Clifford M. Wetmore

THE LOBATE AND SUBFRUTICOSE SPECIES OF CALOPLACA IN NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA

This paper includes 19 saxicolous species of Caloplaca from North and Central America that are characterized by distinctive elongated marginal lobes, non-paraplectenchymatous hypothecium, and presence of anthraquinones. In various ways this group has been referred to as Caloplaca section Gasparrinia or even separated at the generic level. The group, however, is not regarded as natural and consequently not given taxonomic status. Descriptions, keys, and distribution maps are provided for all treated taxa. Three new species are described for the region: Caloplaca appressa, C. stellata, and C. texana. Several lectotypes are selected. Caloplaca augustina is a new synonym of C. galactophylla. Color illustrations are provided for most species or references to previously published color illustrations. Additional notes are presented for six related non-American species.

Notes on the Lecanora varia Group in North America

Abstract This is a preliminary study of a group of North American taxa of Lecanora occurring on bark and containing usnic or isousnic acid and having a yellow, yellow-green, or greenish thalli. The group is regarded as L. varia s. lato and, based on species examined, a proposal is offered to delimit the following smaller groups: L. varia group s.str.; L. expallens group s. lato with L. strobilina and L. expallens group s.str.; and the L. saligna group. Two new subspecies (L. varia subsp. densa and L. varia subsp. laxa) are described. A key for the taxa studied is presented. Some suggestions for future research are outlined.

Patterns of Lichen Diversity in Yellowstone National Park

Abstract We here report 359 species in 103 genera from Yellowstone National Park. We found 71.3% of the total number of species in Picea engelmannii forests and 57.4% of the total number in Pseudotsuga menziesii stands. This compares to 42.3% of the species in Pinus contorta and 37.0% of the species in Pinus contorta/Pinus albicaulis stands. The presence of old Pseudotsuga menziesii and mature Picea engelmannii indicates that the forests have not burned for at least 300 yr, contributing to higher lichen diversity. The drier lodgepole pine and whitebark pine forests burn more frequently than every 300 yr and have fewer microhabitats for lichen growth. Species with thalli large enough to identify are beginning to recolonize substrates burned in the 1988 fires. Bryoria fremontii and Letharia vulpina exhibit levels of mercury and sulfur higher than those in other specimens in the region.

The Sorediate Corticolous Species of Caloplaca in North and Central America

Abstract This paper is a study of the sorediate corticolous species of Caloplaca in North and Central America with notes on similar species from other parts of the world. Of the 22 described sorediate species studied, 13 occur within the study area. The most common and widespread species in this group are C. chrysophthalma and C. microphyllina. Apothecia are often lacking on these sorediate species, in contrast to the isidiate species. A key, color photographs, and distribution maps are provided. Two new species are described as C. alaskensis and C. persimilis. Caloplaca granularis and Caloplaca ulcerosa are reported for the first time from North America. Several lectotypes are designated.

The Caloplaca citrina Group in North and Central America

Abstract This paper treats four North American yellow or orange sorediate species, C. chrysodeta, C. citrina, C. tominii, and C. xanthostigmoidea. These species are mostly sterile and sorediate and usually occur on rocks and soil. Other related non-American species, C. proteus, C. soropelta, and C. xantholyta are also discussed in relation to the treated species. Descriptions, distribution maps, and color illustrations are provided for the treated taxa.

What is Caloplaca cinnabarina

This paper treats four saxicolous species of Caloplaca occurring mainly in subtropical or semiarid regions in North and Central America, C. baueri, C. cinnabarina, C. rosei, and C. rubelliana. These species are mainly characterized by 1) a continuous to cracked areolate thallus, 2) thallus without marginal lobes, 3) areole margins broadly attached to the substrate, 4) cortex distinctly paraplectenchymatous, 5) immersed apothecia, and 6) containing anthraquinones. The group is not regarded as natural and consequently not given taxonomic status. Descriptions and distribution maps are provided for the taxa. Color illustrations or references to earlier published color illustrations are provided for all species. Additional notes are presented for two similar non American species, C. haematodes and C. subunicolor. (Less)

