The new species Megaspora rimisorediata Valadbeigi & A. Nordin is described from Iran, where it mainly grows on tree bark but also on calciferous rocks and mosses. It is characterized by a pale ochraceous to bluish grey, cracked and sorediate thallus, very rarely producing ascomata. It appears to be rather commonly distributed in Iran. Its close affinity with Megaspora verrucosa is illustrated in a graph resulting from a phylogenetic network analysis of nuclear rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences from specimens representing the different genera of Megasporaceae.

A standardized morphological terminology and descriptive scheme for the sterile asexually reproducing genus Lepraria s. lat. is presented. The contribution includes observations on development and ontogeny of morphological structures and is extensively illustrated with scanning electron and light micrographs. Lepraria has long been considered to be devoid of morphological characters, however the results of extensive micro- and macro-morphological studies strongly refute this hypothesis. The morphological structures of the thallus are defined and described based on their varying degrees of complexity. Thalline morphological variability in the group is categorized into two major types that are further subdivided into six subtypes. Each subtype is described and an artifical key to the subtypes is provided.

For a long time it has been discussed as to whether Melanelixia fuliginosa comprises one or two species: one darker, mainly saxicolous, and one lighter, mainly corticolous. To settle the question, a morphometric and a molecular analysis were carried out and analyzed using a principal component analysis (PCA). The morphometric analysis indicates a differentiation in several characters between material previously recognized as subspecies fuliginosa and glabratula, but also a considerable overlap in some of them. The molecular analysis of the nrITS DNA gene reveals a clear division of the taxa. Specimens belonging to Melanelia fuliginosa fall out in two different clades, which have good bootstrap support, corresponding to the subspecies fuliginosa and glabratula. Accordingly, we propose that the subspecies should be acknowledged as separate species, Melanelixia fuliginosa (Fr. ex Duby) O. Blanco et al. and Melanelixia glabratula (Lamy) Sandler & Arup.

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.

A new lichenized fungus, Lecanora microloba Śliwa & Flakus, is described from the subnival belt of the Polish Tatra Mountains. It is characterized by small, saxicolous thalli with minutely lobulate marginal areoles and mostly broadly sessile and constantly pale coloured apothecia that are grouped predominantly in the centre of the thallus. Anatomically the species is distinguished by coarse granules in the epithecium which are distinctly bright in polarized light. The species contains gyrophoric and usnic acids, zeorin and an unknown terpene as secondary metabolites.

Lecanora sorediomarginata Rodrigues, Terrón & Elix sp. nov., described as new to science from Portugal, is characterized morphologically by a crustose whitish-grey to greenish thallus developing soralia from small, marginal warts and chemically by the presence of 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylnorstenosporic acid [major], 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylanziaic acid [minor], 3,5-dichloro-2′-O-methylnordivaricatic acid [minor], 5-chloro-2′-O-methylanziaic acid [trace], atranorin [minor], chloroatranorin [minor], and usnic acid [trace]. It is chemically similar to L. lividocinerea, to which it shows phylogenetic affinities based on ITS rDNA sequence analysis, and to L. sulphurella. Lecanora sorediomarginata is epiphytic on Pinus pinaster and P. pinea, in pine forests on sand dunes along the Portuguese coast.

The diminutive species Micarea capitata is described from north-western Sweden. It has been found at two localities in boreal forests where it grew on the bryophyte Hylocomium splendens. Micarea capitata is distinguished by small (0·10–0·35 mm diam.) black apothecia, (0–)1-septate ascospores and a mottled, darkly pigmented hypothecium.

This article traces the changing systems in the classification of the parmelioid lichens from the early 19th century to the present day. Molecular phylogenetic approaches have enabled the relative importance of traditionally used characters to be objectively re-assessed, and led to the realization of the significance of others that had previously been passed over or dismissed; for example, differences in ascospore and conidium types or the cell-wall constituents. Information on the different characters employed is presented and assessed. It is concluded that characters related to thallus form or chemical products prove to be less informative at the generic level than has sometimes been assumed. Features requiring further study are identified, and in the light of experience in this group, lichenologists should be cautious in translating their results into formal taxonomies.

Two new species of the lichen genus Carbacanthographis, namely C. albolirellata and C. indica, are reported from India. The two species are distinguished by their exciple character, ascospore septation and chemistry. Carbacanthographis albolirellata has a completely carbonized exciple, submuriform ascospores and no lichen substances. Carbacanthographis indica is characterized by a laterally carbonized exciple, trans-septate ascospores and by the presence of salazinic acid.

The new genus Silobia M. Westb. & Wedin is proposed for the Acarospora smaragdula group, which is taxonomically and nomenclaturally revised in Sweden. The proposed taxonomy results from our former molecular phylogeny, together with morphological and anatomical investigations and analysis of secondary metabolites. Seven species are recognized in Sweden in this paper: Silobia dilatata sp. nov., S. myochroa sp. nov., S. rhagadiza comb. nov., S. rufescens comb. nov., S. scabrida comb. nov., S. smaragdula comb. nov. and S. tangerina sp. nov. Acarospora alberti, A. amphibola, A. isortoquensis, A. murina and A. undata are recognized as synonyms of S. smaragdula, Acarospora verruciformis as a synonym of S. scabrida and A. scyphulifera as a synonym of S. rhagadiza. The following names are lectotypified: Acarospora amphibola, A. amphibola f. testacea, A. lesdainii, A. lesdainii var. subochracea, A. murina, A. scyphulifera f. subdiscreta, Endocarpon smaragdulum, Lecanora rhagadiza and Sagedia rufescens. Acarospora scyphulifera is neotypified. Acarospora fusca is excluded from the Swedish checklist as the specimen was found to belong to S. rufescens. A key to the species is presented.

