged from 0.64 ± 0.05 nmol N cm-2 h in Nephroma helveticum to 3.97 ± 1.48 nmol N cm-2 h in Parmeliella nigrocincta. Fixation rates did not vary greatly among species from P-fertilized forest. We compared these P-fertilized rates to those of 10 species from the reference forest, and found that mass-based fixation rates of P-fertilized lichens were not greater than those of lichens from the unfertilized forest. Using the measured AR rates, we estimate that the P additions increase cyanolichen N inputs to the forest 30-fold, from ?0.3 kg N ha y to ?9 kg N ha y. These results suggest that P additions to this ecosystem increase N inputs primarily by increasing the abundance of cyanolichens, and that shifts in cyanolichen community composition and changes in individual fixation rate were of lesser importance in determining ecosystem N inputs. © Copyright Cambridge University Press 2011.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0266467411000605
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Keywords: serine protease/ transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
Abstract: It has recently been discovered that lichens contain a serine protease capable of degrading the pathogenic prion protein, the etiological agent of prion diseases such as sheep scrapie and cervid chronic wasting disease. Limited methods are available to degrade or inactivate prion disease agents, especially in the environment, and lichens or their serine protease could prove important for management of these diseases. Scant information is available regarding the presence or absence of the protease responsible for degrading prion protein (PrP) in lichen species and, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that PrP degradation activity in lichens is phylogenetically-based by testing 44 species of Cladonia lichens, a genus for which a significant portion of the phylogeny is well established. We categorized PrP degradation activity among the 44 species (high, moderate, low or none) and found that activity in Cladonia species did not correspond with phylogenetic position of the species. Degradation of PrP did correspond, however, with three classical taxonomic characters within the genus: species with brown apothecia, no usnic acid, and the presence of a cortex. Of the 44 species studied, 18 (41%) had either high or moderate PrP degradation activity, suggesting the protease may be frequent in this genus of lichens. © 2012 British Lichen Society.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000102
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Abstract: The lichen compound usnic acid (UA) is a lipophilic weak acid that acts as a proton shuttle and causes loss of mitochondrial inner membrane potential. In the current study we show that UA treatment induced the formation of autophagosomes in human cancer cells, but had minimal effects on normal human fibroblasts. However, autophagic flux was incomplete, degradation of autophagosomal content did not occur and acidification was defective. UA-treated cells showed reduced ATP levels and activation of AMP kinase as well as signs of cellular stress. UA is thus likely to trigger autophagosome formation both by energy depletion and stress conditions. Our findings indicate that the H+-shuttling effect of UA operates not only in mitochondria as previously shown, but also in lysosomes, and have implications for therapeutic manipulation of autophagy and pH-determined drug distribution. © 2012 Bessadottir et al.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051296
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Notes: In Russian.
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Keywords: lichens, Hypogymnia physodes, stable isotopes, nitrogen, fractionation, Khangai Plateau, Mongolia
Abstract: Stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) have been determined in the organic matter (OM) of thalli of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. collected at 15 levels along an altitudinal gradient (1250–2928 m a.s.l.) in forest and alpine meadow communities of the Khangai Plateau, Mongolia. The results show that, in the study region as a whole, no correlation between the δ15N content and elevation is observed. However, the lichen OM within the mountain forest belt is depleted of the heavy 15N isotope as elevation increases (from 1250 to 2400 m a.s.l.), whereas in the alpine meadow belt (2500–2928 m a.s.l) it is enriched with this isotope. In addition, δ15N values in OM show an inverse dependence on the relative content of total nitrogen in the thalli.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1134/S1067413612030058
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Abstract: In Russian.
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Notes: In Russian with English title.
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Abstract: In Russian.
