Access to large-scale facility in Helsinki
- "Advanced instruction
in bryology and lichenology open to postgraduate students"
The Division of Systematic Biology of the Department
of Ecology and Systematics, University of Helsinki, was selected
in 1994 as a 'Large-scale Facility" by the EU (see the "Bryological
Times" no. 79). Aim of the program is to facilitate the mobility
of scientists and students between EU countries. Its excellent
bryophyte and lichen collections, the Botany Library, the equipment
for biomonitoring air pollution effects on lichens and bryophytes
were the basis for the decision. Approximately 20 scientists have
visited Helsinki through the program so far. The technical audit
to evaluate the progress of the program was held on November 22nd,
1996 in Brussels. One of the weak points was the limited participation
of postgraduate students. Postgraduate students from EU countries,
Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are now being encouraged to participate.
This is an excellent opportunity, especially for doing monographic
work in any group of lichens or bryophytes, to become acquainted
with our collections and libraries, or to use our equipment in
pollution studies.
Special courses related to lichen taxonomy
(Prof. T. Ahti) and bryophyte taxonomy (Prof. T. Koponen, Dr.
S. Plippo and Dr. J. Enroth) are currently in progress, and can
be joined in at any time. A course on biomonitoring of heavy metal
contamination will be held in the autumn of 1997 (Dr. A. Mákinen),
a course on the "Taxonomy and ecology of peatland and aquatic
bryophytes" in August 1997, and a course on 'Ecology of epigeic
lichens' in May 1997. These courses will be advertised in more
detail through Internet. Short visits (1-2 months) can be organized
to participate in our current research projects (e.g. "Biodiversity
of the bryoflora of tropical SE Asia" and projects on lichen
floras of Tierra del Fuego, Newfoundland, Mongolia or other areas).
To participate, send an application including
The applications are evaluated by a committee (T. Koponen, T. Ahti, A. Mákinen, and two foreign experts), and the procedure is quick. Reasonable travel expenses, lodging, and living expenses in Helsinki, as well as those involved in the use the electron microscope, DNA sequencing, chromatography or atomic absorption spectrophotometry are subsidized by the program. (NB. These funds are not available for Finnish citizens).
Timo Koponen, P.O. Box 7, FIN-00014 University
of Helsinki, Finland.
Symposium on lichen systematics at the annual
meeting of the American Bryological and Lichenological Society
(ABLS)
ABLS is meeting in conjunction with the Bryological
and Lichenological Section of the Botanical Society of America
(BSA) at the AIBS (American Institute of Biological Sciences)
meeting in Montreal, Québec, Canada, 3-7 August 1997. Other
societies such as the Mycological Society of America (MSA) and
the American Society of Plant Taxonomists (ASPT) will be present
as well. The title of this symposium is "Bridging the
Gap between Phylogeny and the Classification of Lichen-Forming
Ascomycetes". Registration and housing forms for the
meeting will be available later from AIBS (watch Bioscience magazine
and their web site at http://www2.aibs.org/aibs/ and the
ABLS web site at http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/bryolab/ABLS.html)
A four-day excursion is also organized.
Symposium: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PHYLOGENY
AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF LICHEN-FORMING ASCOMYCETES. - The
lack of a stable classification for ascomycetes has been plaguing
the fields of mycology and lichenology for many years now. Establishing
a stable classification for ascomycetes will not be attained without
interaction between mycologists working on non-lichenized ascomycetes
and lichenologists. Therefore, it is crucial that we combine our
efforts as often as possible to improve this unfortunate situation.
To reach the main goal of this symposium, I have invited lichenologists
with a broad and thorough knowledge of lichenized fungi and/or
who have proposed new classifications based on phylogenetic studies,
and mycologists who have a broad knowledge of ascomycetes in general.
The theoretical aspect of using phylogenies to construct classifications
will be addressed. This is very important, since many phylogenetic
trees are being generated at different taxonomic levels, but the
mycological community is still hesitant to "translate"
this information into classifications, perhaps because many problems
are associated with such a practice. The time seems appropriate
to outline these problems and explore potential solutions. Another
important objective is to explore the rationale and consequences
of current trends in lichen classification at the genus level.
This is a very sensitive issue within the lichenological community
and this portion of the symposium, which will be addressed by
P. L. Nimis, has triggered an intense debate, as early as March
1997, through an electronic discussion group devoted to lichenology.
The ultimate goal is to provide a synthesis of the relationships
among lichen-forming ascomycetes at different taxonomic levels
based on morphological and/or molecular data, and explore the
implications of using what we know about these relationships to
build a better classification for lichenized ascomycetes and consequently
all ascomycetes. This symposium was funded by the American Bryological
and Lichenological Society and the Field Museum of Natural History.
Convener: Francois Lutzoni
PROGRAM: De Priest, P.T., S. Stenroos, N. Ivanova,
and A. Gargas: Polyphyletic origins of the lichen association
in the fungi: phylogenetic analyses of nuclear small subunit ribosomal
DNA sequences. - Eriksson, O. E.: Orders and higher taxa
of Ascomycota. Gargas, A: Origins of lichen associations:
parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of two data sets.
