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Candelariella xanthostigmoides is newly reported from East Asia. It was collected on bark of Tsuga diversifolia in Honshu (Japan) at elevations between 900 and 1100 m. Characteristic features of the species, distribution and the comparison with the closest species are given., Candelariella xanthostigmoides приводится впервые для Восточной Азии. Вид был собран на коре Tsuga diversifolia на о. Хонсю (Япония) на высоте между 900 и 1100 м над ур. м. Приводятся характерные признаки вида, распространение и сравнение с близкими видами.

The following noteworthy species were identified based on foliicolous lichen material collected in 2011 and 2019 on Iriomote Island: Byssoloma chlorinum, B. vanderystii and Gallaicolichen pacificus, reported as new to Japan, and B. minutissimum and Fellhanera rhapidophylli, reported as new to Iriomote Island. Hyphophores and diahyphae of Tricharia kashiwadanii were described for the first time, based on the original material and a collection from Iriomote Island. The mtSSU sequences of B. chlorinum, Porina kamerunensis and T. kashiwadanii were obtained for the first time as well as additional sequences of B. annuum, B. vanderystii, Eugeniella micromata. The mtSSU sequence was obtained from the specimens were compared in terms of homology with those registered in GenBank.

Ten species in the lichen family Pannariaceae were identified based on the examination of Taiwanese collections housed in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan. Among them, seven species are new records to Taiwan: Fuscopannaria ahlneri, F. dispersa, F. sorediata, Kroswia gemmascens, Pannaria asahinae, P. rubiginosa and Parmeliella pannosa. Their morphology, ecology, and phytogeography are discussed. Vahliella leucophae was deleted from the Taiwan list of Pannariaceae lichens.

Five species of lichenicolous fungi are described as new to science:Buelliella ohmuraeZhurb. & Diederich (onIcmadophila), with a non-granulose epihymenium, not or only slightly enlarged, pale brown apical cells of paraphysoids and 1-septate, smooth ascospores;Catillaria japonicaZhurb. & Hafellner (onDibaeisandPseudobaeomyces), with a medium to dark reddish brown epihymenium, exciple and hypothecium, rather frequently branched and anastomosed paraphyses with only slightly enlarged apical cells without a dark cap, andCatillaria-type asci;Cryptodiscus ihleniiZhurb. (onDibaeis), with persistently immersed ascomata, non-amyloid asci and hymenium, not or only slightly enlarged apical cells of paraphyses and narrowly obovate, 1-septate ascospores;Llimoniella chilensisZhurb. (onDibaeisand a sterile microsquamulose lichen), with a K+ green exciple and epihymenium and aseptate, broadly ellipsoid ascospores; andStigmidium phyllobaeidisZhurb., Etayo & Flakus (on apothecial discs ofPhyllobaeis), with a hemiamyloid interascal gel, not previously reported in that genus, well-developed, 1‒2(‒4)-celled periphysoids, elongate asci and hyaline, 1-septate ascospores. An undescribed species ofArthonia(onPseudobaeomyces) is briefly characterized.Sphaerellothecium coniodesis newly reported for Asia. A key to the 32 species of lichenicolous fungi and lichens known to occur on baeomycetoid lichens andIcmadophilais provided.

Specimens of lichens collected from southern Myanmar including Tanintharyi and Yangon Regions were examined. As the result of taxonomic examinations, the following 20 species were identified: Astrothelium macrocarpum, Bulbothrix subscortea, Coccocarpia erythroxyli, C. palmicola, Cruentotrema thailandicum, Dirinaria aegialita, D. consimilis, Dyplolabia afzelii, Flakea papillata, Glyphis cicatricosa, Graphis cf. caesiella, G. desquamescens, G. supracola, Malmidea bakeri, Physcia undulata, Pyrenula mamillana, Pyxine dactyloschmidtii, Sarcographa labyrinthica, Trypethelium eluteriae, and Zwackhia prosodea. All of them, except the two species of Coccocarpia, are new records for Myanmar. The ITS rDNA sequences were successfully obtained from 17 samples for 14 species. The BLAST identities for Myanmar collections with the same species in GenBank range from 89 to 100%.

