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The present account briefly describes two crustose lichen species new to South Korea. Detailed taxonomic descriptions of Leiorreuma exaltatum and Trapelia coarctata, supported by distribution, ecology and illustrations, are provided. Both species were collected from warm-temperate, humid forests of Jeju Island.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain No.6T, was isolated from a lichen (Cladonia sp.) collected in Geogeum Island, Korea, and its taxonomic status was established by a polyphasic study. Cells of strain No.6T were non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-spore-forming rods. Growth was observed at 15–35 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C), at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 6.0–8.0) and with 0–3 % NaCl (optimum, 0–2 %). The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c, 41.5 %), iso-C15 : 0 (26.7 %) and C16 : 0 (9.6 %), and menaquinone MK-7 was the only respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain No.6T was 36.8 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain No.6T fell within the evolutionary group encompassed by the genus Sphingobacterium . Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the novel strain and the type strains of recognized Sphingobacterium species ranged from 92.1 to 99.1 %, the highest values being with Sphingobacterium siyangense SY1T (99.1 %) and Sphingobacterium multivorum IAM 14316T (98.5 %). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain No.6T and these two type strains were 32.0 and 5.7 %, respectively. The polar lipids found in strain No.6T were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified aminophospholipids, one glycolipid and four unidentified lipids. One unidentified sphingolipid was also found. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain No.6T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium cladoniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is No.6T ( = KCTC 22613T = JCM 16113T). An emended description of Sphingobacterium siyangense is also proposed.

Lichens produce unique polyketide sec- ondary metabolites including depsides, depsidones, dibenzofurans and depsones. The biosynthesis of these compounds is governed by polyketide synthase (PKS), but the mechanism via which they are produced has remained unclear until now. We reported the 6-methylsalicylic acid synthase (6-MSAS) type of PKS gene, which is a member of the fungal- reducing PKSs. A cultured mycobiont of Cladonia metacorallifera was employed in the isolation and characterization of a polyketide synthase gene (CmPKS1). The complete sequence information for CmPKS1 was acquired via the screening of a Fosmid genomic library with a 456 bp fragment correspond- ing to part of the acyl transferase (AT) domain as a probe. CmPKS1 contains b-ketoacyl synthase (KS), AT, dehydratase (DH), ketoreductase (KR) and phosphopantetheine attachment site (PP) do- mains.: The domain organization of CmPKS1 (KS- AT-DH-KR-PP) is a typical 6-MSAS-type PKS, and the results of phylogenetic analysis showed that CmPKS1 grouped with other fungal-reducing PKSs. Quantita- tive real time PCR analyses showed that CmPKS1 was expressed preferentially in the early growth stage of the axenically cultured mycobiont. Furthermore CmPKS1 expression was found to be dependent on the carbon sources and concentrations in the medium.

Lethariella zahlbruckneri has been traditionally used in tea and medicines in China. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer properties of L. zahlbruckneri acetone extract (AEL) and to explore its potential mechanisms on MCF- 7 human breast cancer cells. The polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations of were 14.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and 6.5 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. AEL inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time dependent manner. AEL significantly induced apoptotic cell death, resulting in an increase in the sub-G1 apoptotic cell population, apoptotic DNA fragmentation, and a morphological change. Pretreatment with a caspase inhibitor modestly attenuated the AEL-induced increase in the sub-G1 cell population, implying that caspases play a partial role in AEL-induced apoptosis. Moreover, AEL-induced apoptosis was associated with changes of caspase activities, up-regulation of the apoptotic protein (Bax), and down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2). AEL also induced apoptosis-inducing factor-release from mitochondria, indicating apoptosis stimulation through a caspaseindependent pathway. These results suggest that AEL exerts its anti-cancer effects on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells through mitochondrial caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptotic pathways.

