Li-Song Wang

Phylogeny of the genus Bryoria

The phylogenetic relationships of the genus Bryoria were examined using ITS, partial glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequence data in addition to 20 chemical and morphological characters. This first comprehensive molecular study to assess Bryoria phylogeny includes representatives from all the traditionally recognized four sections. Combined cladistic analyses of 88 Bryoria specimens representing at least 25 species resulted in highly resolved phylogenies. Based on the results, a new infrageneric classification for the genus is proposed. Five sections are recognized, largely corresponding to the existing classification, with the addition of section Americanae. The study shows that while most species with an erect growth-form are clearly monophyletic, current species status of many pendent taxa can be questioned.

Antioxidant activity of red pigments from the lichens Lethariella sernanderi, L. cashmeriana, and L. sinensis

A yellow and new dark red pigments were isolated from Lethariella sernanderi, L. cashmeriana, and L. sinensis as antioxidant components. The yellow pigment was identified as canarione (1), and the others were determined to be 1,2-quinone derivatives, rubrocashmeriquinone (2) and 7-chlororubrocashmeriquinone (3), and 7-chlorocanarione (4) by analysis of their spectroscopic data.

Antioxidative Activity of Lichen Thamnolia vermicularis in vitro

This study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activities of methanol extract of Thamnolia vermicularis. The antioxidant activity, reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging and free radical scavenging activities were studied. The antioxidant activity of the extract correlated with its concentration (0.2~2 mg/ml) in the reaction mixtures containing linoleie acid. Upto 67% of lipid peroxidation was inhibited by 2 mg/ml of the lichen extract. The extract showed strong free radical scavenging activity similar to that of BHA (positive control) in a manner of concentration dependent. The lichen extract also showed moderate effects on superoxide anoin scavenging activity and reducing power, which was not so effective as that of Quercetin and BHA used as positive controls. This study suggests that T. vermicularis lichen can be used as a novel source of natural antioxidant.

Five new species of Hypogymnia with rimmed holes from the Chinese Himalayas

Abstract Five new species are described from the group of Hypogymnia with rimmed holes on the lower surface: H. bulbosa, H. congesta, H. diffractaica, H. laxa, and H. pseudocyphellata. All species in this group are restricted to the Himalayan region, primarily in southwestern China. Four other species in this group have previously been described: H. hengduanensis, H. kangdingensis, H. macrospora, and H. subvittata. Hypogymnia kangdingensis is synonymized with H. hengduanensis and Hypogymnia subvittata is synonymized with H. macrospora. Virensic acid (in H. congesta) and norbarbatic (4′-O-demethylbarbatic acid) are major lichen substances previously unreported from Hypogymnia.

Taxonomic delimitation of the genera Bryoria and Sulcaria , with a new combination Sulcaria spiralifera introduced

Bryoria pseudocapillaris and B. spiralifera are currently treated as members of Bryoria section Implexae although conspicuous, long and depressed pseudocyphellae characterizing both species resemble those found in the genus Sulcaria. Both genera belong in Parmeliaceae and form an alectorioid group together with Alectoria, Gowardia and Pseudephebe. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of ITS, partial GAPDH and partial Mcm7 sequence data were used to examine the phylogenetic position of B. pseudocapillaris and B. spiralifera, and in light of these results evaluate the generic delimitation of Bryoria and Sulcaria. A total of 110 specimens of 53 species containing representatives from alectorioid and closely related genera were included in the analyses. The results clearly show first, that both B. pseudocapillaris and B. spiralifera belong in Sulcaria rather than in Bryoria, and second, that they should be considered conspecific. Bryoria pseudocapillaris is proposed as a synonym under B. spiralifera and the name Sulcaria spiralifera comb. nov. is introduced.

Bulbothrix asiatica sp. nov., and other new records of Parmeliaceae with bulbate cilia from Cambodia

Abstract Bulbothrix asiatica Y. Y. Zhang & Li S. Wang sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate specimens with a black lower surface, an emaculate and cracked upper surface and salazinic acid in the medulla. The species is currently known only from Cambodia and southwestern China. Other Parmeliaceae with bulbate cilia here newly reported from Cambodia are: Bulbothrix lyngei, B. subscortea, Relicina abstrusa and R. circumnodata. Phylogenetic trees for Bulbothrix are established to assess the affinities of the new species and test for a differentiation of saxicolous and epiphytic populations of B. subscortea. A key to these species is presented.

Taxonomic study of the genus Anzia (Lecanorales, lichenized Ascomycota) from Hengduan Mountains, China

Analyses of morphological, anatomical, chemical and DNA sequences led to the recognition of ten species of Anzia in the Hengduan Mountains, which harbour all species known from China, including A. pseudocolpota sp. nov. and A. hypomelaena comb. & stat. nov. Furthermore, populations similar to A. hypoleucoides but with narrow lobes and a yellow-orange pigmented medulla may be a phylogenetically distinct species tentatively recognized as A. aff. hypoleucoides. The species are primarily distinguished by the presence or absence of a central axis, the colour and shape of the spongy cushion and the nature of the secondary compounds. A key to all known species of Anzia from China is presented.

A new species and new records of saxicolous species of the genus Lecidella (Lecanoraceae) from South Korea

Abstract A new species, Lecidella oceanica Lu L. Zhang & Xin Y. Wang, is described here. The new species has been collected from the southwest coast of South Korea and is characterized by small, subimmersed or sessile apothecia, colorless hypothecium and the presence of capistratone, isoarthothelin and thiophanic acid. We also report L. asema is for the first time from South Korea and new localities for L. enteroleucella.

Contributions to the lichen flora of the Hengduan Mountains, China (5). Anzia rhabdorhiza (Parmeliaceae), a new species

Abstract Anzia rhabdorhiza Li S. Wang & M. M. Liang is found to be a species new to science from Hengduan Mountains in southwest China. It is characterized by long and thick rhizines covered with spongiostratum, a central chondroid band in the medulla, and production of atranorin and divaricatic acid. The new species belongs to the Sect. Nervosae of Anzia.

Four new records of Lecideoid lichens from China

Four lecideoid lichen species, Carbonea vorticosa, Lecidea diducens, L. promiscens, and Lecidella bullata, are reported for the first time from China.