The isidiate corticolous Caloplaca species in north and Central America

Abstract This paper reports on a study of the isidiate corticolous species of Caloplaca in North and Central America with notes on similar species from other parts of the world. Of the 20 described isidiate species studied, five are found within the study area. The most common species are C. epiphora and C. furfuracea. Apothecia are frequently found on these isidiate species, in contrast to the sorediate species. A key to all species studied, color photographs, and distribution maps are provided. Several new synonyms are proposed. Caloplaca griseovirens and C. isidiosissima are younger synonyms of Caloplaca aphanotripta. Caloplaca hensseneana and C. neotropica are synonyms of C. wrightii. Caloplaca bassiae and C. herbidella have been reported from the study area, but do not occur here. Caloplaca bassiae is known from Africa, India, China, and Australia and is the oldest name for C. isidiosella and C. malaensis.

The Caloplaca squamosa Group in North and Central America

Abstract This paper presents the results of a study of the C. squamosa group in North and Central America. The group as understood here includes C. squamosa, C. subsoluta, and two new species—C. parviloba and C. phyllidizans. This group is common and variable, and C. squamosa and C. subsoluta have been described several times. Several new synonyms are given and lectotypes are selected for C. irrubescens and C. squamosa. Color photographs and distribution maps are presented along with a discussion of the variability. The most constant features are the subsquamulose thallus and the paraplectenchymatous layer below the hypothecium and in the upper proper margin.

Lichens and air quality in Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, Ohio

Lichens were collected at numerous localities in Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area and compared with species lists for Cuyahoga and Summit counties to document changes in the lichen flora since 1920. There are no historical collections from the park but habitats similar to those studied by early collectors are present in the park today. The present lichen flora has 65 species, including 34 new records for the area. Of the 151 species recorded for the two counties between 1895 and 1917, only 31 were found during this study (21%). None of the species most sensitive to sulfur dioxide were found, nor were any of the cyanophilic lichens reported earlier. The lichens remaining are often small and frequently with dead parts or distorted growth. Elemental analysis of Parmelia rudecta showed high sulfur levels. It is proposed that poor air quality has destroyed 79% of the historical lichen flora of the park. Thelidium parvulum Arn. is reported for the first time from North America. The Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area is situated along the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland in Cuyahoga and Summit counties in northern Ohio. The park was established in 1975 with 32,500 acres (13,200 ha). The park boundaries are artificial and were drawn to exclude most of the developed areas. The river is in a fairly deep valley but the park also includes some of the upland further from the river. In some areas there are sandstone cliffs where streams have cut through the rocks but most of the park is forested. The vegetation is most- ly northern hardwoods with sugar maple (Acer sac- charum), hickory (Carya spp.), oaks (Quercus spp.) and beech (Fagus grandifolia) on the slopes and ridgetops. Most of the american elm (Ulmus amer- icana) are dead. The valleys contain red maple (Acer rubrum), boxelder (Acer negundo), ash (Fraxinus spp.), willow (Salix spp.) and some cottonwood (Populus deltoides). The Ohio and Erie Canal extended the whole

Elemental chemistry of four lichen species from the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin, 1987, 1995 and 2001

Four lichen species sampled three times over a 15-year time span at four of the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin were analyzed for 16 chemical elements in order to determine time trends and spatial patterns. Factor analyses of the data revealed that elements associated with soils (Al, Cr, Fe, Na, Ni and S) have increased over the study period, while nutrient and pollutant elements (Cu, K, P, Pb and Zn) have decreased. Four other elements (Ca, Cd, Mg and Mn) were unchanged over time. Cladina rangiferina, a terricolous species, contained the lowest concentrations of all elements, while the corticolous species Evernia mesomorpha was highest in soil elements, Hypogymnia physodes was highest in Ca, Cd, Mg and Mn, and Parmelia sulcata was highest in the nutritional elements. Lichens on islands within 3-4 km of the mainland were highest in soil elements, which decreased with distance from the mainland. Elements that were 18-43% greater on the nearest islands were significantly different between near and far islands. Eight elements (Al, Ca, Cd, K, Mg, Mn, P and S) exceeded enrichment levels for Hypogymnia physodes, suggesting possible contamination problems for this species. Although Pb has decreased significantly over the time period, other elements have increased in the lichens while decreasing in the atmosphere, suggesting that accumulation in the environment is continuing.