Based on molecular data, a new species, Myriolecis altunica, is described, and Lecanora caesioalutacea is placed in the genus Myriolecis (Lecanoraceae, Ascomycota). Myriolecis altunica is characterized by having a continuous, ashy brown thallus, with lobulate margins, apothecia with blackish disc and margin, with the disc whitish pruinose, and the absence of secondary substances. Myriolecis caesioalutacea has an ashy gray thallus and heavily pruinose, almost white apothecia, and contains xanthones (2,7-dichlorlichexanthone). The species was first reported as Lecanora caesioalutacea H.Magn. from Gansu, China, but is here shown to belong in the genus Myriolecis. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS separately and on a 6-locus combined analysis (ITS, LSU, mtSSU, RPB1, RPB2, MCM7) both support placement of these two species in Myriolecis. The taxa are described and illustrated, and their distribution and ecology are briefly discussed.

Habitat changes caused by large deer populations can affect epiphytes on trees through altered microenvironments. We hypothesized that the effect of deer activities on epiphytes differs according to the host tree species and the type of management strategy. To test this hypothesis, the changes in epiphyte diversity were examined on Mt. Odaigahara (Japan), where debarking by Sika deer (Cervus nippon) has caused forests in the eastern part (Picea trees) to decline and the tree trunks have been wrapped with wire mesh to protect them from debarking. In contrast, the forests in the western part (Fagus or Symplocos trees) were less influenced by deer debarking and wire mesh has not been used for protection. A comparison of epiphyte diversity between 1983 and 2008 revealed that the species richness and cover of epiphytes on Picea trees significantly decreased with decreasing dominance of bryophytes with hygrophilous morphological characteristics (hygrophilous life forms). The significant decrease can be explained by both increased drought stress due to tree dieback by deer debarking and metal poisoning from the wire mesh used for tree protection. In contrast, species richness of epiphytes on Fagus trees increased while the cover decreased significantly. These changes may be associated with the drought stress due to the loss of vegetation caused by deer herbivory, which facilitates the new establishment of xerophilous species while decreasing the total epiphyte cover. Unlike epiphytes on Picea and Fagus trees, those on Symplocos trees showed the smallest change between 1983 and 2008. Given that the lowest dominance of hygrophilous life forms was observed on Symplocos trees in 1983, the forest interior could have been drier; hence, drought stress resulting from loss of vegetation by deer herbivory may exert less influence on the epiphytes. Based on these results, the response of epiphytes to deer activities varies according to the host tree species and the presence of protective wire mesh. These differences should be considered when evaluating the influence of deer on epiphyte diversity, and appropriate measures should be implemented for their conservation.

The monitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition is necessary considering that this kind of environmental pollution is among the leading causes of global biodiversity loss. However, deploying and operating monitoring networks can be cost-prohibitive; the use of naturally occurring biomonitors can be a viable alternative for characterizing such nitrogenous pollution, with bryophytes being of particular promise. For instance, a previous dose-response greenhouse experiment evaluating potential biomonitors of different life-forms revealed that the activities of the enzymes phosphomonoesterase and nitrate reductase respond linearly to simulated nitrogen deposition for the generalist neotropical moss Braunia secunda. The present work is the field validation of B. secunda and Leptodontium pungens, a specialist of oak forests, as biomonitors of nitrogen deposition. Moss samples were collected during the 2009 dry and rainy seasons from fir and oak forests at “low-pollution” or “high-pollution” sites within the Valley of Mexico, where the megalopolis of Mexico City is located, and transported to the laboratory for colorimetric determinations of enzymatic activity. The phosphomonoesterase activity was consistently higher for both mosses from the high-pollution sites than for the low-pollution sites, while the nitrate reductase had a lower activity for the plants collected from the high-pollution sites. These results suggest that the proposed biomonitors are appropriate for the region of study.

Sculptolumina yunnanensis, a saxicolous lichenized fungus in the family Caliciaceae, is described as new from Yunnan, China. Its morphological characters include: ocher and epilithic thalli, pseudolecanorine or lecideine and sessile apothecia, flat and epruinose apothecial discs, Mischoblastia-type ascospores with funnel-shaped cell lumina and filiform conidia. This is the second saxicolous species in the genus Sculptolumina. A molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed for Sculptolumina, including S. japonica and S. yunnanensis, for the first time. A multilocus phylogeny of Buellia s.l. revealed that Sculptolumina forms a monophyletic clade with high support, and S. japonica and S. yunnanensis have a sister relationship within this clade.

