Table of Contents

Cladonia is a widespread genus of lichenized Ascomycetes whose knowledge is fragmentary in Italy. There, many records are dispersed in floristic studies, while specific research targeted on this lichen group is almost missing. As a first contribution to the knowledge of the Cladonia biota of Tuscany, the annotated list of the species recorded in Monte Ceceri (Fiesole, province of Florence) is reported. Eleven species are listed; among them, C. ciliata likely became extinct since the only historical record, while C. peziziformis and C. rei are reported for the first time from Tuscany. Similarly to other areas recently studied in northern Italy, also in Monte Ceceri the occurrence of Cladonia-rich terricolous lichen communities is related to the persistence of fragments of open dry habitats, which are threatened by vegetation encroachment. This case study is a first step towards a better knowledge of terricolous lichen communities of lowlands of central Italy, which provides information useful for the conservation of these overlooked organisms.

In this paper diversity and new records of species from the genus Eunotia in freshwater habitats from Vranica mountain are presented. During our research for this study 22 species were identified. Comparing our results with publications by various authors who have explored algae in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is not any data about the presence and distribution of four species. Newly recorded species for the flora of algae of Bosnia and Herzegovina were listed as follows: Eunotia curtagrunowii, Eunotia implicata, Eunotia mucophila and Eunotia subherkiniensis. Data about identified species as well as their distribution and ecological characteristics are presented in this paper. Physical and chemical characteristics of freshwater habitats, where rare and endangered species occurred, are described. Mountain springs, streams and peatlands represent suitable habitats for species from the genus Eunotia. Since they provide optimal conditions for rare and endangered species in the future they should be included in continuous monitoring

This is the first contribution to the cryptogamic flora (algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens) of the “Bosco Pomieri”, an old-growth forest included in the Madonie Regional Park (N-Sicily). This area presents a significantly high biodiversity (41 algae, 41 bryophytes, 141 fungi, and 105 lichens) and also hosts several taxa of high biogeographic value.

During a one week excursion to Molise in 2016, 18 lichenologically interesting sites were visited. The results of these field studies with special emphasis on lichenicolous fungi are presented, completed with data from the literature. The resulting list comprises four species known only from literature and 45 based on original data. Among these, three species (Epicladonia stenospora, Spirographa triangularis and Xenonectriella physciacearum) are new to Italy and 39 species are new to Molise. In addition, the finds of five lichens new to Molise are mentioned

The role of Trees Outside Forest (TOF) in preserving biodiversity is highlighted through the study of their associated epiphytic lichen flora. Thirty TOF units located throughout the Italian region Molise have been surveyed. 170 trees of 17 different species have been examined. A total of 111 lichen taxa has been recorded. Among these, six taxa are new to the lichen flora of Molise (Agonimia opuntiella, Arthonia excipienda, Arthopyrenia analepta, Lecanora albella, Mycomicrothelia confusa and Scytinium subtile). One species is considered vulnerable, eight near threatened in Italy and 23 taxa are non-poleotolerant species usually growing on old trees in ancient, undisturbed forests. These findings suggest that TOF can provide surrogate habitat conditions for lichens usually occurring in natural environments.

Within the province of Bergamo, the less known one in Lombardy (N Italy) under a lichenological point of view, the Valle Imagna was completely devoid of previous lichen surveys. In this work, we report 111 records of 40 lichen taxa, mostly epiphytic, from five sites located on the Bergamasque side of Mount Resegone (Orobic Prealps). Most of them are common species, whereas 11 are new to the province of Bergamo, and three of them (Buellia griseovirens, Phaeophyscia ciliata, Punctelia jeckeri) have been rarely recorded in the region. These finds highlight that, in spite of being recognized as one of the most lichen species-rich regions in Italy, Lombardy is still in need of further explorations.

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the diversity of all known lichenized and lichenicolous fungi of the Turkish provinces, their similarities being calculated and to determine their distribution in the geographic and phytogeographic regions of Turkey. The records of lichenized fungi in "A Checklist of the Lichens of Turkey" were evaluated, together with new country and province records from 2015 to 2020. A total of 1765 lichenized fungi were evaluated from the 81 provinces. The geographical regions of Turkey were divided into three main groups according to the similarity in species diversity (1) Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara, (2) Central, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, and (3) the Black Sea region. The phytogeographical regions of Turkey were divided into two main groups (1) Euro-Siberian and Mediterranean and (2) Irano-Turanian. The very heterogeneous intensity so far of the research on lichens in the different provinces of Turkey causes only a weak correlation of the distribution of lichens with the geographic and phytogeographic regions.

Nineteen taxa, belonging to 15 genera, included in 12 families of Basidiomycetes were observed on different living trees and stumps. Data on hosts and collection sites are reported together with notes on the causes of wood decay fungi attack and suggestions for solutions.