The American Bryological and Lichenological Society meets each year, often as part of the larger American Institute of Biological Sciences conference. There are the standard sessions of "contributed papers", symposia, posters, and always a "foray" (collecting expedition) to some nearby region. The year 1997 was no exception. Although there was only a short (but interesting) session of contributed papers in lichenology (see below), there was a particularly good symposium devoted to lichens. The symposium, held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 4-7, 1997, was entitled, "Bridging the gap between phylogeny and the classification of lichen-forming Ascomycetes," and was organized by François Lutzoni, who recently took up a position at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. François invited speakers from Europe to participate in the North American meeting, giving the symposium a distinctly international feeling (unusual for an ABLS meeting). Authors from nine different countries were involved. The symposium was sponsored by ABLS and The Field Museum of Natural History. The focus of the symposium was clearly stated in the title. Many papers on the phylogeny of lichenized fungi have appeared in recent years, some devoted to analyses of morphological characters (and often secondary metabolic products), and others dealing only with the results of molecular studies. Here was a chance to bring these two bodies of data together, or at least to start people thinking about the incorporation of all data sets into comprehensive analyses. The very real problem of using phylogenetic trees (which are regarded by all to be simply testable hypotheses) to create acceptable classification systems (often involving name changes, e.g., when the generic level is involved) is a thorny issue, and it was hoped that the participants and audience would contribute to its solution. Space does not permit me to summarize each paper (even if I were competent to do so), so I will simply list those who participated, mention one or two of the main points made by the speakers, and share the general mood of the gathering and the feelings they generated in me personally. François began the session with a short outline of the task and reason for the gathering. The symposium consisted of three parts. The first part addressed theoretical aspects intrinsic to establishing a phylogenetic classification. Participating in this first part were D. Hibbett (with M. Donoghue), who suggested that a "rankless classification system" rather than the traditional Linnaean hierarchical system is better suited to translating modern phylogenetic analysis into classification schemes, and he encouraged lichen taxonomists to explore that option. The ensuing discussion, however, seemed to indicate some serious misgivings with abandoning the hierarchical system. J. W. Taylor, who supported Hibbet’s view, addressed the difficulties in classifying asexual species of fungi. Based on molecular work, he pointed out that truly clonal species are rare, which should facilitate the future integration of species classified within the artificial phylum Deuteromycota into the Ascomycota. P. L. Nimis made an earnest plea for more caution in the creation of new generic names based on phylogenetic analyses...and even more so, in the absence of phylogenetic analyses, and this also generated a lively discussion. The second part of the symposium provided examples of lichenological studies in which both morphological and molecular data were gathered, and where phylogenetic trees were used to establish new classifications. L. Tibell (with M. Vinuesa) summarized new classification decisions made necessary from the results of rDNA studies of the old "Caliciales". M. Grube (with M. Matzer) dealt with the reclassification of genera within the Arthoniales. G. Rambold (with Th. Friedl and A. Beck) emphasized that lichenologists have been remiss in ignoring the photobionts of lichens in constructing classifications because photobionts may well have evolved in parallel with lichen fungi and have much to tell us about phylogeny. The last third of the symposium was devoted to the higher classification of lichenized and non-lichenized ascomycetes and the origin of lichen-forming ascomycetes. P. DePriest (with S. Stenroos, N. Ivanova and A. Gargas), and A. Gargas in her own presentation, dealt with the origin of lichenization and phylogenetic relationships within the ascomycetes based on small subunit rDNA sequences. F. Lutzoni (with J. Crodian and V. Reeb) addressed the same issues but using both the small subunit nrDNA and a new data set consisting of nucleotide sequences from the large subunit nrDNA. François tested whether these two data sets could be combined and presented a phylogenetic analysis based on the combined data. O. Eriksson, in the final presentation, gave a general account of classification within the Ascomyctes as a whole, setting the lichenized orders into context. Discussions were mainly devoted to classification at the family level or above. In most cases, it was pointed out that the available data were incomplete (too few analyses were represented to provide reliable analyses of the phylogenetic relationships of the higher taxa). In addition, different phylogenetic trees have been generated from analyses of different molecules of the same sets of species, and from analyses of the same molecule using different sets of species. The repeatability of results has yet to be tested in most cases, and many of the phylogenetic "clades" are poorly supported by statistical analyses of alternative configurations using resampling methods such as bootstrap or jacknife. "Much work remains to be done with both genetic and morphometric data collection", was a recurring statement. Nevertheless, there was an exciting feeling of progress, with genetic data more often than not supporting hypotheses proposed based on morphological and chemical characters. The integration of morphological and genetic data sets is beginning, but problems remain, especially in establishing the reliability of phylogenetic trees. Following the symposium, contributed papers on "The Biology of Lichens" were presented in a session chaired by S. Hammer by S. LaGreca, S. Selva, D. Fahselt and J. Lawrey. The papers covered a diversity of topics including classifying species of Ramalina with the help of DNA data, hints for finding Caliciales in the field, the effects of extreme pressure (as in the weight of glacial ice) on the presence of phenolics on medullary hyphae, and the pathogenicity of certain lichen parasites in different geographic areas due, perhaps, to the sequence of infection.