Cultures of the water fern Azolla pinnata R, Br. exposed for 1 week to atmospheric NO2 (50, 100 or 200 nl l-1) induced additional levels of nitrate reductase (NaR) protein and nitrite reductase (NiR) activity. At low concentrations of NO2 (50 nl l-1), nitrate derived from NO2 provides an alternative N source for Azolla but does not affect rates of acetylene reduction. However, the symbiotic relationship between Azolla and its endosymbiont, Anabaena azollae is only affected adversely by high concentrations (100 and 200 nl l-1) of atmospheric NO2. The resultant decreases in rate of growth, nitrogen fixation, heterocyst formation, and overall nitrogen cycling are probably due to the additional accumulation of N products derived from higher levels of atmospheric NO2. Parallel increases in levels of polyamines suggest that Azolla partially alleviates these harmful effects by incorporating some of the extra NO2-induced N into polyamines.

Anthracnose symptoms caused by Glomerella cingulata were observed on leaves and stems of gardenia in Sunchon, Jeonnam in Korea in 2000. Symptoms on infected plants typically appeared as irregularly circular, dark-brown ring spots and water-soaked brown lesions. Based on cultural and morphological characteristics, the fungus (G-00-03 isolate) from the diseased plants was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and its teleomorph stage was Glomerella cingulata. Healthy gardenia artificially inoculated with fungal spores showed anthracnose symptom 7 days after inoculation. This is the first report of gardenia anthracnose caused by Glomerella cingulata in Korea.

Immobilized TiO2 photocatalysts were used to sterilize and reclaim the wastewater of bean sprout cultivation from a continuous hydro-circulation system. The photocatalysts effectively killed bacteria and degraded organic pollutants in the wastewater. Stimulation of bean sprout growth and suppression of decaying pathogens were also induced by the TiO2 photocatalytic activity.

The water fern Azolla pinnata R. Br. was fumigated for 1 week with either 25, 50 or 100 nl 1−1 SO2. The symbiosis of Azolla with Anabaena azollae (spp.) was severely damaged by atmospheric SO2 even at concentrations as low as 25 nl 1−1, with significant reductions in growth, reduction of C2H2, NH3 assimilation, protein synthesis, and heterocyst development. These disturbances appear to be mainly responsible for the extreme sensitivity of this fern to atmospheric SO2. Changes in violaxanthin/antheraxanthin and epoxy-lutein/lutein ratios also indicate that free radical products are induced by atmospheric SO2. These results suggest that the Azolla-Anabaena symbiotic system is a very responsive and reliable lower plant model to study the detailed effects of total sulphur deposition upon the balances between various important plant metabolic processes.

This study describes two new records of the lichen genus Placynthiella (P. hyporhoda and P. icmalea) from South Korea. A brief taxonomic description and comments are provided for the new records. An artificial key is also provided for known species of this genus in South Korea.

The reducing polyketide synthases found in filamentous fungi are involved in the biosynthesis of many drugs and toxins. Lichens produce bioactive polyketides, but the roles of reducing polyketide synthases in lichens remain to be clearly elucidated. In this study, a reducing polyketide synthase gene (U1PKS3) was isolated and characterized from a cultured mycobiont of Usnea longissima. Complete sequence information regarding U1PKS3 (6,519 bp) was obtained by screening a fosmid genomic library. A U1PKS3 sequence analysis suggested that it contains features of a reducing fungal type I polyketide synthase with β-ketoacyl synthase (KS), acyltransferase (AT), dehydratase (DH), enoyl reductase (ER), ketoacyl reducatse (KR), and acyl carrier protein (ACP) domains. This domain structure was similar to the structure of ccRadsl, which is known to be involved in resorcylic acid lactone biosynthesis in Chaetomium chiversii. The results of phylogenetic analysis located U1PKS3 in the clade of reducing polyketide synthases. RT-PCR analysis results demonstrated that UIPKS3 had six intervening introns and that UIPKS3 expression was upregulated by glucose, sorbitol, inositol, and mannitol.

The paper describes identification of new microlichen (Sculptolumina japonica) in South Korea. A detailed taxonomic description and comments are presented for the taxa studied. Lichen genus Sculptolumina is reported for the first time for this country.

In this paper, we describe Endocarpon subramulosum as a new species from temperate regions of South Korea, which grows over soil on rocks. The proposed new species is morphologically similar to E. ramulosum Harada, which has so far been reported from Japan.