Porpidinia brevispora sp. nov. from Shikhote-Alin Range, Primorye Territory, Russian Far East is described and illustrated. The new species resembles Porpidinia tumidula morphologically, but is distinct in its spherical to ellipsoid, significantly smaller ascospores that do not overlap in size with those of P. tumidula, as well as a lower hymenium with paraphyses embedded into hyaline gelatinous envelopes, up to 5 µm wide. Porpidinia brevispora inhabits carbonate rocks at low elevations.

The global decline in biodiversity has invigorated the field of conservation biology, leading to investigation of species at risk of extinction in hopes of generating effective conservation strategies. Some highly diverse taxa, such as lichens, have received considerably less conservation attention, compared to plants and vertebrates. Here we add present the results of a comprehensive demographic survey and IUCN risk assessment of Cladonia submitis, a conspicuous macrolichen endemic to the Mid-Atlantic coast of eastern North America, across the core of its range. While it was found at several new locations, we found the species had disappeared from many locations where it once occurred. This decline, in conjunction with its restricted range, supports a status of Endangered under IUCN guidelines. While fire and sea level rise likely pose threats to the species, the most immediate threat is urbanization and alteration of coastal dunes. This evaluation does not consider collections from Japan and Sakhalin Island which have been assigned as C. submitis, due to differences in range, habitat and morphology that suggest this identification is inaccurate. In the absence of a proper taxonomic assessment or phylogenetic study to answer this question of identity, Japanese specimens could not be considered in this assessment. Altogether, this study provides a basis for effective management strategies of this charismatic species whose core range consists of the densely populated region between the American cities of Boston and Washington, D.C.

The circumscription of the lichenized ascomycete genusIcmadophilaTrevis. in the familyIcmadophilaceaeTriebel was investigated. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nuLSU) were generated for the fiveIcmadophilaspecies and additional members ofIcmadophilaceaefrom the generaDibaeis,Endocena,Knightiella,Siphula,SiphulellaandThamnolia. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that threeIcmadophilaspecies are closely related: the type,I. ericetorum(L.) Zahlbr., which is widespread in Eurasia and North America,I. aversa(Nyl.) Rambold & Hertel from Central and South America, andI. japonica(Zahlbr.) Rambold & Hertel, which is restricted to Far East Russia and Japan. The genusKnightiellaMüll. Arg. is reinstated to accommodateI. splachnirima(Hook.f. & Taylor) D. J. Galloway emend. L. Ludw., which occurs in New Zealand and Australia. Two further species ofKnightiella,K. eucalypti(Kantvilas) Kantvilas andK. queenslandicaKantvilas, are found to be unrelated toK. splachnirima, and are accommodated in two newly described genera,KnightiellastrumandSiphulopsisrespectively.KnightiellastrumL. Ludw. & Kantvilas is characterized by a squamulose, erhizinate, whitish to pale grey thallus with a green, coccoid photobiont and by containing thamnolic acid.SiphulopsisKantvilas & A. R. Nilsen is similarly characterized by an erhizinate, whitish to pale grey thallus, with a green, coccoid photobiont and containing thamnolic acid, but is instead fruticose. This study reveals considerable diversity within AustralasianIcmadophilaceae; ongoing work in the Southern Hemisphere and tropical regions may reveal additional species in this family and clarify the relationships of these newly described genera.

The genus Arthrorhaphis is a group of ascomycetes comprising lichenised and non-lichenised taxa from temperate to arctic-alpine regions in both hemispheres. Nine species and two infraspecific taxa are currently recognised. Their delimitation, inter-relationships, and phylogenetic placement remain poorly understood. We have used an integrative taxonomic approach to assess taxon limits, phylogenetic placement of the family, and to test the hypothesis that transition to lichenisation has happened only once. We present a first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis of all but one known Arthrorhaphis species based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses of multilocus DNA sequence data. Our results support monophyly of Arthrorhaphis, phylogenetic placement in the Ostropomycetidae, and lichenisation having evolved from lichenicolous ancestors only once. The lichenicolous Arthrorhaphis species are well-defined both morphologically and genetically. The lichenised A. alpina s.l. and A. citrinella s.l., however, include multiple genetic clades that are partly supported by phenotypic data. We split A. citrinella s.l. into the following five species: (1) A. bullata sp. nov., (2) A. catolechioides comb. & stat. nov., (3) A. citrinella, (4) A. farinosa sp. nov., and (5) A. vulgaris comb. & stat. nov. A sixth phylogenetic clade from the Neotropics remains undescribed herein due to insufficient data. Five circumarctic accessions of A. alpina s.l. form a genetically distinct but morphologically poorly understood clade sister to the alpina-vacillans clade, which we preliminarily name “A. septentrionalis”. Jointly, our multispecies coalescence analyses, of both single-locus (bGMYC) and multilocus (bPtP, bP&P) datasets, largely support our proposed species hypotheses in Arthrorhaphis.

