The community structure of saxicolous lichens on 73 rock faces within a 4-kilometer radius of the active fumarole of Mt. Tokachi, Hokkaido, Japan, was investigated. Within the 545 samples collected, 89 lichen taxa were recognized. The number of species in each quadrat was highly affected by distance from the fumarole compared to the other seven environmental factors examined. Ordination (canonical correspondence analysis, CCA) also showed that distance from the fumarole was the strongest factor for the first axis, while uncommon species were recognized as being closer to the fumarole. Neighboring species analysis indicated three major colonizing groups: 1) stress endurable or clinging species, 2) transitional colonizers, and 3) later colonizers. Some species such as Micarea sp.1, Lecanora sp.1, and Lecanora polytropa colonize stressful habitats with less competition. The early stage of colonization in these areas appears to be facilitated by locating adjacent to the first colonizer.

The Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach. complex has a world-wide distribution. The thalli are highly variable both morphologically and chemically, with various β-orcinol depsidones being produced as secondary medullary compounds. In the present study a new, rare chemotype containing cyclographin was detected by HPLC analyses. The aposymbiotically grown mycobionts, isolated from the different chemotypes (containing protocetraric, hypoprotocetraric, norstictic/ salazinic/consalazinic, and cyclographin/virensic acids) exhibited a relatively stable chemical profile in culture; the same or closely related secondary metabolites were biosynthesized under variable culture conditions. In one case, exposure of the culture to a particular set of growth parameters repeatedly led to the production of cyclographin as a major compound. The metabolites present in the Ramalina farinacea complex could be classified as an extended chemosyndrome of biochemically and biosynthetically related depsidones. The new chemotype also differs in morphology, exhibiting a long stranded growth form rather than the more tufted thallus typical of the protocetraric acid chemotype. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of Ramalina, including the most common and the rarest chemotype (the protocetraric acid and cyclographin/virensic acid chemotypes, respectively), suggested monophyly of this species, and its placement in a clade of chemically diverse Ramalina species.

Three lichen transplant experiments examined the effect of height in the canopy on the growth rates of four lichen species, using the Wind River Canopy Crane in an old-growth Pseudotsuga-Tsuga forest in the Cascade Range of southern Washington. A total of 40 to 100 transplants were used for each species, and growth was measured over a one-year period. We then compared the vertical profiles of growth rates to the vertical profiles of natural abundance. The vertical pattern of abundance of Letharia vulpina more or less corresponded with the vertical pattern in growth rates. The other two species for which we had vertical profiles in both abundance (realized niche) and growth of transplants (fundamental niche) showed some potentially important discrepancies between the two niche spaces. Usnea peaked in abundance at the highest levels in the canopy, but appeared to reach a maximum growth rate at about 30 m. The treetop environment is evidently ideal for Usnea, and its capacity for rapid growth suggests that it is a vigorous competitor. Lobaria oregana peaked in abundance at 25–30 m, while its growth rates were maximal considerably higher in the canopy, at 40–45 m. We must conclude that some aspect of establishment or competition has a pronounced negative effect on L. oregana above about 35 m in the 65-m-high canopy. Further experiments are needed to test the hypotheses that these cyanolichens fail in the upper canopy because of competition, or that they fail by an inability to tolerate rare microclimatic extremes, such as low temperatures.

The new species, Fuscopannaria globigera Fryday & P. M. Jørg, is described, Catillaria jemtlandica is transferred to Megalaria with Lecidea sublimosa included as a synonym, and Pyrenocollema bryospilum is transferred to Collemopsidium. Epigloea medioincrassata and Lecidea haerjedalica are recorded for the first time from North America and Arthonia lapidicola, Caloplaca spitsbergensis, C. variabilis, Dactylospora deminuta, and Rhizocarpon lecanorinum are documented for the first time from Alaska.

We studied the chemistry and morphology of the Moroccan Usnea collections in R.-G. Werner's herbarium (bc-Herb.Werner). Seven taxa we believe have now been correctly identified and the collections annotated: Usnea dasaea, U. esperantiana, U. glabrata (undetected by Werner), U. lapponica, U. subscabrosa, U. substerilis, and U. wasmuthii. Among these taxa, Usnea dasaea, U. esperantiana, U. glabrata, U. subscabrosa, and U. wasmuthii are here reported from Morocco for the first time. The nomenclature of an additional three taxa has been updated: Usnea filipendula, U. mutabilis, and U. subfloridana. Five taxa have been excluded because they were misidentified: Usnea articulata var. intestiniformis, U. ceratina var. subceratina, U. florida subsp. pseudostrigosa, U. fulvoreagens, and U. hirta. Intraspecific chemical variability was found in Usnea subfloridana and U. substerilis. The specificity of lichen substances is shown to be an essential tool for the identification of Usnea species, and the value of morphological characteristics in the delimitation of the species is discussed.

Sphagnum macrophyllum, S. pylaesii, and S. cyclophyllum are morphologically atypical in the genus Sphagnum and their systematic placement has been a source of controversy. The first is generally classified in the mono-specific section Isocladus, and the second as section Hemitheca. Sphagnum cyclophyllum is classified in the section Subsecunda, but several authors have hypothesized a close relationship between all three species. Nucleotide sequences from eight nuclear and chloroplast loci were obtained to test hypotheses about relationships among these taxa. Phylogenetic analyses resolve these species (along with S. microcarpum, closely related to S. cyclophyllum) in a well-supported monophyletic group within the section Subsecunda. Sphagnum macrophyllum is sister to S. cyclophyllum, S. microcarpum, and S. pylaesii. Sphagnum cyclophyllum and S. microcarpum form a clade that is sister to S. pylaesii. Two mutually monophyletic groups of populations are resolved within S. pylaesii, one including the European populations and the other including populations from eastern North America and South America. The European populations are almost identical at the nucleotide sequence level whereas the American populations are genetically diverse. Short, delicate pseudopodia; exceptionally large opercula; and an absence or near absence of pseudostomata appear to be synapomorphies for the clade containing S. macrophyllum, S. microcarpum, S. cyclophyllum, and S. pylaesii.