The paper describes two new records of micro-lichens from South Korea. Detailed taxonomic descriptions and comments are presented for both of the studied taxa. The lichen genus Thelotrema is reported for the first time in Korea.

Lichens are predominant and important components of flora in the terrestrial ecosystem of Antarctica. However, relatively few researches on the phylogenetic position of Antarctic lichen-forming fungi have been accomplished. In this study, partial sequences of nuclear large subunit rDNAs from 50 Antarctic specimens were obtained and the phylogeny was reconstructed. Antarctic lichen species were distributed among 4 orders, including the monophyletic order Agyrales, paraphyletic orders Pertusariales and Teloschistales, and polyphyletic order Lecanorales. Species diversity was highest in the order Lecanorales, followed by Teloschistales and Pertusariales. Based on the phylogeny and sequence similarity analyses, it is proposed that the taxonomy of Stereocaulon alpinum, Physcia caesia, Usnea aurantiacoatra, and Cladonia species should be revised by careful examination of their phenotypic and molecular characteristics. Six species known to be endemic to Antarctica, Catillaria corymbosa, Himantormia lugubris, Leptogium puberulum, Pertusaria pertusa, Rhizoplaca aspidophora, and Umbilicaria antarctica, formed unique lineages, implying independent origins in the Antarctic area.

A heavy metal resistant bacterium Bacillus spp. strain CPB4 was isolated from heavy metal contaminated soil in Korea and further characterised. The CPB4 strain showed a high capacity for uptake of heavy metal Pb (Pb > Cd > Cu > Ni > Co > Mn > Cr > Zn) both in single and in mixed heavy metal solution. Optimal conditions for heavy metal uptakes of CPB4 strain were 20–40 °C culture temperature, 5–7 pH and 24 h pre-culture times. TEM showed that large amounts of the electron-dense granules (heavy metal complexes) were found mainly on the cell wall and cell membrane. Furthermore, more than 90% of adsorbed heavy metals were distributed both in cell wall and in cell membrane fractions. The amount of heavy metal uptake was remarkably decreased by reducing the crude protein contents when cells were treated by alkali solutions. Therefore, this study showed one of the possible examples for useful bioremediation.

As part of the long-term monitoring projects on Antarctic terrestrial vegetation in relation to global climate change, a lichen floristical survey was conducted around the Korean Antarctic Station (King Sejong Station), which is located on Barton Peninsula, King George Island, in January and February of 2006. Two hundred and twenty-five lichen specimens were collected and sixty-two lichen species in 38 genera were identified by morphological characteristics, chemical constituents, TLC analysis and ITS nucleotide sequence analysis.

Karoowia saxeti was recorded during the lichen field expedition in southern part of Korea in 2006. The lichen was found on the rock surface along coastal line. This species was easily recognized by chemistry (K+ yellow) and the presence of isidia. Thallus was saxicolous, subcrustose, more or less lobate at the center with clearly lobed margins, 2~6 cm broad and pale yellowish green. Thalli lobes were irregular, variable, up to 1.0mm wide, not branched, flat to more or less convex and contiguous to subimbricate. Upper surface of the thalli was continuous, emaculate, moderately isidiate. The isidia was subglobose to cynlindrical, darkening at the tips and unbranched. Low surface of the thalii was black with a spongy rhizoidal and lamellar layer. HPLC analysis proved the presence of stictic acid (K+ yellow), norstictic acid and usnic acid. This is the first record of the species in South Korea.

Fifty-six species in 36 genera of macrolichens are reported from the Zhongdian area, northwest Yunnan, China during the lichenological expedition for highland macrolichen survey in June, 2004. More than 60% of these species have not been reported in South Korea. All of the 182 collected specimens are deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI) at Sunchon National University in Korea, and some of them are duplicated in the lichen herbarium, Crytogamic Herbarium, Kunming Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica (KUN-L) in China. This is the first report on the macrolichen flora in the visited areas.

