Cladonia litoralis is described as new to science. This conspicuous “cushion-like” lichen was found on granitic rocks in the rocky shore of Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. A description of the species is given together with notes on its chemistry, ecology and taxonomy. Related taxa are briefly discussed.

Microlejeunea strasbergii J. Bardat & C. Ah-Peng is described from Réunion Island. It differs from Microlejeunea africana Steph. in the larger lobule, the incurved distal margin of the lobe and the apical tooth of the lobule that is almost in contact with the distal margin of the lobe. The new species is described, illustrated, its IUCN status assessed, and an identification key for the genus is provided for the Mascarene archipelago (Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues).

In seed plants, populations located at the margins of species distributions are often characterized by reduced sexual reproduction and an increased reliance asexual reproduction. The degree to which this pattern applies to reproductive traits in haploid–dominant, non–seed plants was assessed in the Syrrhopodon involutus Schwaeg complex, a group of closely related tropical mosses with unisexual gametophytes. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was sequenced for samples from throughout the range of the Syrrhopodon involutus Schwaeg complex and a maximum likelihood analysis was performed on the sequence data to infer phylogenetic history. Reproductive data were collected from 270 herbarium vouchers representing at least 337 individuals, and analyzed to test for geographic or phylogenetic differences in sex expression and sexual reproduction. Female sex expression was significantly lower among marginally distributed individuals compared to individuals collected from areas central to the distribution of the complex, and the marginal group contained a higher proportion of non–expressing individuals. The proportion of male–expressing gametophytes was not significantly different between marginal and central areas. Despite the lower proportion of female–expressing gametophytes in marginally distributed individuals, the percentage of female–expressing gametophytes undergoing successful fertilization and producing sporophytes was not significantly different in marginal and central distributional areas. These results suggest that the availability of males constrains the production of sporophytes, not only at the margins of species distributions, but in central areas as well, and that geography exerts a disproportionate effect on male and female sex expression.

The generitype Syzygiella perfoliata and S. concreta share the same gross morphology but are only loosely related in molecular phylogenies. Based on an nrITS maximum likelihood phylogeny we identify accessions belonging to either the Syzygiella concreta or the S. perfoliata lineage. We use these DNA vouchers to recircumscribe both species and present morphological characters that allow for their identification. Differences have been seen in the development of the stem cortex, the insertion of the leaves, presence or absence of rudimentary amphigastria, size and shape of the leaf cell wall trigones, and papillosity of the leaf cuticle.

The west coast endemic, Blepharostoma arachnoideum, is so infrequently encountered that its status as a species distinct from B. trichophyllum has been held in doubt. Despite its rarity, it displays a consistent set of vegetative characters, which may be used to separate it from all forms of B. trichophyllum. Blepharostoma trichophyllum subsp. brevirete, a form that intergrades with typical subsp. trichophyllum, has often been confused with B. arachnoideum. Blepharostoma arachnoideum is presently known from only 25 sites from northwestern California to southwestern British Columbia. Mature perianths have only recently been found in B. arachnoideum and are illustrated here and compared with perianths of B. trichophyllum.

The new foliicolous lichen Coccocarpia melloniorum Lücking from the Philippines is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to C. epiphylla but differs in the formation of disc-shaped isidia and dark rhizines. The species was discovered as part of a type digitization project through the Global Plant Initiative (GPI), as part of a syntype collection of Leptogium phyllogenum f. subsinuatum Vain.

Events of the sexual reproductive cycle of 11 bryophyte species (mosses and liverworts with monoicous and dioicous sexual conditions) were described for two different sites (montane and sea level) of a Brazilian tropical rain forest, during a 15 month-period. The sex expression of many species was continuous over the whole period, irrespective of the seasons and the forest sites. The specific sexual conditions of dioicous species did not change, but synoicous species had strategies to increase the chances of out-crossing, bearing unisexual branches in addition to bisexual ones. The pattern of gametangia and sporophyte development was different among the species, but the same between the sites. There was a seasonal effect on the maturation of gametangia and sporophytes. Male gametangia were mostly mature by the end of the dry season. Fertilization occurred during the wettest months and sporophytes developed during the dry season, dispersal of spores mostly towards the end of the dry season. Female gametangia were receptive over the whole period, with many mature gametangia before the start of the rainy season. Male gametangia, in contrast to female, took longer to develop and aborted in high numbers. Bryophytes in tropical rain forests are favored by wet weather and mild temperatures. Similar reproductive phenological patterns were found in different habitats with minor variations.