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Keywords: Atmospheric deposition/ Epiphytic/ Hypogymnia physodes/ Isotope/ Lichen/ Mercury/ Photochemical reduction
Abstract: Mercury (Hg) is a toxic heavy metal that is found associated with fossil fuel deposits and that can be released to the atmosphere during fossil fuel combustion and/or processing. Hg emitted to the atmosphere can be deposited to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems where it can be methylated by bacteria. Methylmercury is strongly biomagnified in food webs and this leads to toxic levels in high trophic level fish, the consumption of which is a major human exposure pathway. Epiphytic tree lichens have been widely used to investigate the relationship between atmospheric point sources of Hg and regional Hg deposition patterns. An intensive study of Hg concentration and stable isotopic composition of the epiphytic tree lichen Hypogymnia physodes was carried out in the area within 150km of the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) industrial developments. Concentrations of Hg were comparable to background values measured in previous studies from remote areas and were far below the values observed near significant atmospheric industrial sources of Hg. Spatial patterns provide no evidence for a significant atmospheric point source of Hg from the oil sands developments, and Hg accumulation actually decreases in lichens within 25km of the northern AOSR development, presumably due to physiological responses of H. physodes to enhanced SO2 deposition. Stable Hg isotope ratios show an increase in ?199Hg and ?201Hg within 25km of the AOSR, and we speculate that this is due to a change in the proportion of the various ligands to which Hg is bonded in the lichens, and a resulting change in the isotope fractionation during partial photochemical reduction and loss of Hg from lichen surfaces. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097760-7.00016-0
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Keywords: Image analysis/ Lichen biomass estimation/ Maritime Antarctica/ Non-destructive field methods/ Usnea species
Abstract: Ground macrolichens dominated by several species of fruticose Usnea spp. with foliose Leptogium puberulum constitute an important component of the terrestrial ecosystem of James Ross Island. Long-term monitoring of lichen communities in respect to their reaction to ongoing climatic changes in this part of Antarctica became a research task for scientists in recent years. The non-destructive estimation of lichen biomass provides data necessary for the management and protection of Antarctica. We have developed and tested the methodology of non-destructive estimation of biomass of fruticose Usnea species, which predominate in the ice-free tertiary basalt outcrop areas on James Ross Island. In 38 experimental squares (non-destructive measurements), the density and height of lichen thalli were measured and digital photography with ground cover evaluation was performed. Lichen biomass was harvested from 14 experimental squares and analysed for dry mass, chlorophyll a, b content, and thalli surface area (TSA). Predictive linear models were constructed from available non-destructively measured variables with the aim to maximize predictive accuracy for the destructively measured attributes. A total of 82. 3 % of variability in the TSA values was explained (87. 5 % for biomass determination). Cross-validated prediction error for lichen TSA estimation was 423 cm2 (11. 5 % of the average TSA). In the case of lichen dry mass determination, cross-validated prediction error was 4. 53 g m-2 (7. 3 % of the average dry mass). This study proves that macrolichens in maritime Antarctica can be monitored non-destructively by simple field methods combining digital photography and measurements of lichen thalli in botanical squares. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1197-0
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Abstract: The article reveals the issue of distribution of lichens life forms on different substrates, which are present in the Yelanetsko-Ingulskiy region. The largest number of life forms of the lichens is characteristic for granite outcrops, and the lowest – for gneisses. This fact is associated with features of substrate morphostructure and density, microclimatic conditions of different ecotopes in which lichens grow.
Countries/Continents: Ukraine/Europe
Notes: In Ukrainian with English abstract.