During IAL III in Salzburg some people met, who were in different ways engaged in the studies of the Verrucariales, a group studied by only a few scientists scattered around the world. Stimulating discussions brought up the idea of organizing a Verrucariales-Workshop. Two students from Graz, A. Wilfing and N. Hoffmann accepted the task of hosting the workshop, but Ch. Keller and O. Breuss were also heavily involved in the organization. I must confess that, while discussing the idea of the workshop, I was rather sceptical that it would ever happen. I thought that it surely will come to nothing...everybody is too busy with different things. You can imagine my surprise and joy when at the beginning of February I received an e-mail from A. Wilfling concerning the workshop. When I arrived in Graz, on May 17th, the final programme contained nine contributions, one field trip, a discussion forum, and plenty of time for common practical work. I was astonished by the facilities available, and the large number of participants attending. What I supposed to be a little workshop turned out as a "mini" symposium with almost 30 participants from eleven countries. The programme included many interesting contributions: O. Breuss introduced his new generic concept dividing Catapyrenium s.l. into seven genera, both new and resurrected. A. Orange gave some demonstrations on the genus Thelidium. E. Stocker talked about culture and growth of some species of Verrucariales. C. Keller gave her view on some poorly known characters in the Verrucariaceae. The day ended with a forum discussing characters and their definition at species level because the lack of characters is a common problem for researchers working on Verrucariales. The second day began with an overview of the lichenicolous Verrucariales given by D. Triebel and M. Matzer. M. Grube gave some notes on the genus Leucocarpia and allies. The following demonstration showed that, when staining Leucocarpia with carbofluorwhite and then examining it with epifluorescence, a ring-structure in the ascus tip appears. During the workshop this ring-structure was also found in some other genera of the Verrucariales. The afternoon was spent in the field in the beautiful Alps and we ended the day by wineproofing Austrian wines. The following morning started with H. Harada introducing us to the maritime species of Verrucaria in Japan. Next S. Heidmarsson talked about Dermatocarpon in the Nordic countries. Finally L. Fröberg talked about ecological affinities in calcicolous Verrucariaceae in the Baltic island of Öland, Sweden. In the concluding meeting it was obvious that a 2nd workshop has to follow. Hopefully we will meet in Uppsala in a few years. When thinking back to the workshop there are many things that cross my mind. Of course the seminars were useful by introducing different views, different problems, and many possible solutions. But afterwards I feel that most useful were the informal discussions, the common practical work and the personal contacts. Finally I would like to thank the organizing committee for a really fantastic job in mixing everything together in a good way: seminars, practical work, field work and discussions with visits to nearby restaurants for lunch or dinner and informal discussions.