A survey of epiphytic bryophytes within a tree was conducted in lower montane rainforest at 2400 m in the Peruvian Yungas. The Weinmannia sp. host tree supported 110 species (77 hepatics, one hornwort and 32 mosses). To our knowledge, this is the highest single-tree bryophyte species richness reported to date. We used Johansson zones (lower trunk, upper trunk, mid-crown, mid-outer crown and outer crown) to stratify our sampling and found that the greatest species richness and abundance was on the upper trunk and large branches of the mid-crown. Hepatics, and the Lejeuneaceae in particular, were dominant in all five Johansson zones of the tree. The mid-crown had higher radiation intensity than the dark lower trunk while still having high relative humidity. Non-metric multidimensional scaling indicated the presence of four communities: an outer crown, a mid to mid-outer crown, an upper trunk and a lower trunk community. The outer crown supported only two moss species along with 35 hepatics, which included 17 high-light tolerant hepatics. The climate data suggested that this pattern was due to higher irradiation and exposure. More bryological work is needed in these poorly catalogued montane forests of the Peruvian Andes, which are under multiple threats that include forest clearing and climate change.

The new species Bucklandiella araucana Larraín is described from southern Chile. It is characterized by its small size, epilose, almost cucullate leaves, lack of a differentiated basal marginal row of pellucid and straight-walled cells, bistratose and dorsally flat costa at midleaf, smooth to slightly bulging lamina cells, unistratose leaf lamina with scattered bistratose spots at distal margins, undivided, prong-like peristome teeth, and deeply lobed calyptra. The species seems to be an endemic of the volcanic range of the western slopes of the southern Andes (39–42°S), where it grows in Nothofagus forests and open lava fields on the hillsides of the many active volcanoes of the area. Molecular data support the distinctiveness of this new taxon and identify Bucklandiella araucana as sister to B. curiosissima, B. didyma, and B. emersa. A distribution map and illustrations of the new species are presented. The phylogenetic perspectives of our novel molecular results are discussed.

Trichocolea japonica is described as a new species from central Japan, characterized by regular branching habit, massive verrucae on the surface of the leaf cilia, and linear to semiannular thickenings in the epidermal cells of the capsule wall.

The status of the three taxa belonging to Timmia section Norvegica has not yet been satisfyingly resolved, despite several studies during the last ca. 30 years. In this study, relationships among specimens matching T. norvegica, T. comata and T. sibirica morphologies were inferred from a portion of the nuclear 26S and the chloroplast loci trnL-trnF and atpB-rbcL. Maximum parsimony analysis provided high support for the monophyly of Timmia section Norvegica, T. comata, and a clade comprising T. sibirica and T. norvegica, whereas the relationships among specimens with morphologies of the latter two taxa could be resolved only by means of haplotype networks. The haplotype network based on 26S separates T. sibirica from T. norvegica, whereas the two chloroplast markers do not. Based on the 26S differences and morphological evidence, T. sibirica and T. norvegica are considered different at the species level. Timmia comata is resolved in a haplotype network separate from that of T. norvegica plus T. sibirica. The combination with the high bootstrap support of the clade with T. comata specimens and their morphological distinctness from T. norvegica strongly supports their recognition as a distinct species.