URL: https://www.phytomorphology.com/articles/the-life-forms-of-lichens-on-different-substrates-in-yelanetskoingulskiy-region-mikolayivska-and-kirovogradska-oblast-ukraine.pdf
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Abstract: Extreme winter warming events in the sub-Arctic have caused considerable vegetation damage due to rapid changes in temperature and loss of snow cover. The frequency of extreme weather is expected to increase due to climate change thereby increasing the potential for recurring vegetation damage in Arctic regions. Here we present data on vegetation recovery from one such natural event and multiple experimental simulations in the sub-Arctic using remote sensing, handheld passive proximal sensors and ground surveys. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) recovered fast (2 years), from the 26% decline following one natural extreme winter warming event. Recovery was associated with declines in dead Empetrum nigrum (dominant dwarf shrub) from ground surveys. However, E. nigrum healthy leaf NDVI was also reduced (16%) following this winter warming event in experimental plots (both control and treatments), suggesting that non-obvious plant damage (i.e., physiological stress) had occurred in addition to the dead E. nigrum shoots that was considered responsible for the regional 26% NDVI decline. Plot and leaf level NDVI provided useful additional information that could not be obtained from vegetation surveys and regional remote sensing (MODIS) alone. The major damage of an extreme winter warming event appears to be relatively transitory. However, potential knock-on effects on higher trophic levels (e.g., rodents, reindeer, and bear) could be unpredictable and large. Repeated warming events year after year, which can be expected under winter climate warming, could result in damage that may take much longer to recover.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0098847212000603
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Keywords: Autumn/ Empetrum nigrum/ Icing/ Snow/ Snow mould/ Winter/ arthropod/ carbon cycle/ climate change/ dicotyledon/ ecosystem response/ extreme event/ heathland/ landscape change/ lichen/ moss/ plant community/ polar region/ seasonality/ shrub/ snow cover/ soil biota/ snow/ animal/ arthropod/ article/ climate change/ cold/ ecosystem/ fungus/ growth, development and aging/ physiology/ plant/ season/ time/ Animals/ Arthropods/ Climate Change/ Cold Temperature/ Ecosystem/ Fungi/ Plants/ Seasons/ Snow/ Time Factors
Abstract: Winter climate and snow cover are the important drivers of plant community development in polar regions. However, the impacts of changing winter climate and associated changes in snow regime have received much less attention than changes during summer. Here, we synthesize the results from studies on the impacts of extreme winter weather events on polar heathland and lichen communities. Dwarf shrubs, mosses and soil arthropods were negatively impacted by extreme warming events while lichens showed variable responses to changes in extreme winter weather events. Snow mould formation underneath the snow may contribute to spatial heterogeneity in plant growth, arthropod communities and carbon cycling. Winter snow cover and depth will drive the reported impacts of winter climate change and add to spatial patterns in vegetation heterogeneity. The challenges ahead lie in obtaining better predictions on the snow patterns across the landscape and how these will be altered due to winter climate change. Copyright © Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 2012.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0310-5
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Notes: In German with English abstract.
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Abstract: The recently described lichen species Candelaria pacifica has been found at some sites in Aachen (North Rhine-Westphalia/Germany) and neighboring areas of Belgium and the Netherlands. The species is new at least for Germany. An isolated occurrence of the arctic-antarctic lichen Xanthomendoza borealis (= Xanthoria borealis) was found in the north-western Eifel Mountains (North Rhine-Westphalia/Germany) and appears to be the first record in Central Europe
Countries/Continents: Europe/Germany
URL: http://www.botanik-bochum.de/publ/OVBBV4_1_Bomble_Candelaria_pacifica_Xanthomendoza_borealis.pdf
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Keywords: Betula glandulosa/ Dendrochronological analysis/ Growth suppression/ Lichen woodland/ Tree-shrub interactions
Abstract: Expansion of deciduous shrub species in open subarctic landscapes has been reported at several locations around the circumpolar region. However, few data are available to evaluate the response of shrub species in forested ecosystems. For this study, we conducted a dendrochronological analysis to compare the establishment and growth of Betula glandulosa Michx. individuals prior to and after an experimental removal of tree cover (1987) in a lichen woodland located at the boreal forest
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/B11-089
