Ana Rosa Burgaz

Distribution patterns in the genus Peltigera Willd.

The distribution of sixty-six Peltigera species in 230 biogeographic provinces or 40 regions are presented. A hierarchical clustering approach, used to identify clusters of species with similar distribution patterns (floristic elements), resolved four groups made up of Neotropical, Southern Hemisphere, Antarctic and mainly Holarctic species. The Holarctic Kingdom is species rich with the highest number of Peltigera species and also the highest number of endemic species; the Australian and Cape Kingdoms have the lowest number of species and endemics. The species rich provinces are briefly discussed.

Species delimitations in the Cladonia cariosa group (Cladoniaceae, Ascomycota)

Phenotypic characters, either morphological or chemical, have shown to be insufficient to delimit species boundaries in the genus Cladonia . The present study addresses the circumscription of species within the Cladonia cariosa group, examining a number of specimens of the currently accepted taxa Cladonia cariosa , C. symphycarpa , C. acuminata , C. subcariosa and C. latiloba . We employed maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods of phylogenetic reconstructions based on DNA sequences of ITS, rpb2 and ef1α regions. Our results show that the C. cariosa group consists of at least four phylogenetic lineages. It is also shown that each of these lineages is chemically variable, which restricts the taxonomic value of the chemical differences within the group. However, anatomical differences, such as squamule surface and cortex structure, were found to correlate with the distinct lineages found in the phylogenetic analysis. This result confirms the taxonomic value of the cortical surface under SEM, as was found in other lichen groups.

Phenotypical plasticity and homoplasy complicate species delimitation in the Cladonia gracilis group (Cladoniaceae, Ascomycota)

Species delimitation in the Cladonia gracilis group has long been known to be difficult due to morphological variability of taxa. The present study addresses the circumscription of species within this group, examining a number of specimens of the currently accepted taxa Cladonia coniocraea, C. cornuta subsp. cornuta, C. cornuta subsp. groenlandica, C. ecmocyna subsp. ecmocyna, C. ecmocyna subsp. intermedia, C. gracilis subsp. gracilis, C. gracilis subsp. elongata, C. gracilis subsp. tenerrima, C. gracilis subsp. turbinata, C. gracilis subsp. vulnerata, C. macroceras, C. maxima, and C. ochrochlora using genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition. We employed maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods of phylogenetic reconstructions based on DNA sequences of ITS rDNA, IGS rDNA, RPB2 and partially EF1-α regions. Our results indicate that the C. gracilis group is monophyletic but that most currently accepted taxa do not form monophyletic groups, with the exception of C. ecmocyna and C. cornuta subsp. cornuta. Different tests suggest that incomplete lineage sorting and sporadic recombination events are responsible for a phylogeny that largely lacks support. Our data also strongly suggest that C. coniocraea, C. cornuta subsp. groenlandica, and C. ochrochlora are conspecific, with C. coniocraea being the oldest available name. The morphological characters in the group are shown to be highly homoplasious, causing, in tandem with phenotypical plasticity of the taxa, the difficulties in delimiting species in the C. gracilis group.

Insight into the Cladonia convoluta-C. foliacea (Cladoniaceae, Ascomycota) complex and related species, revealed through morphological, biochemical and phylogenetic analyses

Species boundaries are often not easy to establish in lichens of the genus Cladonia, where each species displays a great morphological variability. Cladonia convoluta and C. foliacea are two commonly accepted, morphologically similar lichen taxa. Molecular (nuclear ITS rDNA, rpb2 partial gene, cox1 partial gene), chemical and morphological characters were used to elucidate the taxonomic rank of these taxa. Our analyses were carried out on material from several European countries. Other related species, viz. C. firma, C. cervicornis and C. pulvinata were also studied. Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses were based on 71 ITS, 39 cox1 and 33 rpb2 sequences. Neither morphological characters nor phylogenetic analyses gave evidence to delimit two taxa in the C. convoluta/C. foliacea complex; however C. firma, C. cervicornis and C. pulvinata formed three distinct monophyletic groups.

Diversity and distribution of epiphytic macrolichens on tree trunks in two slopes of the montane rainforest of Gran Piedra, Santiago de Cuba

Abstract The macrolichens are a conspicuous component of the montane rainforest of Gran Piedra, Santiago de Cuba. This study aims at comparing the species composition, frequency and cover area of epiphytic macrolichens between the north and south slopes, as well as to determine the variation in species composition and frequency of epiphytic macrolichens in communities along and around the tree trunk. Six plots were sampled; three on the north-facing slope and three on the south slope. We found 21 species of macrolichens. Sticta beauvoisii, Hypotrachyna lineariloba and Pannaria tavaresii are new records for Cuba. Differences were observed in species composition between slopes, whereas neither the species composition nor the frequency changed significantly with cardinal orientation or vertical distribution on the trunk. Heterodermia leucomelaena and Leptogium austroamericanum were considered as indicators of the north slopes, and Cladonia ceratophylla of the south slope.

The phenotypic features used for distinguishing species within the Cladonia furcata complex are highly homoplasious

The phenotypic features used for distinguishing species within the Cladonia furcata complex are highly homoplasious

Substrate preferences and phorophyte specificity of corticolous lichens on five tree species of the montane rainforest of Gran Piedra, Santiago de Cuba

Abstract Research concerning ecological relationships between corticolous lichens and substrate factors in Cuba is limited. This study aims to determine the variation of composition, richness, frequency and cover area of corticolous lichens of the montane rainforest of Gran Piedra in Cuba related to physical and chemical substrate factors, including diameter of the trunk, roughness, per cent moisture, pH, and concentration of bark phenols. In addition, lichen-phorophyte specificity of the tree species Gomidesia lindeniana, Coccoloba wrightii, Clusia tetrastigma, Dendropanax arboreus and Brunellia comocladifolia was determined. On 51 sampled phorophyte trees, 53 lichen species were found, 19 of which are new records to Cuba. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed a segregation pattern in the species composition due to diameter of the trunk, pH and phenol concentration of the bark. Lichen-phorophyte specificity was almost absent, with only two lichen species, Ocellularia terebrata and Chapsa neei, showing a significant association with Brunellia comocladifolia.

Differences in diversity of corticolous lichens between interior and edge of the Monte Barranca semi-deciduous forest, Santiago de Cuba

Abstract The epiphytic lichen flora in the semi-deciduous forest of Monte Barranca, Santiago de Cuba differs between the edge and interior due to differences in light levels. Four transects of 50 m were establish: two on the edge and two on the interior. Sixty randomly-chosen trees were surveyed, fifteen trees in each transect. The trees were sampled from the ground to two meters in height. Seventy-four corticolous lichen species were recorded, including 51 newly recorded for Cuba. Reproductive strategies were as varied for those lichens on the edge of the forest as for those in the interior, but most of the species were reproducing sexually. Porina distans, a generalist species, is highly adapted to the Monte Barranca semi-deciduous forest.

Calicium chlorosporum new to Europe

Sarrion, F. J.; Burgaz, A. R. & Tibell, L. 2007. Calicium chlorosporum new to Europe. Bot. Complut. 31: 23-25. Calicium chlorosporum has been found for the first time in Europe. It was growing on wood of Abies pinsapo in southern Spain. The description of the taxa and related species as well as a world distributional map is provided.

The genus Nephroma Ach. in the Iberian Peninsula

The lichen genus Nephroma is represented by five species in the Iberian Peninsula. Anatomical, chemical, ecological and distributional data for each taxon are provided. A number of species have been found for the first time in several provinces.