Amandinea myrticola is described as new from Portugal. This corticolous species is characterized by the thin, smooth to minutely rugose and greyish thallus lacking secondary metabolites, the small lecideine apothecia which exhibit a pseudothalline margin when young and the small, smooth, Physconia-type ascospores with strongly pronounced and persistent median wall thickenings. It occurs on smooth bark in two localities characterized by a Mediterranean climate with an Atlantic influence.

The species of Lecanora sensu stricto occurring in Thailand are revised. Twenty-eight species are accepted with one new species, L. kansriae described for a taxon with small crystals in the amphithecium and containing the stictic acid chemosyndrome. Eight species are recorded from Thailand for the first time: L. coronulans, L. farinacea, L. interjecta, L. leproplaca, L. melaleuca, L. plumosa, L. pseudargentata, and L. toroyensis. Previous records of L. casuarinophila, L. insignis, L. pulicaris, and L. subgranulata are shown to be based on misidentifications. The new combination Vainionora flavidorufa is proposed for Lecanora flavidorufa Hue (syn. L. lividocarnea Vain. and L. lividoglauca Vain.). A key for the identification of the treated species is provided.

The lichen Arthonia orchidicida is described as new to science from the leaves of orchids in a nursery. It is a pest organism, as it is affecting the habitus of the plants and diminishing the vitality of small plants. No prophylax is known and the lichen has to be regularly removed by rubbing it off manually. It is the first lichen reported to cause economic damage. It occurs in the Netherlands, but its country of origin is unknown.

The phylogenetic placement of the genus Maronina was studied, based chiefly on phenotypic characters such as thallus colour and anatomy, secondary chemistry, the anatomy of the excipulum and the ascus-type. DNA sequence data of mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal loci from some of the species support the hypothesis that Maronina is nested within Protoparmelia. Hence, Maronina is reduced to synonymy with Protoparmelia. Comparison of genetic distances suggests that the two varieties within M. orientalis should be regarded as distinct species. Consequently, the new combinations Protoparmelia australiensis (Hafellner & R. W. Rogers) Kantvilas et al., P. corallifera (Kantvilas & Papong) Kantvilas et al., P. hesperia (Kantvilas & Elix) Kantvilas et al., P. multifera (Nyl.) Kantvilas et al., and P. orientalis (Kantvilas & Papong) Kantvilas et al. are proposed.

Using ITS nrDNA sequence data, the Caloplaca cerina group (Teloschistaceae) is defined here as a monophyletic, but internally richly branched lineage. The group is also characterized by a combination of morphological and anatomical characters. Its internal lineages are supported by phenotypic characters in addition to ecology and distribution. Within the large C. cerina group, we have found at least 20 phylospecies in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Two species complexes do not produce any vegetative diaspores: the polyphyletic, corticolous Caloplaca cerina s. lat. (six separated cryptic or semi-cryptic species) and the monophyletic C. stillicidiorum s. lat. that grows mainly on plant debris, small shrubs and bryophytes and consists of at least four internal lineages. All lineages producing vegetative diaspores (soredia, blastidia, isidia or lobules) are phenotypically characteristic and represent fairly easily distinguishable species: C. chlorina, C. isidiigera, C. monacensis, C. subalpina, C. thracopontica, C. turkuensis and C. ulmorum. Only the North American sorediate C. pinicola possibly represents an aggregate of species. Caloplaca sterilis is described as a new species. A key to the phenotypically distinguishable species is provided.

Lectotypes are designated for C. albolutea, Caloplaca cerina f. coronulata and for C. monacensis. The Australian C. hanneshertelii belongs to this group, but this and other possible species from the Southern Hemisphere are not treated here in detail. Some species traditionally placed in the C. cerina group due to their similar morphology are excluded here on the basis of our phenotype examinations and molecular data. Caloplaca albolutea, C. mydalaea and C. virescens are uncertain taxa and their identities still remain unclear.

Tremella macrobasidiata is a proposed new species for a lichenicolous heterobasidomycete strictly parasitizing the hymenium of Lecanora chlarotera. It is reported from Spain, and is characterized by large and particularly variable basidia, rather large basidiospores and the production of asteroconidia, forming brownish to dark green galls in the specific host apothecia. The presence of asteroconidia is discussed. Comparisons with closely related lichenicolous Tremella species are also provided.

Aspicilia fluviatilis and A. granulosa, two arctic and/or (sub)alpine species with elongate ± diverging and ± branching marginal areoles, are described as new and compared with similar species occurring in Fennoscandia. A parsimony analysis based on ITS indicates a close relationship with the mainly coastal A. epiglypta. Aspicilia epiglypta, A. disserpens and A. sublapponica are lectotypified and A. disserpens is reduced to synonymy with A. perradiata. Aspicilia alboradiata and A. circularis are excluded from the Fennoscandian lichen biota. A key to Fennoscandian Aspicilia species with radiating thalli and/or elongate ± diverging and ± branching marginal areoles is also presented.

The species of the genus Immersaria in Iran are reviewed. Immersaria iranica is described as a new species in the Lecideaceae, characterized by pycnoconidia opening by stellate, winding cracks and 2′-O-methylsuperphyllinic acid as major secondary metabolite. The characters separating it from other taxa of the Lecideaceae are discussed. Immersaria athroocarpa and I. cupreoatra are new records for Iran. An identification key and a table with diagnostic characters of the species hitherto known from Iran are provided.

Pilophorus fruticosus Li S. Wang & Xin Y. Wang is described from south-west China. It is characterized by the presence of densely dichotomously branched, partly decorticated pseudopodetia, and by having single, spherical apothecia on the apices of the pseudopodetia. The species grows on siliceous rocks in alpine regions of the Yunnan Province. A detailed description and illustrations are provided. The new taxon is compared with other Pilophorus species.