Phylogenetic reconstructions based on ITS/5.8S and mtSSU DNA sequence data suggest a close relationship between twoLecanoraspecies containing calycin and usnic acid and theLecanora polytropagroup.Lecanora solarisYakovchenko & Davydov sp. nov. is described from the Altai Mountains in Russia. Its gross morphology resembles that ofL. somervelliias both species have an effigurate, citrine-yellow thallus (due to the production of calycin). However,L. solarisis distinguished fromL. somervelliiby having a small, squamulose to marginally lobate umbilicate thallus and apothecia with a persistent margin, whereasL. somervelliihas a large, distinctly placodioid thallus and an apothecial margin that is soon excluded.

We investigated the radiocaesium content of nine epiphytic foliose lichens species and the adjacent barks of Zelkova serrata (Ulmaceae, "Japanese elm") and Cerasus sp. (Rosaceae, "Cherry tree") at the boundary of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station six years after the accident in 2011. Caesium-137 activities per unit area (the 137Cs-inventory) were determined to compare radiocaesium retentions of lichens (65 specimens) and barks (44 specimens) under the same growth conditions. The 137Cs-inventory of lichens collected from Zelkova serrata and Cerasus sp. were respectively 7.9- and 3.8-times greater than the adjacent barks. Furthermore, we examined the radiocaesium distribution within these samples using autoradiography and on the surfaces with an electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA). Autoradiographic results showed strong local spotting and heterogeneous distributions of radioactivity in both the lichen and bark samples, although the intensities were lower in the barks. The electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that particulates with similar sizes and compositions were distributed on the surfaces of the samples. We therefore concluded that the lichens and barks could capture fine particles, including radiocaesium particles. In addition, radioactivity was distributed more towards the inwards of the lichen samples than the peripheries. This suggests that lichen can retain 137Cs that is chemically immobilised in particulates intracellularly, unlike bark.

Yakovchenko, L., Davydov, E. A., Paukov, A., Konoreva, L., Chesnokov, S. & Ohmura, Y. 2020. New records of arctic-alpine lichens from the Russian Far East. – Herzogia 33: 455 – 472.New localities are given for 19 lichen species from the Russian Far East. Aspicilia asteria and A. umbrinella are reported for Russia for the first time. Buellia lacteoidea, B. ocellata, Dermatocarpon polyphyllizum, Lecanora reagens, and Miriquidica pycnocarpa are newly reported for the Russian Far East. Buellia lacteoidea is reported for the second time from Eurasia and Russia. Lecanora argentea, Lecidea promiscua, Miriquidica leucophaea, Placopsis cribellans, Rhizocarpon saanaёnse and Rimularia badioatra are recorded for the first time for the southern Far East. Rhizocarpon polycarpum is a new species for Primorye Territory, and Acarospora veronensis and Rimularia limborina are new for Sakhalin. Lecanora gangaleoides, Umbilicaria hyperborea, and U. herrei are confirmed for Sakhalin. Characteristic features of the species, including those that distinguish them from their closest relatives, and species' distribution and ranges are described. Aspicilia pseudovulcanica S.Y.Kondr. et al. is synonymized with A. asteria Hue, and A. submamillata S.Y.Kondr. et al. is synonymized with A. umbrinella Hue.