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Abstract: Dryland vegetation is inherently patchy. This patchiness goes on to impact ecology, hydrology, and biogeochemistry. Recently, researchers have proposed that dryland vegetation patch sizes follow a power law which is due to local plant facilitation. It is unknown what patch size distribution prevails when competition predominates over facilitation, or if such a pattern could be used to detect competition. We investigated this question in an alternative vegetation type, mosses and lichens of biological soil crusts, which exhibit a smaller scale patch-interpatch configuration. This micro-vegetation is characterized by competition for space. We proposed that multiplicative effects of genetics, environment and competition should result in a log-normal patch size distribution. When testing the prevalence of log-normal versus power law patch size distributions, we found that the log-normal was the better distribution in 53% of cases and a reasonable fit in 83%. In contrast, the power law was better in 39% of cases, and in 8% of instances both distributions fit equally well. We further hypothesized that the log-normal distribution parameters would be predictably influenced by competition strength. There was qualitative agreement between one of the distribution's parameters (?) and a novel intransitive (lacking a 'best' competitor) competition index, suggesting that as intransitivity increases, patch sizes decrease. The correlation of ? with other competition indicators based on spatial segregation of species (the C-score) depended on aridity. In less arid sites, ? was negatively correlated with the C-score (suggesting smaller patches under stronger competition), while positive correlations (suggesting larger patches under stronger competition) were observed at more arid sites. We propose that this is due to an increasing prevalence of competition transitivity as aridity increases. These findings broaden the emerging theory surrounding dryland patch size distributions and, with refinement, may help us infer cryptic ecological processes from easily observed spatial patterns in the field. © 2012 The Authors. Oikos © 2012 Nordic Society Oikos.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0706.2012.20192.x
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Keywords: Bioclimatic model/ Climatic equilibrium/ Lichens/ Maximum entropy modelling/ Spatial distribution/ bioclimatology/ disjunct distribution/ hypothesis testing/ lichen/ maximum entropy analysis/ spatial distribution/ taxonomy/ uncertainty analysis/ North America/ United Kingdom
Abstract: Bioclimatic models assume that species distributions reflect their sensitivity to macroclimate, the so-called bioclimatic equilibrium. This has proven to be a controversial assumption. Here we perform a new test in the hypothesis of climatic equilibrium by comparing species' bioclimatic space between two independently derived spatial distributions in Britain and North America. A presence-only statistical model (MAXENT) was used to construct bioclimatic response surfaces for 25 lichens in North America. These models were then projected onto British climate space. We tested the following: (1) the statistical congruence between likelihood values for North American bioclimatic space projected onto Britain and species' observed British distributions, and (2) the extent to which the projection for a species matched its observed British distribution pattern better than the distributions for an alternative suite of species. In general, there is good evidence for bioclimatic equilibrium when comparing species distributions in North America and Britain. However, bioclimatic test 1 (statistical congruence) and bioclimatic test 2 (spatial matching) were failed by six (24% of cases) and four (16% of cases) species, respectively. Although there is general support for bioclimatic modelling in lichens, the species that failed a test of equilibrium would have been difficult to predict based on prior knowledge; however it may be explained by taxonomic uncertainty and (or) the existence of multiple correlated environmental drivers.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b2012-103
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Notes: In German.
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Abstract: The lichen Verrucaria finitima is formally described from calcareous rocks in the Alps. It belongs to a group of species with brown, areolate thalli, comparatively large perithecia, and small, widely ellipsoidal to almost globose ascospores. Its pycnidia differ from those of the other species of this group in having carbonised walls. Verrucaria fischeri is the correct name for the species previously known as V. tristis. New distribution data for Verrucaria poeltii are provided.
Countries/Continents: Europe
Notes: New: Verrucaria finitima Breuss & F.Berger (from Austria). Includes key to the V. fischeri group. In German with English abstract.
URL: http://www.univie.ac.at/oemykges/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Breuss_Berger_Verrucaria_finitima_%C3%96ZP21.pdf
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Abstract: Verrucaria marinomuralis, a maritime species of the sea-spray zone, previously known from Japan, is reported from seashore rocks in Brittany, France.
Countries/Continents: France/Europe
URL: https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/OestZPilz_21_0001-0003.pdf
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Abstract: Ten noteworthy lichen species (Hymenelia heteromorpha, Polyblastia abscondita, P. ardesiaca, Protoblastenia lilacina, Staurothele bacilligera, S. hymenogonia, Strigula porinoides, Thelidium fontigenum, T. umbrosum, and Verrucaria lacerata) are listed from Carinthia. Strigula porinoides is reported for the first time from Austria. Short notes on characteristics, ecology and distribution of the species are provided.
Notes: In German.
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Notes: In German with English abstract
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Abstract: A new lichenized ascomycete, Coenogonium wernerhuberi, is described from a hillside rainforest of southwestern Costa Rica. It is characterized by its hypophyllous growth, an inconspicuous, crustose thallus, small, wax-coloured apothecia, and long, fusiform ascospores. It is very similar to C. hypophyllum, from which it differs by having notably longer ascospores and smaller apothecia.
Notes: New species: Coenogonium wernerhuberi, Breuss & Neuwirth.
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Notes: In German with English abstract.