The XII Symposium of Cryptogamic Botany, Valencia

Over 40 lichenologists, mainly from Spain but also from Portugal and Italy participated in the XII Symposium of Cryptogamic Botany held in Valencia, 17-20 September 1997. Papers on lichens were presented in two sections: Taxonomy-Biogeography-Ecophysiology and Bioindication. In the section conducted by A. Crespo, contributions related with the forthcoming Iberian Lichen Flora were presented. Some of them included new genetic data and lichen substances analysis. In the section conducted by L. Sancho, we appreciated very much the active participation and the very interesting papers presented by our Italian and Portuguese colleagues, sharing with them our own results in lichen biomonitoring and photosynthetic performance of lichens from different habitats. A workshop on "Structure of the lichen thallus" was organized and conducted by F. Valladares. Eight speakers (C. Ascaso, S. Fos, I. Martinez, L. Balaguer, J. M. Egea, A. Terron, A. Gomez-Bolea, and X. Llimona) presented examples of their recent research, opening topics and raising problems for the general discussion. This was a one-hour-long debate involving the whole audience, dealing with our current understanding of the variability of lichen morphology and anatomy, and pointing to areas for future research. A critical analysis of the techniques available versus those currently used by lichenologists was presented, emphasizing the strong influence of the equipment on the results. Topics focused on ecophysiology were: i) the influence of growth form, anatomy and ultrastructure on lichen water relations, ii) interactions with the substrate both in saxicolous and in epiphytic species, and iii) implications of the allometric relation surface area vs. dry weight for gas exchange of the thallus. Speakers with a more taxonomical approach presented examples of remarkable variability in thallus features of diagnostic value, such as colour, growth form (endo- vs. epilithic), presence of soralia , pruina or epinecral layers. For example, the separation of genera within Teloschistales according to growth form (i.e. crustose Caloplaca, foliose Xanthoria, fruticose Teloschistes) was questioned, due to the anatomy of intermediate taxa. Structural variability is an interesting challenge in ecology, but a complex problem in taxonomy. Besides, it was concluded that the promising information of molecular biology regarding phylogeny and taxonomy of lichens has to be used with care, because it seems unclear whether it reflects the evolution of certain molecules or the evolution of lichen taxa. The debate addressed briefly the controversial concept of species in lichens. Most participants agreed that the species concept must be a useful-practical one, and that the name of a lichen must be a tool for biologists for referring to a recognizable organism. Despite the many theoretical objections, the morphological recognition of a species is crucial for both field ecologists and laboratory biologists, and it is the only feasible way to tackle many issues concerning lichen biodiversity. Finally, two more suggestions were discussed: a) the need for unifying definitions, terms and units in lichen biology, since many features such as those referring to water relations are expressed in different ways using different units by different authors, which makes comparisons and general reviews an almost impossible task; b) the need for improving our understanding of the variability of lichen structure by comparing not only different thalli but also different populations, and by looking not only at individuals of average size (and age) but also at those encompassing the natural range of sizes (and ages) of a given population, since size allometrically affects many structural features. As usual, during the Symposium the meeting of of the Sociedad Española de Liquenología (SEL) was held, chaired by the President, X. Llimona. The assembly decided to provide some student grants for the next SEL excursion, which will be held in Sanabria (Northwestern Spain) in September 1998 leaded by Dr. López de Silanes and Dr. Terrón. On Friday, D. Hawksworth delivered an excellent lecture about "Questions of individuality in lichen thalli", and P. L. Nimis moderated the following discussion in such a way that this could have been by itself an endless enthusiastic meeting if we did not have to hand over the floor to the general assembly. Lichenologists also had the opportunity to follow highly interesting lectures on other cryptogams. Especially fascinating was the inagural lecture presented by L. Margulis about "Photosynthetic life. Symbiogenesis and the origins of the algae". None of us will ever forget the exciting video about sex with or without reproduction in protoctists, with accompaniement of suitable music and surrounded by a really "hot" atmosphere. Eva Barreno, president of the Symposium, is to be thanked for the splendid arrangements, including an excursion, two concerts and a Hollywood-like reception at the Botanic Garden. The organizers of the next meeting in Madrid (September 1999) will have to work hard to maintain the level reached in Valencia. We promise we are going to try it!

Participants of the IAL field meeting "Recollecting Vainio" will have encountered in the secundary bushes around the famous Carassa monastery the conspicuous, large, orbicular patches of a lobulate Parmelinopsis species. Celio Ribeiro, one of the organizers and expert of Parmeliaceae, informed me that this was Parmelinopsis schindleri. Its name is a testimony of the activity of a remarkable lichenologist, Dr. Herbert Schindler from Karlsruhe in Germany, who celebrated his 90th birthday this spring. His interest in lichens was raised in his young years, but in those days opportunities for a career in lichenology were limited. Consequently, Herbert started a productive professional career in pharmacy. Lichens remained his hobby, and especially after his retirement he visited many places all over the world to explore their lichen floras. The efforts to make his collections available to specialists resulted a.o. in the description of Parmelinopsis schindleri. More details about his life, a photograph and his list of lichenological publications can be found in an article by B. Feige in Aktuelle Lichenologische Mitteilungen 14: 1-4. Congratulations!