- Grube, M. & M. Matzer: Classification and phylogeny of
the Arthoniales. - Hibbett, D.S.& M. J. Donoghue: Integrating
phylogenetic hypotheses and classifications in fungi. - Lutzoni,
F., J. Crodian & V. Reeb: Phylogenetic relationships of
ascomycetes as revealed by the small and large subunit nuclear
ribosomal DNA with emphasis on lichen-forming ascomycetes and
their origin. - Nimis, P. L.: The inflation of genera in
modern Lichenology. - Rambold, G., T. Friedl & A. Beck:
Photobionts in lichens: possible indicators of phylogenetic
relationships in Lecanorales? - Taylor, J. W.: Sexual and
asexual Ascomycota: evolution and classification. - Tibell,
L.: The classification of calicioid lichens and fungi:
morphological evidence, anamorph data and sequences of the
ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the 18S rDNA.
EXCURSION: Lichens of the Laurentian Highlands and St. Lawrence Valley: Four-day trip. Trip departs Thursday August 7th at 8:00 a.m. and returns Sunday August 10 approximately at 5 p.m. Limited to 35 participants; cost to be determined. Dissected by deep river valleys, the Laurentian Highlands rise abruptly from the St. Lawrence River north of Quebec city to elevations near 1000 m. In the moist boreal bioclimate of this region, mossy balsam fir forests prevail at middle elevations, and black spruce forests (including patchy open lichen woodland) on rocky hilltops and peaty sites. En route from Montreal, contrasting Acer-Carya and Acer-Betula forests will be examined. Accommodation will be at well-equipped field stations, with facilities for examination of each day's collections. For more information contact: Francois Lutzoni, Dept. of Botany, The Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605. Tel: (+1) 312-9229410 ext. 721; Fax: 312-3609858; e-mail: lutzoni@fmppr.fmnh.org. Co-organizers are: Stephen Clayden (clayden@mis.ca) and Ernie Brodo (ibrodo@mus-nature.ca).
Francois Lutzoni, Montreal
XII Symposium of Cryptogamic Botany
The traditional Symposium of Cryptogamic Botany, gathering together all cryptogamists of the Iberian Peninsula, could also be a new and challenging experience for many foreign students. The level of Spanish Cryptogamy (s.lat.) is so outstanding, that, from my own experience, much can be learned by taking part in such an event. This year the Symposium will be held in Valencia 17-20 September. As usual, the Symposium will be organized in five sections: Algae, Bryophytes, Ferns, Fungi and Lichens. The aim is to give an overview of the state of research, especially in the Mediterranean region, including Macaronesia. The program will encompass a wide array of themes such as: a) Flora, Systematics and Evolution, b) Life strategies and adaptations, c) Communities, Biogeography and Ecology, d) Ecophysiology, e) Biodiversity, Conservation and Global Change. Spanish and English will be the official languages. For further information please contact: Dpto. Biologia Vegetal (Botànica) F.CC. Biològicas. Universitat de Valencia, E 46100 Burjassot (Valencia, Spain) Tel. (+34) 6-3864376, fax: 6-3864372, e-mail: cripto97@uv.es.
The Editor
Symposium: Taxonomy, Evolution and Classification
of Lichens and related Fungi.
In connection with the annual general meeting
of the British Lichen Society in 1998, BLS, The Systematics Association
and The Linnean Society of London will arrange a Symposium devoted
to the taxonomy, evolution and classification of lichens and related
fungi. The Organising Committee has invited a number of speakers
to the sessions, and the preliminary titles reflect the enormous
current progress in lichen systematics at all taxonomic levels.
The invited speakers represent a selection of well-established
lichen taxonomists, as well as post-graduate and post-doctoral
students at the forefront of lichen systematics. The aim is to
present an integrated picture of the status of modern systematics,
as well as providing an opportunity to assess the future challenge.
The event will be held in central London during 9-11 January 1998,
and the Symposium will have three half-day sessions each focused
on lichen systematics at various levels. All friends and colleagues
are herewith cordially invited to participate in the Symposium!
We need to know as soon as possible how large the interest may
be, and would appreciate to hear from people interested in participating
before September 30th. Please, contact (preferably e-mail!): Mats
Wedin, Botany Department, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell
Road, London SW7 5BD U.K.- Phone (+44) 171- 9388852, fax (+44)
171-9389260, e-mail: m.wedin@nhm.ac.uk, to be included
in our mailing list, and detailed and more definitive information
will follow shortly! Do not forget to include your full postal
address if you reply by e-mail! A registration fee of £30
will be charged. A wide range of accommodation types are available
to suit all pockets. Participants will have to arrange accommodation
themselves; we will, however, include a short list of hotels in
different price categories in the information package that will
be sent out to all responding to this circular. Organising Committee:
Mats Wedin, O.W. Purvis (The Natural History Museum).
