The new genus of lichenicolous fungi Austrostigmidium is described from Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego (Chile). It is characterized by the presence of black pseudothecia, pseudoparaphyses, fissitunicate, I−, KI− asci and 3-septate hyaline ascospores. So far, the only known species grows on Mastodia tessellata (Verrucariales, Eurotiomycetes). The new genus is compared with anatomically close genera. Based on nuLSU and nuSSU markers we inferred its phylogenetic relationships and found that it belongs to the family Teratosphaeriaceae (Capnodiales, Dothideomycetes) and is closely related to rock-inhabiting fungal species, as well as to the hyphomycetous lichenicolous fungus Xanthoriicola. Finally, the host-parasite interface has been analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy in order to describe the interactions among the new fungus and the symbionts forming the host lichen.

Based on collections focusing on Graphidaceae made in 2012 at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) in Singapore, seven new species are described: Astrochapsa sipmanii, differing from A. astroidea in the olive-brown thallus and thick and coarse apothecial pruina; Fissurina duplomarginata, differing from F. insidiosa by the double margin of the lirellae and the more greenish, rough thallus; Graphis bukittimaensis, differing from G. phaeospora in the erumpent lirellae with lateral thalline margin and the consistently 1-spored asci; G. singaporensis, differing from G. novopalmicola in the much smaller ascospores and in the immersed, densely branched lirellae with thin lateral thalline margin; Ocellularia subudupiensis, differing from O. udupiensis in the presence of three unknown secondary substances and in the comparatively rough thallus surface; O. gueidaniana, characterized by small, transversely septate, hyaline ascospores, prominent, carbonized but ecolumellate apothecia, and two unknown chemical substances resembling metabolites in the stictic acid chemosyndrome; and O. rivasplatana, differing from O. exigua in the larger, broad-pored apothecia with black-rimmed margin and filled with a black-topped columella. Nineteen species are recognized as new records for Singapore. The substantial diversity of Graphidaceae in this reserve suggests that many more taxa are awaiting discovery, even in such a highly urbanized location.

Recently collected specimens of the crustose lichen Melaspilea demissa from south-eastern USA have been compared with those of Melaspilea spp. previously determined from North America. A review of both the historical and contemporary treatments of this species is provided. A lectotype was selected from the type collection of M. demissa in FH and is here proposed as it best matches incomplete citations in the original treatment. We also discuss the nomenclatural and taxonomic status of the name Opegrapha cymbiformis var. deformis (considered a synonym of M. gibberulosa). North American specimens of M. gibberulosa were found to be misidentifications, as were specimens attributed to M. lentiginosula, M. mesophlebia and M. octomera. We therefore recommend that these species be removed from the North American lichen checklist. We also present a key to North American Melaspilea.

Lobarina scrobiculata (better known as Lobaria scrobiculata) is a widespread lichen, threatened and Red-Listed in various European countries. Microsatellite markers for the mycobiont of L. scrobiculata were developed in order to investigate its genetic diversity in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe and to design effective conservation strategies. A total of 7 polymorphic markers were isolated and characterized. These microsatellites were tested in natural populations found in the Iberian Peninsula. The number of observed alleles ranged from 3 to 8, and the Nei's unbiased gene diversity from 0·26 to 0·59. These microsatellite markers are the first to be developed for L. scrobiculata and they will be useful for population studies and for the assessment of the conservation status of this species.

Changes in the functional traits of the terricolous lichen Peltigera aphthosa with declining soil fertility during ecosystem retrogression were investigated. A well-documented retrogressive chronosequence of 28 forested islands in northern Sweden that differ greatly in fire history and which spans 5000 years was used. The abundance of cephalodia increased, indicative of higher N2-fixation rates resulting from lower N availability. Thallus δ13C values increased with ageing soils, in line with declining δ13C values of the humus substratum along this gradient. However, δ13C values were also driven by variation in factors that were at least partly independent of soil ageing. As such, δ13C values were mostly related to specific thallus mass (STM), possibly because a higher STM gives a thicker cortical layer and thus greater resistance to CO2 diffusion, leading to higher δ13C values. STM and other measured traits (i.e. thallus N, P, secondary compounds and water-holding capacity) were unresponsive to the gradient, despite these traits being very responsive to the same gradient in epiphytic lichen species.