Background Symbiosis is central to ecosystems and has been an important driving force of the diversity of life. Close and long-term interactions are known to develop cooperative molecular mechanisms between the symbiotic partners and have often given them new functions as symbiotic entities. In lichen symbiosis, mutualistic relationships between lichen-forming fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria produce unique features that make lichens adaptive to a wide range of environments. Although the morphological, physiological, and ecological uniqueness of lichens has been described for more than a century, the genetic mechanisms underlying this symbiosis are still poorly known. Results This study investigated the fungal-algal interaction specific to the lichen symbiosis using Usnea hakonensis as a model system. The whole genome of U. hakonensis, the fungal partner, was sequenced by using a culture isolated from a natural lichen thallus. Isolated cultures of the fungal and the algal partners were co-cultured in vitro for 3 months, and thalli were successfully resynthesized as visible protrusions. Transcriptomes of resynthesized and natural thalli (symbiotic states) were compared to that of isolated cultures (non-symbiotic state). Sets of fungal and algal genes up-regulated in both symbiotic states were identified as symbiosis-related genes. Conclusion From predicted functions of these genes, we identified genetic association with two key features fundamental to the symbiotic lifestyle in lichens. The first is establishment of a fungal symbiotic interface: (a) modification of cell walls at fungal-algal contact sites; and (b) production of a hydrophobic layer that ensheaths fungal and algal cells;. The second is symbiosis-specific nutrient flow: (a) the algal supply of photosynthetic product to the fungus; and (b) the fungal supply of phosphorous and nitrogen compounds to the alga. Since both features are widespread among lichens, our result may indicate important facets of the genetic basis of the lichen symbiosis.

Zhurbenko M.P., Tadome K. & Ohmura Y. 2018: Pronectria japonica species nova and a key to the lichenicolous fungi and lichens growing on Ochrolechia. – Herzogia 31: 494–504.Pronectria japonica growing on an unidentified Ochrolechia species is described as new to science. Dactylospora glaucomarioides, D. cf. pertusariicola, Lichenodiplis anomala, L. ochrolechiae, and Sagediopsis campsteriana are newly reported for Japan. Pyrenidium actinellum s. l. is for the first time documented on Ochrolechia. A key to the known species of lichenicolous fungi and lichens growing on Ochrolechia is presented.

Photobiont diversity within populations of a vegetatively reproducing lichen can be generated by photobiont switching between the original lichen photobiont and the compatible algal partners on its surrounding substrate. The hypothesis was tested using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) with a partial rbcL sequence amplified from thalli of Parmotrema tinctorum and from the substrate immediately adjacent to each thallus. On the surface of tombstones where P. tinctorum was growing, only various haplotypes of Trebouxia corticola (s. lat.) that is characterized by having distinct starch sheaths surrounding the pyrenoid were detected. DGGE could detect one to five bands of T. corticola (s. lat.) haplotypes on each substrate, and one (or rarely two) of them was often identical with the photobiont haplotype of P. tinctorum growing on the same tombstone. Through PCR screening directed at a fungal rDNA fragment, many substrate samples were found to be free of microscopic contamination from P. tinctorum. Individual algal haplotypes from the substrate were identified by sequencing of the DGGE rbcL bands and compared to the corresponding sequences of the P. tinctorum photobionts. The presence of compatible algae on the lichen substrate and the genetic identity between some of the substrate algae and those in the lichen suggest the possibility of photobiont switching in vegetatively reproducing lichens like P. tinctorum. The following observations also support the phenomenon of photobiont switching: 1) high genetic diversity of photobiont in small populations; 2) multiple photobionts in a single thallus; 3) incomplete correspondence in co-phylogenetic analyses between mycobiont and photobiont; and 4) clear selectivity for photobiont in diverse lichens.

The rare and poorly known Northern Hemisphere old‐growth forest lichen Arthonia incarnata is reported for the first time for Asia from Japan and Korea. A detailed description and illustration is provided for the species based on the collections from Japan and South Korea. Bayesian and RAxML analyses of mtSSU, nLSU and RPB2 sequence data show A. incarnata to be only distantly related to the other Arthonia species hitherto sequenced and in particular to superficially similar species occurring in the same type of habitat such as A. didyma, A. spadicea and A. vinosa. For the analysis we generated new sequence data of A. incarnata for the mtSSU (5 specimens) and RPB2 (5) gene loci. Slight variation was observed in sequence data of the RPB2 gene between collections from eastern Asia and Sweden, but this is not substantiated by differences in morphology or ecological behaviour. Arthonia incarnata is confined to humid forests and only grows on parts of tree trunks shaded from precipitation and running water such as the lower side of leaning trunks or cavities at the base of trees. The species is found on trees with acidic bark, in eastern Asia mainly on Betula but also on coniferous trees and on dead wood. It was not found on bark of Salix (caprea), a common substrate for the species in Europe.