The occurrence of strA-strB streptomycin-resistance genes within transposon Tn5393 was examined in Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, P. syringae pv. syringae, and P. marginalis, isolated from kiwifruit plants in Korea and Japan. PCR amplification with primers specific to strA-strB revealed that three of the tested Pseudomonas species harbored these genes for a streptomycin-resistance determinant. Tn5393, containing strA-strB, was also identified with PCR primers designed to amplify parts of tnpA, res, and tnpR. No IS elements were detected within tnpR, nor were they found in the intergenic region between tnpR and strA. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the strA sequence of P. syringae pv. actinidiae contained a single nucleotide alteration at position 593 (CAA--CGA), as compared to Tn5393a in P. syringae pv. syringae. This resulted in an amino acid change, from Gln to Arg.

This study reports, for the first time, the investigation of the distribution of Korean saxicolous lichens in the coastal rocks of U-do islet, which is known as an unpolluted zone in Jeju. More than thirty lichens were obtained and investigated from the coastal rocks frequently contacted by seawater. A molecular analysis using PCR amplification of the rRNA ITS regions revealed the coastal rock lichens could be placed into 8 families and 14 genera, Ramalinaceae (Bacidia, Ramalina), Physciaceae (Buellia, Dirinaria, Phaeophyscia, Physcia, Pyxine), Lecanoraceae (Candelaria, Lecanora), Parmeliaceae (Xanthoparmelia), Graphidaceae (Graphis), Pertusariaceae (Pertusaria), Rhizocarpaceae (Rhizocarpon), and Teloschistaceae (Caloplaca), showing a diversity of lichens, with foliose (flat leaf-like), crustose (crust-like), and fruticose (miniature shrub-like) life forms might be distributed in the coastal rocks. These findings suggested the possibility that the lichens identified in the present work might be resistant to a salty environment.

After an overview on the temporary situation of the lichenology in South Korea, localities of 95 macrolichen taxa are reported for South Korea. In this revised lichen flora of South Korea, 16 species are apparently new to the territory. Voucher specimens have been deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI) at Sunchon National University in Korea, and duplicates have also been donated to the National History Museum and Institute, in Chiba, (CBM) Japan.

Lichens are symbiotic organisms which produce distinct secondary metabolic products. In the present study, we tested the cytotoxic activity of 17 lichen species against several human cancer cells and further investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-cancer activity. We found that among 17 lichens species, F. cucullata exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity in several human cancer cells. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the acetone extract of F. cucullata contains usnic acid, salazinic acid, Squamatic acid, Baeomycesic acid, d-protolichesterinic acid, and lichesterinic acid as subcomponents. MTT assay showed that cancer cell lines were more vulnerable to the cytotoxic effects of the extract than non-cancer cell lines. Furthermore, among the identified subcomponents, usnic acid treatment had a similar cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines but with lower potency than the extract. At a lethal dose, treatment with the extract or with usnic acid greatly increased the apoptotic cell population and specifically activated the apoptotic signaling pathway; however, using sub-lethal doses, extract and usnic acid treatment decreased cancer cell motility and inhibited in vitro and in vivo tumorigenic potentials. In these cells, we observed significantly reduced levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and phosphor-Akt, while phosphor-c-Jun and phosphor-ERK1/2 levels were only marginally affected. Overall, the anti-cancer activity of the extract is more potent than that of usnic acid alone. Taken together, F. cucullata and its subcomponent, usnic acid together with additional component, exert anti-cancer effects on human cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis and the inhibition of EMT.

In the genus Xanthoparmelia, species boundaries are based on morphological and chemical features such as the presence and/or absence of secondary metabolites, diagnostic reproductive structures, isidia morphology, and color of lower surface. Two new species of Xanthoparmelia are described from South Korea, X. kolriana with cylindrical isidia containing atranorin and salazinic acid as major components in the medulla together with cortical usnic acid, while X. volcanicola is characterised by a red coloured medulla, and subglobose isidia. The characteristics of Xanthoparmelia species and their distribution in South Korea are outlined and an identification key given. Additionally, we used ITS ribosomal DNA sequences to assess the monophyly of Xanthoparmelia species from South Korea. Our results reveal that traditionally circumscribed species were not recovered as monophyletic clades. Further, we here show that ITS is insufficient to estimate a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis, but suggests that traditional taxonomy may not reflect natural groups. This communication provides an important framework for future studies assessing species boundaries in Xanthoparmelia species in South Korea.