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Abstract: Anton Gisler (1820-1888) was an eminent scientist of the Canton of Uri (Switzer-land) in the 19th century. As a lichenologist he compiled the catalogue of lichens Lichenes Urienses, which recently was published on the website of the Naturalist Association of the Canton of Uri, www.flora-uri.ch. Distinguished by the richness of crustose lichens Gisler‘s Herbarium and the associated catalogue Lichenes Urien-ses are of greatest importance for the study of lichens and lichenicolous fungi in Switzerland. As a consequence his lichenological research requires urgent amendments to the actual works on the occurrence of lichens in Switzerland.
Countries/Continents: Switzerland/Europe
Notes: In German with English abstract.
URL: http://www.bryolich.ch/pdfs/meylania/Meylania_49_27_34_Buergi_Dietrich.pdf
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Keywords: Ochrolechia mexicana/ sterile crusts/ hiascic acids
Abstract: Notes on the discovery of several rare, reproductively atypical populations of Ochrolechia africana and O. arborea in eastern North America are presented. Sorediate fertile populations of the typically esorediate and fertile species O. africana were found in the Coastal Plain of southeastern North America. Conversely fertile sorediate populations of O. arborea, a species that is typically sterile and sorediate, were found in Maine and Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The unusual populations are described in detail and their geographic distributions mapped within the context of the reproductively typical populations of each species. A discussion of the labile nature of reproductive modes in Ochrolechia species is presented. The positive hypochlorite reaction in the amphithecial medulla and presence of 4,5-di-O-methylhiascic acid in the apothecia, together with the presence of lichexanthone in all tissues, point to a close relationship of O. arborea with O. mexicana.
URL: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/webmedia.php?irn=722466
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Keywords: Band ratios/ Biological soil crusts/ Covariates/ Land managements/ Land managers/ LandSat 7/ Micro-fungi/ Misclassification rates/ Misclassifications/ National parks/ Point data/ Random forests/ Soil map units/ Soil mapping/ Soil surfaces/ Spatial prediction/ Utah , USA/ Validation data/ Value added products/ Decision trees/ Mapping/ Soil surveys/ Soils
Abstract: Digital soil mapping can use data collected during soil survey efforts to produce value added products useful for land management. Using a digital soil mapping approach and point data from a recent soil survey update we modeled biological soil crust classes (communities of cyanobacteria, microfungi, lichens and mosses at the soil surface) in and around Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA. Modeling was performed with Random Forests. Using a validation data set the misclassification rate was 55%. Although high, the misclassification rate may be acceptable. Overall error results from misclassification between similar classes. Important covariates included soil map unit and Landsat 7 ETM band ratio 5/2. We anticipate that spatial predictions of BSC classes will be useful to land managers when evaluating range health in Canyonlands National Park. Such value added products support the use of digital soil mapping activities in traditional soil survey. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group.
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Keywords: Arsenic/ Bromine/ Caesium/ Lichen/ Mercury/ Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex
Abstract: The emission of volatile pollutants from the volcanic eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle complex (North Patagonia Andean Range) that started in June 4th, 2011, was investigated by bioindication means with the epyphytic fruticose lichen Usnea sp. The elemental composition of pooled samples made up with 10 lichen thalli were analysed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Eleven sampling sites were selected within the impacted region at different distance from the volcanic source. Five sites were selected as they were already sampled in a previous study prior to the eruption. Two other new sampling sites were selected from outside the impacted zone to provide non-impacted baseline sites.The elements associated with the lichen incorporation of particulate matter (PM) of geological origin were identified by linear correlation with a geochemical tracer (Sm concentrations). The elements associated with PM uptake were Ce, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Lu, Na, Nd, Sb, Sc, Se, Ta, Tb, Th, U, and Yb. Arsenic and Cs concentrations showed contributions exceeding the PM fraction in sites near the volcanic centre, also higher than the baseline concentrations, which could be associated with permanent emissions from the geothermal system of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle complex. The lichen concentrations of Ba, Ca, Co, Hg, K, Rb, Sr, and Zn were not associated with the PM, not showing higher concentrations in the sites nearby the volcanic source or respect to the baseline values either. Therefore, there is no indication of the emission of volatile forms of these elements in the lichen records. The lichen records only identified Br volatile emissions associated with the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle complex eruption in 2011. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.03.037
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Abstract: Puttea margaritella is reported new to eastern North America from a single collection from the Gaspé Peninsula of Québec, Canada and P. exsequens is reported as new to North America from a single collection from New Brunswick, Canada.