Recent progress in molecular techniques has begun to alter traditional recognition of lichens as symbiotic organisms comprised of a fungus and photosynthetic partners (green algae and/or cyanobacteria). Diverse organisms, especially various non-photosynthetic bacteria, are now indicated to be integral components of lichen symbiosis. Although lichen-associated bacteria are inferred to have functions that could support the symbiosis, little is known about their physical and nutritional interaction with fungi and algae. In the present study, we identified specific interaction between a lichen-forming alga and a novel bacterium. Trebouxia alga was isolated from a lichen, Usnea hakonensis, and kept as a strain for 8 years. Although no visible bacterial colonies were observed in this culture, high-throughput sequencing of DNA isolated from the culture revealed that the strain is composed of a Trebouxia alga and an Alphaproteobacterium species. In situ hybridization showed that bacterial cells were localized on the surface of the algal cells. Physiological assays revealed that the bacterium was able to use ribitol, glucose and mannitol, all of which are known to exist abundantly in lichens. It was resistant to three antibiotics. Bacteria closely related to this species were also identified in lichen specimens, indicating that U. hakonensis may commonly associate with this group of bacteria. These features of the novel bacterium suggest that it may be involved in carbon cycling of U. hakonensis as a member of lichen symbiosis and less likely to have become associated with the alga after isolation from a lichen.

Candelariella blastidiata Yakovchenko sp. nov. is described. This corticolous species is characterized by biatorine yellow apothecia, a grey squamulose thallus with marginal and lower side blastidia, 8-spored asci, and a northern circumpolar distribution. Candelariella subdeflexa has previously been confused with C. blastidiata, but our analyses of phenotypic and DNA sequence data revealed C. blastidiata should be distinguished from C. subdeflexa. A worldwide key for Candelariella species with grey thalli is provided.

Perigrapha cetrariae growing on Cetraria laevigata is described from Japan. The new species differs from the generic type in having loculi completely embedded in a stroma and ascospores without caudate appendages.

In order to investigate statistically the physicochemical properties of the radiocaesium-bearing microparticles (CsMPs) emitted from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, an efficient method for collecting and separating the microparticles is required. In this study we established a separation method for CsMPs from lichens using electron microscopic analysis. Lichens were first digested within hydrogen peroxide and then an automatic particle analyser system based on FE-EPMA was used for detecting CsMPs within lots of mineral-like and metalic particles quickly. The elemental composition and radiocaesium activities of the separated CsMPs were measured, and the results suggest that the digestion treatment did not influence the CsMPs characteristics. An inhomogeneous elemental distribution was found in some CsMPs by two-dimensional elemental analysis using FE-EMPA. Our methods for separation of CsMPs and analysing their elemental composition are expected to be useful for grasping the chemical composition trends of CsMPs statistically as first step before more detailed analyses such as TEM analysis.

Ohmura, Y. & Mayrhofer, H. 2016. Protothelenella sphinctrinoides (Protothelenellaceae) new to Japan and new chemical features for several species in the genus. — Herzogia 29: 137–142. Protothelenella sphinctrinoides is newly reported for Japan (Hokkaido and central Honshu). It is a bryophilous lichen in arctic-alpine to boreal-montane and circumpolar regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Japanese collections were found on the bryophytes Andreaea rupestris var. fauriei, Cephalozia otaruensis, Dicranum viride var. hakkodense and Jungermannia sp. growing on soil or rock in alpine areas. Although no chemical substance has been reported for this species previously, an unidentified substance that can react C+ red was detected in all specimens collected in Europe and Japan. Other species of Protothelenella which also give a C+ red reaction are discussed.

Candelariella placodizans is newly reported from China. It was collected on exposed rocks with mosses on the alpine areas of Taiwan and Yunnan Province, China at elevation between 3200-4400 m. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS rDNA sequences were also performed to confirm the monophyly of the Chinese populations with respect to already existing sequences of the species, and then further to examine their relationships to other members of the genus. An identification key to all 14 known taxa of Candelariella in China is provided.