Cladonia peziziformis (With.) J.R. Laundon was collected from Baega mountain, Jeonnam Province, Korea in 2008. It is characterized by short and slender podetia with verruculose surface, split along the sides. Apothecia large, pale brown, always growing on the top of the podetia. Primary squamules shell-like, thick, and convex. Fumarprotocetraric acid contained in thallus. This is the first record of this species in Korea.

Taxonomic study of the crustose lichen Porpidia was performed in this paper. Three species are described, including two recorded species and one new record: Porpidia macrocarpa (DC.) Hertel & A. J. Schwab. A description of each species is presented along with morphological, anatomic, and chemical characteristics. A key to the identification of species of Porpidia is also presented.

The paper describes two new records of the lichen genus Buellia (B. badia and B. nashii) from South Korea. A detailed taxonomic description and comments are presented for both taxa. An updated key representing all Buellia species known from South Korea is also provided.

This study describes a new record of a thelotremoid lichen (Leucodecton desquamescens) from South Korea. The taxon is characterized by thick, bulging thallus with many calcium oxalate crystal inclusions; an immersed, round to irregular ascomata with free exciple, ellipsoid to ± roundish submuriform, brown ascospores, and lack of secondary metabolites. A detailed taxonomic description and comments are presented for this taxon. The lichen genus Leucodecton is reported for the first time in South Korea.

The lichenicolous fungi flora of South Korea is poorly known. During recent field trips to various parts of South Korea and after an extensive examination of herbarium lichen specimens, we encountered a lichenicolous fungi growing over a thallus of the lichen Ochrolechia yasudae Vain., characterized by small black apothecia with mostly three-septate brown ascospores. It was identified as Dactylospora glaucomarioides. This is the first report of this lichenicolous fungus from South Korea. A taxonomic description and comments are presented.

Based on a literature survey and assessment of the important features of lichen genus Buellia (spore shape and size, anatomy of the exciple as well as analysis of the lichen substances), the present paper describes four new records of B. maritima, B. polyspora, B. spuria and B. stellulata from South Korea. Among them, B. maritima and B. polyspora are firstly reported in East Asia including in China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Brief description of all the new records along with earlier described species placed under genus Amandinea and Hafellia are provided with their distribution and chemistry. A key to all the Buellia species reported so far from South Korea is also provided.

The effect of plant hormones on the growth of lichen-forming fungi (LFF) was evaluated. The use of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid and indole-3-butyric acid resulted in a 99% and 57% increase in dry weight of the lichen-forming fungus Nephromopsis ornata. The results suggest that some plant hormones can be used as inducers or stimulators of LFF growth for large-scale culture.

The paper describes nine new records of macro- and micro-lichens from Korea. A brief taxonomic description and comments are presented for all the studied taxa (Catapyrenium squamellum, Chrysothrix candelaris, Endocarpon pallidulum, Endocarpon petrolepideum, Lecanora oreinoides, Leprocaulon albicans, Parmotrema saccatilobum, Verrucaria glaucina and Xanthoria parietina). The lichen genera Catapyrenium, Chrysothrix and Verrucaria are reported for the first time in this country.

A taxonomic study of Peltigera in South Korea was performed. The phylogenetic analysis based on nr DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences suggests that Peltigera is a well-supported monophyletic group. Important characteristics are the phycobiont type of thallus and the vein type at the lower cortex (wide and flat, or narrow and ridged). The vertical or horizontal arrangement of the apothecia is also important in distinguishing species in this genus. Eleven species of Peltigera were revealed and confirmed, which included one new record, P. elisabethae. A description of each species is presented with morphological, anatomic, and chemical characteristics, and comparisons between similar species are made. A key to the species is also presented.

