The phylogeny of theMicarea prasinagroup was investigated using mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences from 14 taxa representing this group, four other members of the genusMicarea, andPsilolechia lucidaas an outgroup. A total of 31 new mtSSU rDNA sequences were generated, including 10 from theM. micrococcacomplex. Bayesian, maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods were used to analyse the data. The results show thatM. micrococcais not monophyletic and forms three strongly supported lineages: 1)M. micrococcas. str., 2)M. byssacea(Th. Fr.) Czarnota, Guzow-Krzemińska & Coppins comb. nov., and 3) a putative taxon that requires further studies.Micarea viridileprosais a sister species toM. micrococcas. str. and the recently describedM. nowakiiis a sister species toM. prasinas. str. The placement ofM. tomentosawithin theM. prasinagroup is confirmed.Micarea hedlundiiappears to be more closely related to theM. micrococcacomplex thanM. prasinas. str. Descriptions, illustrations, taxonomic remarks, distribution and habitat data forM. micrococcas. str. andM. byssaceaare provided. A lectotype forBiatora byssaceaHampe non Zwackh and a neotype forCatillaria prasinaβ [var.]byssaceaare selected.

The growth rate inhibition of dermatophytes by compounds extracted by acetone, ethanol, methanol and water derived from representatives of several lichen genera (e.g. Caloplaca, Everniastrum, Heterodermia, Hypotrachyna, Platismatia and Ramalina) were compared on the basis of a worldwide review of published research. The examined dermatophytes included Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum audouinii, M. canis, M. gypseum, M. nanum, Trichophyton longifusus, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. tonsurans and T. violaceum. The influence of selected secondary lichen compounds, e.g. usnic acid, on the growth rates of these dermatophytes was also reviewed. The measurement of inhibition by lichen compounds was performed by several methods, but mostly those employing disc‐diffusion, broth dilution and agar dilution. The fungicidal activity of water extracted compounds from Heterodermia leucomela and Hypotrachyna cirrhata and of methanol extracted compounds from Evernia divaricata and Ramalina pollinaria, as well as protolichesterinic and 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxy‐3,6‐dimethylbenzoic acids, are distinguished.

Micarea soraliferasp. nov., a new sorediate species belonging to theM. prasinagroup, is characterized by soralia developing directly from the endoxylic thallus or small external areoles, as well as the presence of micareic acid. Phylogenetic analyses of mtSSU rDNA sequences have shown that its closest relative isM. subviridescens. ITS rDNA sequence, a marker proposed as the universal barcoding region of fungi, was generated from the holotype.

The present meta-analysis provides literature data on the effect of lichen extracts and single secondary metabolites used againstFusariumspp. moulds. Lichen extracts were obtained from 51 corticolous, 17 terricolous and 18 saxicolous lichen species and 37 secondary compounds were tested against eight fungal species, i.e.,Fusarium acuminatum,F. avenaceum,F. culmorum,F. fujikuroi,F. oxysporum,F. roseum,F. solaniandF. udum. The researchers used several test methods, mostly to determine MIC and IZ. Extracts were obtained using several solvents, mainly organic ones with use of the Soxhlet apparatus. The most frequently tested species wasF. oxysporum, against which lichen substances fromAlectoria sarmentosa,Cladonia mitis,C. rangiferina,Flavoparmelia caperata,Hypotrachyna cirrhata,Leucodermia leucomelos,Parmotrema austrosinense,P. reticulatum,Physcia aipolia,Pseudevernia furfuracea,Roccella montagneiandUmbilicaria nylanderianaand secondary metabolites such as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoic acid, atranorin, lecanoric and (+)-usnic acids showed the highest antifungal potential. These agencies could compete with the potential of fungicides, such as flucytosine and fluconazole. Other species have been poorly investigated. Statistical analysis of literature data showed that the fungistatic potential of lichen extracts is significantly different from individual secondary metabolites. Similarly, the potential of secondary metabolites often differs significantly from that of non-lichen substances. This meta-analysis indicates the potential of lichen substances as future anti-fusarial agents.

Motiejūnaitė, J., Chesnokov, S. V., Czarnota, P., Gagarina, L.V., Frolov, I., Himelbrant, D., Konoreva, L. A., Kubiak, D., Kukwa, M., Moisejevs, R., Stepanchikova, I., Suija, A., Tagirdzhanova, G., Thell, A. & Tsurykau, A. 2016. Ninety-one species of lichens and allied fungi new to Latvia with a list of additional records from Kurzeme. — Herzogia 29: 143–163. The results of lichenological excursions of the 19th Symposium of Baltic Mycologists and Lichenologists (BMLS) in Latvia, Kurzeme region, 22–26 September 2014, are reported. A list of 290 species is presented, of which 238 are lichenized, 43 lichen-inhabiting, and nine saprotrophic fungi: ninety-one species are new to Latvia, twelve of which (Caloplaca duplicata, Cresporhaphis wienkampii, Ellisembia lichenicola, Gallowayella weberi, Gregorella humida, Lichenochora weillii, Parmelia serrana, Polycauliona phlogina, Reconditella physconiarum, Stictis brunnescens, Thelocarpon superellum, and Verrucaria tectorum) are also new for the Baltic Stat... Zusammenfassung: Motiejūnaitė, J., Chesnokov, S. V., Czarnota, P., Gagarina, L.V., Frolov, I., Himelbrant, D., Konoreva, L. A., Kubiak, D., Kukwa, M., Moisejevs, R., Stepanchikova, I., Suija, A., Tagirdzhanova, G., Thell, A. & Tsurykau, A. 2016. Einundneunzig Flechten, flechtenbewohnende und flechtenähnliche Pilze neu für Lettland, mit einer Liste weiterer Funde aus Kurland. — Herzogia 29: 143–163. Die Ergebnisse der lichenologischen Exkursionen im Rahmen des 19. Symposiums Baltischer Mykologen und Lichenologen (BMLS) in Kurland (Lettland) vom 22.–26. September 2014 werden vorgestellt. Die Liste umfaßt 290 Arten, darunter 238 Flechten, 43 flechtenbewohnende und 9 saprophytische Pilze. 91 Arten sind neu für Lettland, darunter sind 12 (Caloplaca duplicata, Cresporhaphis wienkampii, Ellisembia lichenicola, Gallowayella weberi, Gregorella humida, Lichenochora weillii, Parmelia serrana, Polycauliona phlogina, Reconditella physconiarum, Stictis brunnescens, Thelocarpon superellum und Verrucaria tectorum) neu fü...