In the past decade Graphidaceae has stood out as one of the families with the highest number of newly described species in Brazil. In this paper we describe further five new species of Graphidaceae found in an enclave of humid forest (Brejo de Altitude) in the Caatinga, and in the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil: Chapsa inspersa E.L.Lima & Lücking, differing from C. dissuta in the inspersed hymenium and larger ascospores with more numerous septa; Cryptoschizotrema minus E.L.Lima & Lücking, differing from C. schizotrema in the distinctly smaller ascospores; Diorygma sophianum E.L.Lima & Lücking, differing from D. junghuhnii in the laterally carbonized excipulum and the slightly larger ascospores, as well as the presence of lichexanthone; Graphis subfiliformis E.L.Lima & Lücking, differing from G. filiformis in the thick, shallowly verrucose thallus and thalline margin of the lirellae and in the larger ascospores; and Sarcographa atlantica E.L.Lima & Lücking, differing from S. astroidea (Vain.) Lücking comb. nov. in the larger ascospores with more numerous septa. We also provide a range and habitat extension for Diorygma alagoense M.Cáceres & Lücking, an enigmatic species with a peculiar chemistry of thallus and ascomata.

Lempholemma syreniarum is described from Ontario, Canada in North America. The new species grows on the bark of deciduous tree bases that are seasonally flooded. In seasonally dry periods, its black areolate thallus, typically with numerous light brown apothecia, is easily seen on tree bases and root flares but is underwater during most other parts of the year. A key is given aiding identification of small crustose-squamulose and corticolous cyanolichens with simple ascospores.

Lecanora excludens (syn. L. septentrionalis) is reported as new for North America from Oregon. The synonymy of the two names is discussed. Lecanora intumescens, with two new synonyms: L. hispanica and L. krempelhuberi, is reported from Idaho and confirmed as new for the United States. Additional localities and range extensions for L. albella s.l., L. cateilea and L. carpinea are given. Lecanora carpinea is newly reported for Ontario, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Lecanora protervula is shown to be the oldest name at the species level for what has been called Lecanora subpallens Zahlbr. (syn. L. caesiorubella subsp. prolifera, L. caesiorubella subsp. lathamii). Lecanora caesiorubella subsp. saximontana is confirmed for Canada from Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, and L. cateilea f. pallidotestacea is new for North America. The presence of taxonomically important fatty acids and zeorin are newly noted for some species or subspecies in the group. An argument is made for the appropriateness of using the category of subspecies for geographically meaningful chemotypes in L. caesiorubella, at least in North America, but the presence or absence of norstictic acid is not found to be taxonomically important in L. albella. A key to the North American species of the L. albella group is also provided.

Three corticolous crustose lichens are described from Thailand as new to science. Astrochapsa elongata Poengs. & Lumbsch is characterized by elongated apothecia, a clear hymenium, submuriform ascospores and the lack of secondary metabolites. Graphis khaoyaiensis Poengs. & Lumbsch is characterized by a laterally carbonized exciple, striate labia, a clear hymenium, muriform ascospores and the absence of secondary metabolites, differing from Graphis dichotoma in having smaller ascospores, and not radiately branched ascomata. Phlyctis sirindhorniae Poengs., Vongshew. & Lumbsch is distinguished by apothecia being solitary or sometimes aggregate or fused into groups, muriform ascospores and the presence of norstictic acid, differing from P. agelaea in having larger apothecia and more ascospores per ascus. Descriptions of the new species are provided and discussions on similar species.

Opegrapha halophila Brodo & Tønsberg is described based on material from British Columbia, Canada, and Alaska, U.S.A. It is distinctive due to its lirellate apothecia, the (mainly) discrete soralia, the production of roccellic/angardianic acid, and its habitat on coastal rocks in the salt spray zone. A key to sorediate species of Opegrapha is provided.

Epiphytic lichens play a key hydrological role in ecosystems by intercepting and retaining water. These attributes can be characterized at an individual thallus scale by considering the retention and loss rates of water, themselves influenced by growth form and anatomy. We compared the hydrological attributes (water-holding capacity and standard drying rate) of two common northern temperate-boreal lichen genera, Evernia and Usnea, which differ greatly in internal anatomy. Despite conspicuous morphological and anatomical differences between the taxa that were hypothesized to affect thallus-water dynamics, their hydrological traits were found to be remarkably similar. This suggests either limited influence of internal anatomy on these ecologically relevant traits or convergence in hydrological attributes in co-occurring taxa.

The calyptra is a small, maternal gametophyte structure that covers the apex of the offspring sporophyte and is critical for the transition from seta formation to capsule differentiation in many moss taxa. It has been hypothesized to function by (1) providing a mechanical constraint that coordinates the development of the presumptive capsule, (2) secreting hormones that influence sporangium differentiation, (3) physically protecting the undifferentiated capsule region, (4) preventing water loss from the sporophyte apex, and/or (5) lowering the rate of sporophyte transpiration. This review explores the experiments that have tested these hypotheses and the evidence that has been found to support or refute them from scientific literature dating back to the late 1700's. Across mosses, calyptrae come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, which may correlate with aspects of morphology, habitat, and function. The overarching objective of this paper is to renew discussion about and research into this small, but important moss organ.