Genus Dimerella (Coenogoniaceae, lichenized Ascomycota) in Slovakia

The genus Dimerella, comprising ca 25 species worldwide, was studied to clarify its occurrence in Slovakia. The paper, based on literature review, revision of collections (BP, BRA, PR, PRC, SAV, W, herb. Vfezda, herb. Pi{út) and fieldwork, brings together evidence of two species, D. pineti and D. lutea. The first voucher specimens and published data for D. pineti date back to the second half of 19th century; 20th century records are only occasional, therefore the species was regarded as rare. However, this investigation shows that it is widely distributed throughout Slovakia, mainly on tree bases, stumps or mossy soil in forests. The sub-oceanic D. lutea is recorded from Slovakia for the first time. Its historical occurrence in the Vihorlat Mounts complements our current observation in the Eastern Carpathians (Bukovské vrchy Mts) in 2002. From an investigation of its ecological requirements, it is evident that the species is confined to humid, well preserved forest biotopes. Within the studied territory the species has not been overlooked, but is extremely rare, which is the reason for including it in the Red List of Lichens of Slovakia as critically endangered. Vernacular names for both the species are introduced

Retaining unlogged patches in Mediterranean oak forests may preserve threatened forest macrolichens

Forest management practices may heavily impact epiphytic (tree inhabiting) organisms. Retaining tree patches and buffer strips in logged stands may contribute to preserve ecosystem functioning and the vitality of epiphytic organisms in managed forests. To test these statements, the threatened forest macrolichen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. was used as a model species, since it is a “flag” indicator species of forest ecosystems with long ecological continuity. To this purpose, photosynthetic performances, thallus anatomy and water holding capacity (WHC) of samples of L. pulmonaria were investigated in a logged mixed oak forest (Tuscany, Italy), confronting lichen thalli from retained- forest patches and retained-isolated trees, 18 months after logging. Compared with those of retained-forest patches, thalli on the trunks of retained- isolated trees were thinner and showed lower vitality (as indicated by the potential quantum yield of primary photochemistry – FV/FM and the index of overall photosynthetic performance – PIABS), as well as lower water holding capacity. In contrast, thalli from forest patches had performances comparable to those of healthy samples from unlogged forests

Studia Lichenologica in Italy. I. New records of red-listed species

We present new data concerning lichen species of the Italian flora and confirm 36 national redlisted species

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 9

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Encalypta, Grimmia, and Riccia, for the fungal genera Hericium, Inocybe, Inocutis, Pluteus, and Russula, and for the lichen genera Bryoria, Farnoldia, Hypocenomyce, Lecania, Paracollema, Peltigera, Sarcogyne, and Teloschistes

Leptogium ferax (lichen-forming fungi, Collemataceae) new to Hungary

The article brings information on a lichen species Leptogium ferax newly recorded for the territory of Hungary. So far known distribution of the species in Europe is discussed, so as the phytogeographical significance of the locality in Mt Nagy-Szénás in the Buda Mts

Distribution of Solenopsora candicans (lichen-forming fungi, Catillariaceae) in Hungary

Solenopsora candicans was an overlooked lichen species in Hungary. The two old localities were revisited (one of them could be confirmed) and five new occurrences were discovered. Its current distribution in Hungary is presented and discussed

Vitality of the cyanolichen Peltigera praetextata exposed around a cement plant (SW Slovakia): a comparison with green algal lichens

The suitability of the cyanolichen Peltigera praetextata (Sommerf.) Zopf as indicator of the effects of air pollution around a cement industry was investigated. For this purpose, lichen samples taken from an unpolluted site were exposed for 1–6 months at selected sites (a cement mill, two quarries, inhabited and agricultural sites) in SW Slovakia: physiological parameters and ultrastructural features were examined prior and after exposure. The responses of P. praetextata were then compared with those of the green-algal lichens Evernia prunastri and Xanthoria parietina co-located at the same sites. The performance of the cyanobacterial photobiont of P. praetextata (as reflected by the maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry FV/FM and by the performance index PIABS) was negatively influenced mainly by the length of exposure in the urban and agricultural sites and less by dust pollution around the cement mill and the quarries. A significant increase in membrane lipid peroxidation products reflected the effects of oxidative stresses in all sites. The alteration of the content of water soluble proteins was detected in the samples exposed around the cement mill, while dehydrogenase activity did not show any significant pattern. Similarly to green algal lichens, ultrastructural alterations featured lipid droplets increase, swelling of cellular components, thylakoid degeneration and sometimes plasmolysis, which on the whole gave the cells an aged appearance, especially in the urban and agricultural sites. On the whole, E. prunastri confirmed to be the most sensitive to dust pollution, P. praetextata was likely influenced by microclimatic conditions and habitat eutrophication and X. parietina was the most resistant. When compared with green-algal lichens, P. praetextata was not the best indicator of the effects of cement dust pollution

Retaining unlogged patches in Mediterranean oak forests may preserve threatened forest macrolichens

Forest management practices may heavily impact epiphytic (tree inhabiting) organisms. Retaining tree patches and buffer strips in logged stands may contribute to preserve ecosystem functioning and the vitality of epiphytic organisms in managed forests. To test these statements, the threatened forest macrolichen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. was used as a model species, since it is a “flag” indicator species of forest ecosystems with long ecological continuity. To this purpose, photosynthetic performances, thallus anatomy and water holding capacity (WHC) of samples of L. pulmonaria were investigated in a logged mixed oak forest (Tuscany, Italy), confronting lichen thalli from retained-forest patches and retained-isolated trees, 18 months after logging. Compared with those of retained-forest patches, thalli on the trunks of retained-isolated trees were thinner and showed lower vitality (as indicated by the potential quantum yield of primary photochemistry - FV/FM and the index of overall photosynthetic performance - PIABS), as well as lower water holding capacity. In contrast, thalli from forest patches had performances comparable to those of healthy samples from unlogged forests