URL: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/webmedia.php?irn=802245
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Keywords: Chorology/ Cladonia/ Lichens/ SE Europe
Abstract: Field studies in the south of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia have revealed six lichen species new to Bosnia-Herzegovina: Cladonia cervicornis, C. conista, C. phyllophora, C. pulvinella, C. subcariosa and C. subrangiformis. Two species are new to Croatia: C. cryptochlorophaea and C. humilis.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5209/rev-BOCM.2012.v36.39438
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Keywords: herbarium/ lichens/ mycotoxins
Abstract: Fresh picked and herbarium thalli of Cladonia stellaris, C. rangiferina, Allocetraria nivalis, A. cucullata, Cetraria islandica, Peltigera canina, and Nephroma articum epigene lichens were studied using the immune-enzyme analysis. No big difference was observed in the contents of mycotoxin secondary metabolites, i. e., deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, zearalenone, alternariol, citrinin, sterigmatocystin, cyclopiazonic acid, mycophenolic acid, emodin, and PR-toxin. The discovery of these substances in the specimens preserved for several decades shows that lichens have an effective system of conservation of metabolic exchange products. © 2012 Allerton Press, Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3103/S0096392512030030
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Keywords: competitor/ morphology index/ ruderal/ stress-tolerator
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Abstract: As part of an ongoing inventory of the lichenized mycota of the Caxiuanã National Forest, at Ferreira Penna Research Station in the Brazilian Amazon, two species of lichenized fungi are described as new and four new combinations are introduced: Ampliotrema megalostoma (Müll. Arg.) M. Cáceres & Lücking comb. nov., Graphis brachylirellata M. Cáceres & Lücking sp. nov., Malmidea leucogranifera M. Cáceres & Lücking sp. nov., Ocellularia conformalis (Kremp.) M. Cáceres & Lücking comb. nov., Redingeria microspora (Zahlbr.) M. Cáceres & Lücking comb. nov., and Sarcographa megistocarpa (Leight.) M. Cáceres & Lücking comb. nov.
Notes: New species: Graphis brachylirellata M. Cáceres & Lücking and Malmidea leucogranifera M. Cáceres & Lücking
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0024282912000412
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Abstract: Banned pesticides such as HCB and p,p?-DDE, and other legacy and ongoing pollutants such as PCBs and PAHs, were measured in different vegetation types and soil samples collected at selected areas from Antarctic Peninsula (Deception and Livingstone Islands, Southern Shetlands). Two Antarctic expeditions (in 2005 and 2009) were carried out to assess POPs levels at remote areas, and close to current and abandoned Antarctic research settlements, to assess potential sources of pollutants. Overall, the patterns in lichens, mosses, and grass were dominated by low molecular PCB congeners and PAHs and the presence of HCB and p,p?-DDE rather than heavier compounds, suggesting the importance of long-range atmospheric transport of POPs as the main vector for the introduction of these chemicals to Antarctica. Statistically significant correlations (p-level < 0.05) between concentrations in vegetation of PCBs, p,p?-DDE, and the more volatile PAHs with lipid content were found with r2 of 0.22-0.52 for PCBs, 0.42 for p,p?-DDE, and 0.44-0.72 for the more volatile PAHs. Thus, lipid content is an important factor controlling POPs in Antarctic lichens, mosses, and grass. A strong significant dependence of HCB (r2 = 0.83), p,p?-DDE (r2 = 0.60), and PCBs (r2 = 0.36-0.47) concentrations in soil on its organic carbon content was also observed, indicating the important role of soil organic matter (SOM) in the retention of PCBs and OCPs in Polar Regions, where SOM content is low. Penguin colonies enhance the SOM content in some areas which is reflected in higher concentrations of all POPs, especially of persistent compounds such as p,p?-DDE. Higher concentrations of PCBs and PAHs found at the currently active Byers Camp (in an Antarctic Specially Protected Area) were explained by higher SOM content, thus indicating that Antarctic regulations are being successfully fulfilled in this small research area. On the other hand, PAHs in soils proximate to current Juan Carlos I research station show that even small human settlements are an important source of PAHs to the local environment. Therefore, even though the concentrations in Antarctica are low, there is evidence of local hotspots of contamination. © 2012 American Chemical Society.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es203425b
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