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM - FRIDAY: Registration, The Dougal Swinscow Memorial Lecture: R. Honegger (Zürich): The lichen symbiosis - what is so spectacular about it?, Evening Reception. SATURDAY: BLS Annual General Meeting. SYMPOSIUM: TAXONOMY, EVOLUTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF LICHENS AND RELATED FUNGI. I. The taxonomy of species and infra-specific taxa - Ph. Clerc (Geneva): Species-delimitation and species concepts in Usnea. - K. Lohtander (Stockholm): Lichen species pairs. - P.M. Jørgensen (Bergen): How to classify and name the blue-green counterparts. - P. Bridge & D. Hawksworth (Egham): What molecular biology has to tell us at the species level in lichenised fungi. SUNDAY II. The concept of concepts - the circumscription of taxa, particularly at the generic level - A. Crespo, O.F. Cubero & R. Noya (Madrid): A molecular approach to the circumscription and evaluation of the genera segregated from Parmelia s. lat. - M. Grube & U. Arup (Graz): Molecular systematics of Lecanora subg. Placodium. - R. Sundin (Stockholm): The Arthonia story, or How to find monophyletic groups in large genera. - P. L. Nimis (Trieste): A critical appraisal of modern generic concepts in Lichenology. - L. Tibell (Uppsala): Principles and prejudice in lichen classification. III. The integration of lichens into the system of the Fungi. The taxonomy at and above family level - S. Stenroos (Helsinki): Evolution and taxonomy of the stipitate lichens. - K. Winka (Umeå): Are there lichenised Leotiales? - Th. Lumbsch (Essen): Systematic studies in Lecanorales suborder Agyriineae. - G. Rambold (Munich): The distribution of selected diagnostic characters in Lecanorales. A. Gargas (Copenhagen): Phylogeny of lichen-forming fungi within the Eumycota. - Symposium Dinner.
Mats Wedin, London
Personalia
Ted Ahti (Helsinki)
is going to retire in July 1997, but will still be able to continue
research at his present address at the University of Helsinki.
Besides studies on the Cladoniaceae he has recently participated
in the completion of lichen checklists of Finland (by O. Vitikainen
et al.) and Russian Karelia (by M. Fadeeva et al.),
which are expected to appear in 1997. Last year he conducted field
work in Guyana, Mexico (twice), and Russia (Karelia, Murmansk
Region), and is going to visit Brazil, Mexico and Iceland this
year.
Bernard de Vries
(Regina, Canada) undertook the identification of lichens collected
by fieldstaff from the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre,
Regina, during the 1996 Prairie Biodiversity Survey (PBS). Collections
were made from selected geographic areas in the mixed grassland
ecoregion of the prairie ecozone in south-central Saskatchewan.
Contiguous landscapes with strong differences in local landform,
soil parent material, and soil texture were selected for sampling
in the extensive native grassland areas of the Coteau Hills north
east of Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, and in the Chaplin
Lake area south east off the South Sasketchewan River. Forty five
sites and 144 relevés were sampled, and a total of 385
lichens collected, representing 19 genera with 36 species, 1 subspecies,
2 varieties and 2 forms. Predominant species found in all landscape
units were: Candelariella vitellina (mainly on Selaginella
densa), Cetraria aculeata, Cladonia pyxidata,
Diploschistes canadensis, and Physconia muscigena.
The main species on plateaux and hilltops was the "vagrant”
lichen Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa.
Paul Diederich (Luxembourg)
recently finished his world monograph on lichenicolous heterobasidiomycetes
(Bibl. Lichenol. 61), and, together with A. Aptroot, E. Sérusiaux
and H. Sipman, published the most important results of the 'Benelux
lichenological expedition to Papua New Guinea 1992' (Bibl. Lichenol.
64). He is continuing his research on lichenicolous heterobasidiomycetes,
and plans to prepare a first supplement in 1998; additional specimens
on loan are most welcome. Together with F. Molitor he finished
a study of the pyrenolichens and their lichenicolous fungi from
Luxembourg, to be published in Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 98. With
E. Sérusiaux and P. van den Boom, he is now preparing a
first annotated checklist of the lichens, lichenicolous fungi
and related species from Belgium and Luxembourg, to be published
in 1998.
Stefan Ekman
(previously Lund, Sweden), defended his doctoral thesis "The
corticolous and lignicolous species of Bacidia and Bacidina
in North America" (Opera Bot. 127) in September 1996 with
P. M. Jørgensen as opponent. From January 1997, he holds
a 3-year research and teaching position at the Dept. of Botany,
Univ. of Bergen, Norway. His research will include a study of
the phylogeny and taxonomy of the Lecanoraceae s. lat. using nuclear
rDNA sequences. Particular attention will be paid to Bacidia,
Bacidina, Toninia, and related genera. This project
starts with a pilot study performed in cooperation with M. Wedin
in London during April. Additional research in the near future
involves, i.a., a revision of the remaining North American Bacidia
and Bacidina, i.e., taxa on substrates not treated in the
thesis.
Margalit Galun (Tel-Aviv) received the Meitner-Humboldt award in recognition for past accomplishments in research and teaching.