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

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

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

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

Two new lichenicolous species of Arthonia (Ascomycota: Arthoniomycetes) from Tasmania

Eight lichenicolous species of Arthonia from Tasmania are treated. Two are described as new: A. aurantia Kantvilas & Motiej., which infects the thallus of a Leprocaulon-like lichen and is characterised by vivid orange, K+ magenta ascomata, 0.07−0.1(−0.15) mm wide, and 1-septate, macrocephalic ascospores, 10−12.5(−13.5) × 4−5.5 μm; and A. endocarpa Kantvilas & Motiej., which infects the apothecia of Amandinea neoconglomerata Elix, and has non-amyloid asci interspersed with those of the host, and is characterised by 1-septate, macrocephalic ascospores, 8.5−13 × 4.5−6 μm. Two other species, A. epiphys­cia Nyl. and A. stictaria Nyl., are here recorded for Tasmania for the first time. Salient features of all species are compared