This study was aimed at evaluating the growth promoting effect of symbiotic algal polyol (ribitol) and plant hormones on the lichen-forming fungi (LFF), Ramalina farinacea (CH050010 and 40403) and Ramalina fastigiata. The addition of ribitol to basal (malt-yeast extract) medium enhanced the relative growth rates of all three LFF. R. farinacea (CH050010), R. farinacea (40403) and R. fastigiata (H06127) showed 35.3%, 29.0% and 29.3% higher growth rates, respectively, compared to the control. IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and TIBA (2,3,5-tridobenzoic acid) also increased growth rates of the LFF by 34 to 64% and 7 to 28%, respectively, compared to the control. The combination of ribitol with IBA or TIBA synergistically increased the growth of all LFF. For example, ribitol and IBA treatments increased growth rates of R. farinacea (CH050010), R. farinacea (40403) and R. fastigiata (H06127) by 79.4%, 40.3% and 72.8% in, respectively, compared to those grown on the basal medium. The stimulating effect of ribitol and IBA on the LFF growth induced vertical development of the fungal mass in culture. We suggest that lichen-forming fungal growth of Ramalina lichens can be stimulated aposymbiotically by supplementing polyols and plant hormones to the basal medium in the mass production of lichen secondary metabolites under large scale culture conditions.

In previous studies investigating the genus Xanthoparmelia, thirteen different species have been reported from South Korea alone. However, there currently has been no revisional study performed until now. To explore the genus Xanthoparmelia, a phenotypic analysis was performed based on morphological, anatomical and chemical characters, while an investigation of Xanthoparmelia phylogeny was based on nuclear ribosomal (nr) DNA ITS sequences. A thorough examination of the specimens deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI) confirmed that eight species of Xanthoparmelia occur inside South Korea. Our analysis further confirmed the colors of the lower surface and medullar chemistry are important taxonomic characters in Xanthoparmelia. This study also presents a detailed description of each species and a key to the genus.

Seventy-two lichen specimens of Cetrelia collected in South Korea since 2003 were examined by both phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses. The phenotypic analysis was based on morphological and chemical characters, and the phylogenetic analysis was based on nrDNA ITS sequences. The result suggested that the presence and absence of isidia, soredia, lobules and medullar reaction C+ or C- are the important characters in the taxonomy of this genus. Four species of Cetrelia, C. chicitae, C. braunsiana, C. japonica, and C. pseudolivetorum have been identified in this study. Description of each species is presented with morphological and chemical characters. A key to the Cetrelia species is also presented.

Lecanora muralis was found on the rock along coastal line during the field trip in Jeju island in 2006. Thallus crustose, placodioid, closely adnate, forming orbicular patches; upper surface grayish green, glossy; central lobes areolate, marginal parts plane, edges thin pruinose; lower surface ecorticate; apothecia sessile, lecanorine type, exciple dense and intact when young, and disc plane, but when mature, exciple laciniate, disc protrudent, yellowish brown to orange, 0.5~1.5 mm in diameter; ascospores ellipsoid, simple, colorless, 12.5~15.0 × 5.0~7.5 µm. Usnic acid and zeorin contained in thallus. This is the first record of this species in South Korea.

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 linoleic 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.

The northwestern part of Yunnan and western part of Sichuan provinces belongs to the Chinese Hengduanshan Mountains, which is part of the east of the great Himalayas and often eulogized as the third polar of the world (Wang, 1993). Average elevation is over 3,800 m in the area. This area is well known for its rich flora of lichen species in the world. Recently some interesting lichen species have been found from this area (Jorgensen, 1972; McCune et al., 2003; Wang and Chen, 1994; Wang and Harada, 2001, 2003). The genus of Bryoria Brodo & Hawksw belongs to order Lecanorales, suborder Lecanorineae, and family Parmeliaceae (Brodo and Hawksworth, 1977; Nash, 1996). It has the fruticose thalllus composed of a prominent cortex and medulla of arachnoid hyphae with Trebouxioid phycobionts, lateral apothecia, and colorless simple ascospores. Forty six species were accepted in the world (Brodo and Hawksworth, 1977). Among them, 14 species were known in India and Nepal of the South Himalayas (Awasthi and Awasthi, 1985), and 14 species were recorded in the Sino-Himalayas (Jorgensen, 1972; Wei, 1991; Wang and Chen, 1994; Wang and Harada, 2001; Wu and Wang, 1992). Bryoria navornikiana and B. furcellata were newly identified during the extensive herbarium study of the specimens. Morphology, habitat, chemistry and distribution of the two species were described in this paper.