Antonio Gómez-Bolea

Lichen colonization of the Roman pavement at Baelo Claudia (Cadiz, Spain): biodeterioration vs. bioprotection

This paper describes the effect of lichen colonization on the first century A.D. pavement of the forum at Baelo Claudia, a Roman city located in southern Spain. Lichen colonization is scarce, covering only 13% of the total surface. The rest of the flagstones are mostly uncovered but show strong physico-chemical weathering. The flagstones colonized by lichens do not show weathering. The distribution of the species is influenced by environmental factors, confirming the role of lichens as bioindicators of different habitats. The lichen/sandstone interface shows some weathering, but nevertheless, the protective role of lichens in an aggressive environment is noticeable.

Lichens on ancient mortars

Abstract The study of three archaeological sites of southern Spain showed that mortar is a building material easily colonized by a diversity of calcicolous and rather nitrophilous lichens. The interface between lichen and mortar showed an intense chemical activity of the hyphae producing extensive alteration on the surface. The nature and amount of the mortar components greatly influenced the colonizing species and the patterns of alteration.

A multiproxy approach to evaluate biocidal treatments on biodeteriorated majolica glazed tiles

The Fishing House located on the grounds of the Marquis of Pombal Palace, Oeiras, Portugal, was built in the 18th century. During this epoch, Portuguese gardens, such as the one surrounding the Fishing House, were commonly ornamented with glazed wall tile claddings. Currently, some of these outdoor tile panels are covered with dark colored biofilms, contributing to undesirable aesthetic changes and eventually inducing chemical and physical damage to the tile surfaces. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the investigated biofilms are mainly composed of green algae, cyanobacteria and dematiaceous fungi. With the aim of mitigating biodeterioration, four different biocides (TiO2 nanoparticles, Biotin® T, Preventol® RI 80 and Albilex Biostat® ) were applied in situ to the glazed wall tiles. Their efficacy was monitored by visual examination, epifluorescence microscopy and DNA-based analysis. Significant changes in the microbial community composition were observed 4 months after treatment with Preventol® RI 80 and Biotin® T. Although the original community was inactivated after these treatments, an early stage of re-colonization was detected 6 months after the biocide application. TiO2 nanoparticles showed promising results due to their self-cleaning effect, causing the detachment of the biofilm from the tile surface, which remained clean 6 and even 24 months after biocide application.

Líquenes y hongos liquenícolas epífitos de Quercus ilex L., poco conocidos en encinares de Cataluña (España)

We present here 13 species of lichens and 3 of lichenicolous fungi found on Quercus ilex L. in evergreen oak forests of Catalonia. Leptogium coralloideum (Meyen & Flotow) Vainio, Scoliciosporum gallurae Vězda & Poelt, Abrothallus microspermus Tul. are new reports for Spain, and nine more species are new for the flora of Catalonia. For each one of them, a brief morphological characterisation, its distribution in Europe and in the Iberian Peninsula, and its autoecology are given.

Colonization of Maltese Catacombs by Phototrophic Biofilms. How Much Does Light Matter

The study of phototrophic biofilms from Maltese catacombs has shown that their distribution within catacombs does not show a significant dependence on orientation of catacomb and their location inside the catacombs. A decrease on species richness is observed when light availability diminishes, but the composition of biofilms does not change significantly. The proportion of green algae has a slight increase in darker areas, while cyanobacteria remain stable and diatoms decrease. Diatoms are almost not present in deeper areas inside catacombs. However, light is not the only key factor driving the colonization by phototrophic biofilms.

The lichen genus Phylloblastia (Verrucariaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula, with a new species from Western Europe

The foliicolous genus Phylloblastia is recorded for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula where it is represented by three species: P. fortuita sp. nov. from several localities in the north-east of Spain, P. dispersa , a new record for Europe and reported for the first time outside the tropics, and P. inexpectata . A key to the European species is provided.

Líquenes y hongos liquenícolas de la Serranía de Ronda (Málaga-Cádiz), sur de España

As a result of a field trip organised by the Spanish Lichen Society in Serrania de Ronda, south Spain, a catalogue of 360 taxa is presented (336 lichens, 24 lichenicolous fungi). The list includes three new records for the Iberian Peninsula: Arthonia paretinaria, Micarea myriocarpa and Niesslia keissleri , 51new ones for the Autonomous Andalusian Community, and three and 81 new ones for the province of Cadiz and of Malaga, respectively. After these results, the total updated number of the province of Malaga rises to 556 lichens and lichenicolous fungi. The best represented lichen genus is Cladonia (18) with the most species, unlike Lecanora (15), Pertusaria (12), Physconia (12) and Collema (9). As regard habitat, most lichen species are mainly corticolous (55%), as opposed to saxicolous (24%), terricolous (14%) as the species growing on other lichens as lichenicolous fungi (7%). The percentages of lichen growth forms are mainly foliose (50%) and crustose (31%), while fruticose (7%), crustose squamulose (6%) and dimorphic (6%) are less represented. The lichen wit