Folia Cryptogamica Estonica

First record of the family Micromitriaceae (Bryophyta) in Argentina

Soledad Jimenez — 2026-02-13

The first record of Micromitriaceae Smyth ex Goffinet & Budke, represented by Micromitrium wrightii (Müll. Hal.) Crosby, is reported for northern Argentina. Micromitriaceae are a monotypic family of cleistocarpic, ephemeral mosses, separated from the Ephemeraceae J.W.Griff. & Henfr. by molecular analyses. This family is distinguished by the presence of a minute calyptra, a dehiscence line on the capsule, and the absence of stomata. Micromitrium wrightii is a cleistocarpic species characterized by the small size of the plants, linear-lanceolate leaves, the proximal ones weakly costate, irregularly rhomboidal and smooth laminal cells; a persistent calyptra, and large spores. Based on samples collected in Río Pilcomayo National Park reserve (Formosa – Argentina), the monotypic family Micromitriaceae, represented by Micromitrium wrightii, is reported for the first time in Argentina. A complete description with illustration under Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, and a dichotomous key to distinguish this taxon with related species of the Ephemeraceae, are presented here.

Uncovering hidden biodiversity: over 40 new records of pyrenocarpous lichens for the Philippines

Ermalene Catipan Taer — 2026-03-24

As part of ongoing efforts to document the lichen biota of the southern Philippines, we report 41 additional species as new records for the country, of which 14 are new to Southeast Asia and 4 species are new to Asia. The Philippine archipelago now emerges as one of the hotspots of pyrenocarpous lichens in Southeast Asia, with an updated list of 224 species, encompassing 39 genera and 10 families. Given the accelerating habitat loss and sporadic attention for lichens in the country, our findings underscore the urgent need for continued biodiversity exploration efforts not only to catalogue the lichen diversity but also to integrate these underrepresented organisms into broader conservation planning essential for supporting the ecological integrity of Philippine forests.

A study of Acarospora nitrophila, a rare and misunderstood lichen species, and the sister species A. praeruptorum (Acarosporales, Lecanoromycetes)

Kerry Knudsen — 2026-04-24

Revised descriptions with new images and records of the European species Acarospora nitrophila and A. praeruptorum are published. Acarospora moraviae is treated as synonym of A. nitrophila. Acarospora matraensis, incorrectly reported as A. nitrophila, is described from Hungary.

Diversity and distribution of coprophilous Saccobolus species in Ukraine

Yulia Lytvynenko — 2026-10-01

This study provides the first comprehensive account of the genus Saccobolus in Ukraine. Fourteen species are listed and discussed, with data on their distribution and substrate preferences. Detailed morphological descriptions and photomicrographs of Ukrainian collections of Saccobolus diffusus, S. dilutellus, and S. succineus are presented here for the first time. The most frequently recorded taxa in Ukraine were S. citrinus, S. depauperatus, S. minimus, S. saccoboloides and S. truncatus. In contrast, S. caesariatus, S. diffusus, S. dilutellus, S. obscurus, S. succineus and S. thaxteri appear to be rare in Ukraine, several of which are also globally uncommon. Saccobolus glaber, S. verrucisporus and S. versicolor are widespread but infrequently recorded in Ukraine. An updated identification key to all coprophilous species of Saccobolus recorded in Ukraine is presented.

New records of lichens and allied fungi from the Leningrad Region, Russia. XIV

Dmitry E. Himelbrant — 2026-10-01

Seven lichen (including two “semilichen”) species, ten lichenicolous fungi and one related saprotrophic fungus were recorded for the first time in the Leningrad Region or Saint Petersburg. The lichen Micarea myriocarpa and the lichenicolous fungus Tremella anaptychiae are new to Russia. The lichenicolous fungi Arrhenia peltigerina s. lat., Cladosporium licheniphilum, and Unguiculariopsis lettaui are new to European Russia. The species Amandinea pelidna, Coppinsiella ulcerosa, Cryptodiscus foveolaris, Lichenopeltella ramalinae, Monodictys epicladonia, Reichlingia zwackhii, Stigmidium cladoniicola, and Zyzygomyces aipoliae are new to North-Western European Russia.

Additions and amendments to the list of Estonian bryophytes

Kai Vellak — 2026-10-01

Three new species have been added to the Estonian bryoflora within last two years, one of which – Fontinalis dichelymoides was identified for us from earlier herbaria materials during European research of the genus Fontinalis. Two species – Bryum violaceum and Rhynchostegiella tenella – were found during recent bryological inventories. In addition, voucher data for two new taxonomical combinations and four species estimated to be extinct according to the IUNC evaluations in 2018, are presented and discussed here. Our results show that the total number of bryophyte species in Estonia is currently 621. For all new taxa IUCN categories are given.

Occurrence of the rare lichen Nephromopsis laureri (Parmeliaceae) at its northern limit in Europe, with the first record from Finland

Viktoria N. Tarasova — 2026-10-01

Six new localities of Nephromopsis laureri were identified within the 61–63° N latitudinal range in Northern Europe, in middle boreal forests of North Karelia (Finland), as well as in the southern parts of the Republic of Karelia and the Arkhangelsk Region (Russia). We report the first record of N. laureri for Finland, which represents the westernmost point of the species’ Northern European range. All specimens were found as single vegetative thalli (virginal stage, without ascomata, with soralia) in old-growth forests with high stand continuity (140–350 years). Repeated surveys in 2025 confirmed an extremely low population density, with no new individuals detected despite intensive searching. Phylogenetic analysis placed the Finnish specimen within the European N. laureri s. str. clade, clearly distinct from Asian lineages.

A citizen science contribution to the knowledge of the fungal diversity in Italy

Arnold Knijn — 2026-10-01

In May 2017, UNITE invited citizen scientists to send fungal collections for DNA sequencing. We describe the results of one response to this call: the findings of eight years of collecting fungi in Italy, mainly from urban parks in the Metropolitan city of Rome and forests and urban parks north of Rome in the Latium region. Between 2018 and 2025, authors AK and AF collected 486 fungal specimens, which they sent to the University of Tartu in Estonia. Overall, of the 233 distinct species identified by molecular analysis, 34 were rare, seven a first vouchered and phylogenetically confirmed record for Italy, and one a new species to science (Agaricus hortusdamarum). Urban habitats yielded 218 specimens, representing 165 species, advancing the knowledge of fungal diversity in these understudied environments.

New and noteworthy records of lichenized and lichenicolous fungi from Estonia

Liis Marmor-Ohtla — 2026-10-05

Herewith, we continue to update the Estonian checklist of lichenized, lichenicolous and allied fungi, and report 12 lichenized (Aspicilia aquatica, Evernia illyrica, Lecidea swartzioidea, Physcia alnophila, Protoblastenia borealis, P. compressa, Rehmia rubescens, Sarcogyne nivea, Thelidium rimosulum, Verrucaria cernaensis, V. linkolae and V. tenebrosa) and one lichenicolous (Phacographa glaucomaria) species new for Estonia. In addition, the species Lobarina scrobiculata, last found nearly half a century ago, has been rediscovered in Estonia.

In memoriam: Ingvar Kärnefelt (19.07.1944–24.07.2026)

Tiina Randlane — 2026-10-05

Jan Eric Ingvar Kärnefelt, known as Ingvar among the international lichenological community, passed away just a few days before the 10th symposium of the International Association for Lichenology (IAL) in Trieste, Italy. All participants of the general meeting of the IAL remembered him as an organizer of IAL2 symposium (1992), former president of the assembly (during 1992–1996) and a profound researcher.