Re-examination of the voucher collections upon which the records of Racomitrium aciculare (Hedw.) Brid. in China have been based revealed that they actually represent epilose ecads of R. japonicum Dozy & Molk., characterized by elliptic leaves with broadly rounded, obtuse or minutely apiculate apices. Accordingly, R. aciculare is excluded from the bryoflora of mainland Asia. The occurrence of R. aciculare in South Africa is also commented on and it is shown that this record is the result of misinterpretation of the type material of Grimmia pseudoacicularis Müll. Hal. and is actually conspecific with Racomitrium lamprocarpum (Müll. Hal.) A. Jaeger, not R. aciculare.

Bryophytes are important primary producers in mountain streams and they should be protected against the adverse effects of the high levels of UV-B radiation typical of these environments. The accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds could be one of the mechanisms of protection. A survey of methanol-extractable UV-absorbing compounds (MEUVAC) was conducted for 14 aquatic bryophytes, 10 mosses, and four liverworts, from a mountain stream located at 2,000 m elevation. For four species, several populations were investigated. Absorbance spectra between 250 and 400 nm were obtained and the amount of MEUVAC was calculated per unit of both dry mass (DM) and surface area. Levels of MEUVAC and the absorbance spectra of UV radiation were significantly affected by species. The high levels of MEUVAC and the clearly hump-shaped spectra in the UV-B and UV-A wavelengths (280–400 nm) that were found in the liverworts contrasted with the low levels and non hump-shaped spectra generally found in the mosses (except for Polytrichum commune). Sclerophylly and intraspecific variability only had a modest influence on the results. It may be concluded that the accumulation of MEUVAC might represent a protecting mechanism against UV-B radiation in the four liverworts studied, but rarely in the mosses of this stream.

A new endemic moss from California is described and illustrated. The heterophyllous leaves and weakly cladocarpous growth pattern in crescent shaped cushions are distinctive features for this species. Although morphologically distinct from Orthotrichum, phylogenetic inferences based on variation in nucleotide sequences of the rbcL gene (cpDNA) suggest this species to be a member of Orthotrichum. Review of Orthotrichum specimens from California herbaria concluded that this species had not been collected previously. Orthotrichum kellmanii is currently restricted to a narrow band of sandstone outcrops on ridges overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

ITS1 and ITS2 sequences and a morphological analysis confirm the position of the Andean species Kingiobryum paramicola H. Rob. within the Pottiaceae and the genus Didymodon. It is closely related to Didymodon australasiae and D. umbrosus. A new combination is proposed: Didymodon paramicola (H. Rob.), comb. nov.

Lecanora burgaziae, a new epiphytic species, is described from central Spain. It belongs to the Lecanora varia group with amphithecial cortex, and is closely related to L. densa and L. varia by the presence of psoromic acid and a distinctly thickened amphithecial cortex. The major differences are in thallus color, apothecia appearance and shape, and spore size. Lecanora burgaziae has a green thallus and greenish to slightly brown apothecial disc. Additionally, it has a thin apothecial margin and average spore size interval that does not overlap with other species in the group. We also included the first report of Lecanora coniferarum, L. densa, and L. laxa in Europe. A synopsis of the species of Lecanora varia group with amphithecial cortex in Spain is presented. Descriptions, notes on the ecology and distribution, and a key to the 10 species recognized in Spain are included.

North American collections previously referred to the genus Gongylia Körb. are re-assessed. The collection previously referred to G. muscorum Zschacke is shown to be an undescribed species of Protothelenella Räsänen, for which the name P. pluriseptata Fryday is proposed, and the collection previously referred to G. nadvornikii Servit is shown to be referable to Segestria mammillosa Th. Fr., which is reported for the first time from Alaska and the North American Arctic. As a result, Gongylia muscorum and Sagediopsis barbara (Th. Fr.) R. Sant. & Triebel, which is the correct name for G. nadvornikii, should be removed from the North American flora.

Gyalideopsis moodyae Lendemer & Lücking, a new species from eastern North America belonging to the G. muscicola group, is described. It is separated from other species in the group by its apothecial morphology, hyphophore type, and small 3–5 transversely septate spores.

Strepsilejeunea boliviensis Steph., a rare species endemic to Bolivia, bears eplicate perianths, emarginate to shortly bilobed apices of underleaves, and usual presence of blunt second tooth of the leaf lobule. It is transferred to the genus Lejeunea, primarily based on the large leaf cells and proximal hyaline papilla.

As part of an ongoing lichen biodiversity inventory in Costa Rica, we present a survey on the taxonomy of the basidiolichen genus Dictyonema. Two species are described as new: D. melvinii Chaves, Lücking, & Umaña (also known from Colombia and Bolivia), and D. minor Lücking, Navarro, & Sipman (also known from Colombia and Venezuela). A total of 11 taxa are reported from the country, comprising six species and an additional five forms. Our numerous collections suggest that foliose and crustose growth forms, although having similar thallus anatomy, do represent distinct taxa. However, since molecular data to test this hypothesis are missing for this genus, for the time being we follow E. Parmasto in distinguishing these morphotypes at the level of forma. A key is presented to all species and forms.