Israel Pérez-Vargas

Caloplaca chelyae (Teloschistaceae), a new lichen from the Canary Islands

Abstract Caloplaca chelyae is described as new to science. It is characterized by its scant crustose thallus, spores (12–)13–15 × (7–)8–11 µm, with a narrow equatorial wall-thickening, (1.5–)2–3 µm less than ¼ the length of the spore. This new species, related to subgenus Gyalolechia, was found on bryophytes in the high mountains of the Canary Islands, in El Teide National Park (Tenerife) and La Caldera de Taburiente National Park (La Palma). Possible associated taxa are briefly discussed.

A discussion about reproductive modes of Pseudevernia furfuracea based on phylogenetic data

Two asexual reproductive strategies of the common lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea are described. Although the species propagates mainly by isidia, some specimens also show the development of soralia. Morphological, chemical and molecular analyses were performed on three such sorediate specimens from the Canary Islands, Morocco and Turkey. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses indicate that: a) sorediate samples represent only a morphological variant of the reproductive mode and b) the separation of taxa (at species level or below) on the basis of their containing either olivetoric acid or physodic and oxyphysodic acids is not appropriate. In addition, a phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Pseudevernia is presented for the first time. The tree shows two sister monophyletic clades, one containing American species ( P. intensa , P. cladonia , P. consocians ), and the second encompassing the P. furfuracea samples (including sorediate specimens). The biological and taxonomic significance of soralia in sorediate samples is discussed.

New species of Pertusaria (lichenized Ascomycota: Pertusariaceae) from the Canary Islands

Pertusaria aceroae and Pertusaria calderae from the Canary Islands are described as new to science. A description of each species is given together with notes on their chemistry, distribution, ecology and taxonomy. Related lichen taxa are discussed.

A new saxicolous species of Diploschistes (Thelotremataceae) from the Canary Islands

Diploschistes albopruinosus is described as new to science. This species is found on siliceous rocks in La Caldera de Taburiente National Park (La Palma, Canary Islands). A description of the species is given together with notes on its chemistry, distribution, ecology and taxonomy. Related lichen taxa are discussed.

Xanthoparmelia teydea, a new brown Xanthoparmelia (Parmeliaceae) from the Canary Islands

Abstract Xanthoparmelia teydea is described as new to science. This new species was found on basaltic rocks in the high mountains of the Canary Islands, in El Teide National Park (Tenerife Island). A description of the species is given together with notes on its chemistry, distribution, ecology and taxonomy. Possible associated taxa are briefly discussed.

Contribución al conocimiento de la Biota Liquénica Macaronésica

Se presentan cinco nuevas citas de liquenes para la Region Macaronesica procedentes de las Islas Canarias, de notable interes floristico y corologico, que permiten establecer interesantes conexiones entre areas de distribucion disjunta. Se incluyen datos ecologicos basados fundamentalmente en observaciones propias, y se resaltan los caracteres taxonomicos mas llamativos para el reconocimiento de las especies. Probablemente los taxones tratados no sean raros, pero habian sido obviados, bien por ser inconspicuos o por su similitud con otros.

Estimating the population size of the endemic lichens Anzia centrifuga (Parmeliaceae) and Ramalina species (Ramalinaceae) on Porto Santo (Madeira archipelago)

Abstract Due to isolation, islands are known to harbor a high number of endemics. Although most lichen species are widespread, a number of genera are well-known for the large number of endemics. Often, those endemic taxa have a low population size and are vulnerable to ecosystem change. We carried out a survey of all seven endemic lichens of the island of Porto Santo (Madeira, Portugal, 42 km2) in order to generate data for a IUCN Red List assessment. Six km2 of suitable habitat for the species were searched and mapped at 100 m resolution. The main habitat for the species consisted of volcanic outcrops, mainly basalt peaks and lava flows on the slopes. All accessible areas—circa 90% of the peaks and 50% of all outcrops—were surveyed by the authors during one week as a volunteer project. The population size of Anzia centrifuga was estimated to be 50–100 individuals. It occurred only on exposed, stable, vertical, N to W facing rock faces above 240 m, restricting the potential habitat to less than 1.0 km2. Ramalina nematodes occurred often abundantly on most of the larger exposed ridges. Ramalina confertula and R. portosantana each occur on several rock outcrops in the N part of the island. Ramalina erosa, R. jamesii and R. timdaliana were restricted to an area often less than 1000 m2 in the surroundings of their type localities. After application of the IUCN criteria, all studied endemics fitted well into category Critically Endangered although no immediate threats seem present.

Moelleropsis nebulosa subsp. frullaniae (Pannariaceae), a Disjunct and Poorly Known Lichen, New to Macaronesia

Abstract: Pérez-Vargas, I, Hernández Padrón, C. & Losada-Lima, A. 2014. Moelleropsis nebulosa subsp. frullaniae (Pannariaceae), a disjunct and poorly known lichen, new to Macaronesia. — Herzogia 27: 409–412. Moelleropsis nebulosa subsp. frullaniae has been discovered in the Canary Islands for the first time in the Macaronesian Region growing on two species of the liverwort genus Frullania. A revised description based on our own observations, data on their habitats and ecology are presented. Similar taxa are briefly discussed.