The present contribution is part of an extensive revision of Pannariaceae in southern South America Nothofagus forests. Pannaria byssoidea is described as new to science from this area. The morphology, anatomy and chemistry of collections, including type specimens from Argentina, Chile and New Zealand were studied. The specimens from southern South America differ from those from New Zealand, and are here accommodated in a new species, P. byssoidea. The new species differs from P. implexa mainly in two characters: spore anatomy and medullary substance. The South American P. byssoidea is characterized by an orbicular squamulose thallus, surrounded by a thick byssoid prothallus, ellipsoid to subglobose ascospores, with roughened perispore, and the presence of leprolomin as medullary substance. Pannaria implexa is considered endemic to New Zealand, and is characterized by the ellipsoid ascospores, with a halonate perispore, and the presence of pannarin as medullary substance. Both species are illustrated and notes on their taxonomy, distribution and ecology are given.

In this paper we reassess 482 collections of the lichen genus Graphis from Everglades National Park using the recent world key of Lücking and co-workers as the principal reference. We report a total of 31 species present in the Park. Of these, three species, Graphis brittoniae, G. elevata and G. hinnulea, are described as new to science. In addition, the following eleven species are newly reported from North America: Graphis analoga Nyl., G. cincta (Pers.) Aptroot, G. chlorotica A. Massal., G. crebra Vain., G. dendrogramma Nyl., G. filiformis Adaw. & Makhija, G. furcata Fée, G. modesta Zahlbr., G. neoelongata Zenker, G. renschiana (Müll. Arg.) Stizenb. and G. supracola A. W. Archer. Each species is described and discussed based upon Park collections. Notes concerning some species previously known from North America are also included where new or interesting information can be added to the literature. Conversely, species well documented elsewhere where we have nothing to add are excluded from that section. Graphis chlorotica, also new to North America but collected from outside the Park, is treated here since the key would be incomplete with its omission. Photos of all 32 species are provided including the degree of excipular carbonization. A key is provided for all species of Graphis known to occur in Florida.

Fissidens pseudoplurisetus is described and illustrated from the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil. The species belongs to subgenus Aloma and is similar to F. leptophyllus. The distinguishing features of the species include: bryoides type costa; scariosus type peristome; bi-to tristratose limbidium on all laminae; mammillose laminal cells; polysetose habit; and, cylindrical thecae.

Work on a catalogue of the Grimmiaceae in g revealed that the typification of Grimmia cribrosa Hedw. [≡ Coscinodon cribrosus (Hedw.) Spruce] was problematic. The specimen in g that was previously treated as the holotype for this name does not constitute original Hedwig material and could not have been seen by him when originally describing this species as it was collected after he died. The original Hedwig herbarium sheet for Grimmia cribrosa, in the Hedwig-Schwägrichen collection in g, contains eight different elements of different temporal and geographic origins as well as specimens of two different taxa (C. cribrosus and Grimmia plagiopodia Hedw.). To ensure the correct interpretation and application of this name a lectotype has been proposed herein from amongst the elements on the original Hedwig herbarium sheet in g.

Biological soil crusts are ecosystem engineers in arid and semi-arid habitats; they affect soil chemistry, stability, and vegetation. Their ecosystem functions may vary depending on species composition; however, lichen species diversity is poorly known in the Pacific Northwestern drylands of North America. We sampled 59 random and 20 intuitive plots throughout central and eastern Oregon identifying 99 lichen taxa, 33 of which occurred in only one plot and seven of which were new to Oregon (Acarospora obpallens, A. terricola, Catapyrenium psoromoides, Placidium fingens, P. pilosellum, P. yoshimurae and Psora luridella). We compile records from herbaria and other studies to evaluate the rarity of observed species and potentially rare species known from nearby locations. We conclude that 37 species are likely rare or uncommon in our study area. Many of these appear to be associated with calcareous substrates. We model occurrences in relation to climate and soil variables for four uncommon lichen species: Acarospora schleicheri, Fuscopannaria cyanolepra, Rhizocarpon diploschistidina, and Texosporium sancti-jacobi. Based on climate and soil variables, we map regions of Oregon that may support new populations of these species and overlay habitats unsuitable for biotic crusts due to development and agriculture. These species, except Fuscopannaria cyanolepra, are strongly associated with the fine soils along the Columbia and Treasure Valleys that are most intensively used for agriculture. We anticipate that our summaries will further the understanding of lichen component of biological soil crust communities in eastern Oregon and suggest focal species for future conservation efforts.