A re-examination of John Shirley's collection of Tasmanian lichens

The Tasmanian lichen collection of John Shirley (1849-1922) (housed in the Queensland Herbarium) is examined and re-determined. Two new combinations, Rinodina asparata (Shirley) Kantvilas and Pyrenula galactina (Shirley) Kantvilas, are proposed, and lectotypes are set up for Bacidia weymouthii (Shirley) Zahlhr. and Pyrenula chloroplaca Shirley from authentic material. Several lichen records are based on misidentifications and are deleted from the checklist of Tasmanian lichens

A brief history of lichenology in Tasmania

The development of lichenology in Tasmania is outlined from the first lichen collections in the late eighteenth century. Special reference is made to the contributions of J.J. Labillardiere, Robert Brown, Joseph Hooker, Ferdinand von Mueller and F.R.M. Wilso

A checklist of Tasmanian lichens

This list records 633 lichen species plus 22 infraspecific taxa in 173 genera from Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. Fourteen species are new records for Tasmania: Arthroraphis citrinella, Cetraria ausrraliensis, Coccotrema porinopsis, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Lecanora blanda, Neofuscelia verrucella, Pertusaria superba, Phaeographis australiensis, Relicina subnigra, Rinodina bischoffii, Siphulas/rum mamillarum, Sphaerophorus imshaugii, Srereocaulon gregarium and Usnea contexta. A list of deleted names based on unreliable sources, misidentifications or misinterpretations of early literature is also provided

The lichen genus Chiodecton in Tasmania

Three species of Chiodecton occur in Tasmania: C. colensoi, the endemic C. flavovirens, and C. montanum which is reported here from Australia for the first time. It was known previously from two localities in New Zealand. A key to these three Tasmanian species is provided, together with notes on their ecology and distribution

Winifred Mary Curtis: A biographical sketch

Winifred Mary Curtis was born in England and, pursuing an early interest in science, graduated from University College, London. While teaching in England she carried out botanical research leading to a MSc degree before emigrating to Tasmania in 1939. Here she taught, wrote and lectured, while conducting research which led to PhD and DSc degrees, and also became involved in two major projects, The Students Flora of Tasmania and The Endemic Flora of Tasmania

Lichens of buttongrass (Gymnoschoenus) moorland in Tasmania

Eighty-nine lichen species are recorded from buttongrass (Gymnoschoenus) moorland in Tasmania. Of these, Hypocenomyce australis, Ochrolechia frigida, Placynthium nigrum, Protoblastenia rupestris, Siphulastrum triste and Trapeliopsis colensoi are new records for Tasmania. Over 70% of the species have Southern Hemisphere distributions, analogous to that of the majority of the vascular flora. However, 25% of the species also occur in the Northern Hemisphere, mostly in ecologically related blanket bogs or moors. A preliminary classification of lichens in twelve broad moorland vegetation types is presented. Favoured habitats for lichens include peat, rotting sedge tussocks or stumps, loose stones and large rock outcrops. Although most moorland lichen species arc widespread in other Tasmanian vegetation formations, repeated, frequent fires are seen as a major threat to their long-term survival within the moorland ecosystem

New taxa and new records from the Tasmanian lichen flora

Three new lichens from Tasmania, Cladonia sulcata var, depleta Elix & Kantvilas, Parmelia tarkinesis Elix & Kantvilas and Xanthoparmelia jarmaniae are described. Eleven additional taxa are reported from Tasmania for the first time, and notes on their distinguishing features, distribution and ecology are provided

Morphology, ecology and distribution of Isoetes L. in Tasmania

Five species of Isoetes are known in Tasmania. I elatior, I. humilior and I. gunnii are endemic, whilst I. drummondii and I. muelleri are also widespread in mainland Australia. Distinguishing morphological characteristics, distribution and ecology of the species are discussed. I muelleri is much more common and widespread than originally thought, and many new records have been made for I drummondii, I. elatior and I humilior, enabling a better understanding of the ecology and conservation status of the genus in Tasmania

The plants of the Trevallyn State Recreation Area, Tasmania

A census of species of all plant groups, excluding free-growing fungi and algae, of the Trevallyn State Recreation Area near Launceston, Tasmania, is presented. The list of 232 species of flowering plants includes 15 species that are either rare or considered to be vulnerable, or are unreserved or poorly represented in state reserves. Although gazetted as a state recreation area, the management policy for the reserve is consistent with the preservation of existing native vegetation

A contribution to an inventory of lichens from South Sister, northeastern Tasmania

A lichen survey at South Sister, northeastern Tasmania, has yielded 234 taxa. The following 16 are recorded from Tasmania for the first time: Acarospora veronensis A. Massal., Arthothelium macounii (G. Merr.) WJ. Noble, Austrolecia antarctica Hertel, Bacidia wellingtonii (Stirt.) D.J. Galloway, Buellia griseovirens (Turner & Borrer ex Sm.) Almb., Coccocarpia pellita (Ach.) Mull. Arg., Hafellia subcrassata Pusswald, H xanthonica Elix, Hypocenomyce scalaris (Ach.) M. Choisy, Illosporium carneum Fr., Lecidella pruinosula (Mull. Arg.) Kantvilas & Elix comb. nov., Lecidella sublapicida (Knight) Hertel, Lepraria eburnea J .R. Laundon, Micarea denigrata (Fr.) Hedl., Mycoblastus campbellianus (Nyl.) Zahlbr. and Mycoporum antecellens (Nyl.) R.C. Harris. The survey represents the first of its kind for any dolerite peak in Tasmania, and serves as a benchmark for future studies. Aspects of the distribution and ecology of the flora, the occurrence of rare, threatened or otherwise unusual species, and significant range extensions are discussed. The effect of metal-rich run-off from galvanised structures is identified as a potential threat to the flora values of the site