Discover lichens in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat. Park in 2003
Discover lichens in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat. Park in 2003
Lichens, with emphasis on sterile crusts on tree bark, will be studied all over the park, in order to find new species for the park cheklist. In 2002 several species were found that were new to science. To formally name and publish these species they will be further studied in 2003.
Mainly based on the authors field work in 2003, four genera (Acarospora, Botryolepraria, Porina and Psorotichia) and twelve species of lichens (Acarospora fuscata, Biatora appalachensis, Botryolepraria lesdainii, Caloplaca chrysodeta, Gyalecta cf. jenensis, Heterodermia japonica, Heterodermia podocarpa, Hypocenomyce friesii, Menegazzia subsimilis, Porina heterospora, Psorotichia sp., and Trapelia coarctata) were found new to the GSMNP. In addition, on lichenicolous fungus, Clypeococcum hypocenomycis, was found. Biatora appalachensis Printzen & Tønsberg ined. is new to science. Menegazzia subsimilis appears to be new to eastern North America . In 2002 Leioderma was found at Ravenford. No new population was found during field work in 2003. In 2002 it became obviously that the park is very rich in species of Lepraria. Park material of this genus, and as well a large herbarium material on loan from major North American herbaria, is under study. Two species (Biatora pontica Printzen & Tønsberg and Vainionora americana Kalb, Tønsberg & Elix) that were undescribed when I submitted my spring 2003 report, have now been formally described. A detailed list of specimens and localities has been made.