Zhurbenko, M. P., Frisch, A., Ohmura, Y. & Thor, G. 2015. Lichenicolous fungi from Japan and Korea: new species, new records and a first synopsis for Japan. — Herzogia 28: 762–789. Sixty six species of lichenicolous fungi are reported from Japan and eight species from South Korea. The new genus Caeruleoconidia is introduced, and four species, Caeruleoconidia ochrolechiae, Diplolaeviopsis japonica, Perigrapha lobariae and Skyttea ochrolechiae, are described as new to science. The new combination Lichenosticta lecanorae is introduced and a neotype designated for this taxon. Buelliella cf. inops, Cercidospora stenotropae, Cladophialophora parmeliae, Endococcus cf. brachysporus, Lichenosticta lecanorae, Micarea inquinans, Minutoexcipula cf. mariana, Protounguicularia nephromatis, Polycoccum hymeniicola, Stigmidium alectoriae and Tephromela campestricola are new to Asia, another 18 species are second reports for Asia. Sixty-one species are new to Japan and eight species new to South Korea. Nephroma i...

Brown parmelioid lichens comprise a number of distinct genera in one of the most species-rich families of lichen-forming fungi, Parmeliaceae (Ascomycota). In spite of their superficial similarity, a number of studies of brown parmelioids have provided important insight into diversification in lichen-forming fungi with cosmopolitan distributions. In this study we assess species diversity, biogeography and diversification of the genus Montanelia, which includes alpine to temperate saxicolous species. We sampled each of the five known species, four of which are known from broad, intercontinental distributions. In order to identify potential biogeographical patterns, each broadly distributed species was represented by individuals collected across their intercontinental distributions. Molecular sequence data were generated for six loci, including three nuclear protein-coding markers (MCM7, RPB1, and RPB2), two nuclear ribosomal markers (ITS and nrLSU), and a fragment of the mitochondrial small subunit. We used three sequence-based species delimitations methods to validate traditional, phenotype-based species and circumscribe previously unrecognized species-level lineages in Montanelia. Relationships among putative lineages and divergence times were estimated within a coalescent-based multi-locus species tree framework. Based on the results of the species delimitation analyses, we propose that the genus Montanelia is likely comprised of six to nine species-level lineages, including previously unrecognized species-level diversity in the nominal taxa M. panniformis and M. tominii. In contrast, molecular sequence data suggest that M. predisjuncta may be conspecific with the widespread taxon M. disjuncta in spite of distinct morphological differences. The rate-based age estimation of the most recent common ancestor of Montanelia (ca. 231 Ma) was similar to previous estimates based on the fossil record. Furthermore, our data suggest that diversification in Montanelia occurred largely during the Neogene. At least three Montanelia species are broadly distributed throughout Asia, Europe, and North America with no evidence of phylogeographic substructure. In contrast to broadly distributed Montanelia species, our study suggests Pleistocene-dominated diversification and complex biogeographic history in the M. tominii group. Our analyses provide additional insight for understanding diversification and uncovering cryptic diversity in cosmopolitan species of lichen-forming fungi. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000365393000021, PubMed ID: 26299211, We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the largest families of lichen-forming fungi with complex and variable morphologies, also including several lichenicolous fungi. We assembled a six-locus data set including nuclear, mitochondrial and low-copy protein-coding genes from 293 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The lichenicolous lifestyle originated independently three times in lichenized ancestors within Parmeliaceae, and a new generic name is introduced for one of these fungi. In all cases, the independent origins occurred c. 24 million yr ago. Further, we show that the Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene were key periods when diversification of major lineages within Parmeliaceae occurred, with subsequent radiations occurring primarily during the Oligocene and Miocene. Our phylogenetic hypothesis supports the independent origin of lichenicolous fungi associated with climatic shifts at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Moreover, diversification bursts at different times may be crucial factors driving the diversification of Parmeliaceae. Additionally, our study provides novel insight into evolutionary relationships in this large and diverse family of lichen-forming ascomycetes., Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion [CGL2010-21646/BOS, CGL2011-25003, CGL2013-42498-P]; Universidad Complutense-Banco Santander [GR3/14]; Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid [REMEDINAL S-2009/AMB-1783]; National Science Foundation [DEB-0949147]; Swedish Research Council [VR621-2009-5372, VR 621-2012-3990]; Academy of Finland [1133858]; Estonian Science Foundation [9109]; European Regional Development Fund (Center of Excellence FIBIR); German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD); Tromso University Museum, We are indebted to Adriano A. Spielmann, Joel Mercado, Robert Egan, Udeni Jayalal and Daniel Sanchez Mata for providing a few samples, and to Rosario G. Gavilan for assisting in collecting expeditions. We also thank editors and anonymous reviewers for valuable comments and suggestions. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (projects CGL2010-21646/BOS, CGL2011-25003 and CGL2013-42498-P), the Universidad Complutense-Banco Santander (GR3/14), Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid (REMEDINAL S-2009/AMB-1783), the National Science Foundation ('Hidden diversity in parmelioid lichens'; DEB-0949147), the Swedish Research Council (VR621-2009-5372 and VR 621-2012-3990), the Academy of Finland (grant 1133858), the Estonian Science Foundation (grant 9109), and the European Regional Development Fund (Center of Excellence FIBIR). G.S. was supported by a fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). I.K.K.T. was supported by a grant from Tromso University Museum.

The genus Inoderma (Ach.) Gray is lectotypified with Inoderma byssaceum and resurrected for a small group of species in Arthoniaceae with elevated, white pruinose pycnidia, immersed to adnate white pruinose apothecia and a weakly gelatinized hymenium. Inoderma nipponicum is described from Japan, I. afromontanum from Uganda and the European Lecanactis subabietina is transferred to the genus. Sporodophoron is described for a small group of species in Arthoniaceae related to Inoderma but with a unique type of sporodochia instead of pycnidia. Sterile specimens of this new genus resemble species of Tylophoron but differ in the rounded angular to elliptical to short cylindrical, 0–2-septate sporodochial conidia with unevenly thickened walls which are formed apically in zigzag-shaped and occasionally branched chains. Sporodophoron further differs in thallus chemistry and is genetically distinct. Tylophoron americanum and Schismatomma cretaceum are transferred to Sporodophoron, and the new species S. gossypinum from Japan and S. primorskiense from eastern Russia are described. The genus Glomerulophoron is described for a single species from Mauritius, G. mauritiae, differing from Sporodophoron in the tightly coiled chains of sporodochial conidia and being genetically distinct. A phylogenetic tree showing the position of Inoderma, Sporodophoron and Glomerulophoron in Arthoniaceae is presented. A key to all species of Arthoniaceae with sporodochia or elevated white pruinose pycnidia is presented. Arthothelium spectabile, the type of the large heterogeneous genus Arthothelium, is confirmed for the cryptothecioid subclade in Arthoniaceae.

(137)Cs concentrations in ten species of foliose lichens collected within Tsukuba-city in August 2013 ranged from 1.7 to 35 kBq/kg. The relationships between (137)Cs in two dominant species, Dirinaria applanata and Physcia orientalis, and the air dose rate (μSv/h) at the sampling sites were investigated. (137)Cs in P. orientalis measured about 1 year after the Fukushima nuclear accident was correlated (r(2) = 0.80) more closely with the air dose rate than those measured after about 2 years (r(2) = 0.65), possibly demonstrating its continued value as a biomonitor to reflect ambient fall-out levels. In contrast, those of Dirinaria applanata were not correlated with the air dose rate in either year.

Carbonea vitellinaria is reported new to Japan growing on Candelariella vitellina. A key to lichenicolous fungi known on the species of Candelariella is provided.

The activity concentration of 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs radionuclides in lichens was traced one and a half months after the Fukushima nuclear accident. The samples were collected in Tsukuba City, which is located c. 170 km south of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP). The activity concentrations differed depending on species and habitat. For example, the maximum activity concentration of 137Cs was 22596 Bq kg–1 dry weight in Physcia orientalis (collected from the trunk of Zelkova serrata on 30 June 2011), and 1928 Bq kg–1 in Hyperphyscia crocata (from the trunk of Quercus myrsinaefolia collected on 8 March 2012). The activity concentration of 137Cs in Dirinaria applanata and Phaeophyscia spinellosa growing on vertical habitats decreased by c. 50% within a year, indicating radionuclides might have been washed off by rain. The radionuclides were apparently derived from the Fukushima NPP accident because: 1) one specimen collected at the same place one year before the accident did not contain radionuclides, 2) high activity concentrations of radionuclides were detected after the accident, 3) 131I, which has a short half-life of 8 days, was detected one and a half months after the accident, and 4) the ratio of 134Cs/137Cs in lichens was 0·90–0·98 on 26 April 2011, which is consistent with the values reported for radiocesium from the Fukushima NPP accident.