A revision of the lichen genus Gomphillus Nyl. in the Americas reveals that G. caribaeus W. R. Buck does not belong in that genus, but is a member of the Pilocarpaceae in the Lecanorales. Because of its distinctive features, the species cannot be accommodated in any of the known genera of that family, and the new genus Bryogomphus Lücking, W. R. Buck, Sérus. & L. I. Ferraro is established for it. Bryogomphus is characterized by turbinate, vertically elongate, obconical apothecia with a disc-shaped top, anastomosing paraphyses forming a reticulum around individual asci, amyloid asci of the Sporopodium-type, and filiform, multiseptate ascospores. Most similar within the Pilocarpaceae is Bapalmuia marginalis, but that species differs in having unbranched, strongly coherent paraphyses and Byssoloma-type asci with a darker tubular structure in the tholus. Calopadia turbinata (Tuck.) Sérus. & Lücking comb. nov. is also related but has a paraplectenchymatous excipulum, largely unbranched paraphyses, and oblong-ellipsoid, muriform ascospores. Bryogomphus shows a remarkable convergence with Gomphillus in the Gomphillaceae (Ostropales), being extremely similar even in many details, except for the amyloid asci, slightly thicker and irregularly bent paraphyses, externally thinly byssoid excipulum with labyrinthical structure, and disc-shaped top of the apothecia.

Revision of two collections of Gomphillus from Papua New Guinea and Chile, previously identified as Gomphillus ophiosporus and G. calycioides, respectively, revealed that these represent an undescribed species, G. morchelloides Lücking & Sérus. The new species is characterized by short-stipitate, apically much broadened, cerebriform to morchelloid apothecia and ascospores intermediate between those of G. ophiosporus and G. calycioides.

A synopsis of the genus Gomphillus in the Americas is presented, with the description of the new species, G. pedersenii L. I. Ferraro & Lücking, from Argentina. The new species is characterized by pale, vertically elongate apothecia, rather broad ascospores, and umbelliform hyphophores. With the exclusion of G. caribaeus W. R. Buck, which belongs in a new genus, Bryogomphus, in the Pilocarpaceae, and the recent discovery of another new species, G. morchelloides Lücking & Sérus., the genus Gomphillus now comprises five species. All taxa are keyed out and briefly discussed, and a distribution map for the Americas is given.

The pattern of gemma/gemmaling ontogeny in the liverwort Blasia pusilla L. is described from its origin as a primordium within the gemma receptacle to the formation of a juvenile gametophyte. Data were obtained from herbarium specimens, field-grown and axenically cultured plants, using a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. A consistent, uniform, fundamental developmental pattern was elucidated that is characterized by the production, within the receptacle, of a discoid to ellipsoid, stalked gemma composed of distinct tiers of thick-walled cells and margined by lateral columns of thin-walled, potentially active cells. After dispersal from the receptacle, lateral growth ensues from a gemmaling initial that is produced via quadrant formation from one lateral margin cell. Ultimately, an adult cuneate apical cell is honed that generates segments the same as in the adult plant to produce the juvenile gametophyte typical of Blasia. Both the gemmaling and sporeling ontogenies of Blasia incorporate a quadrant system that is fundamental to generative cell formation. However, sporeling ontogeny is reduced as compared with that of gemmaling ontogeny in its lack of a cell comparable to the gemmaling initial, and in its less extensive, less variable basal quadrant segmentation. The existence of similar quadrant stages in the primary ontogenetic patterns of Blasia and the frequency of quadrant production in sporelings of numerous complex thalloid liverwort taxa suggest the need to precisely elucidate the primary ontogenies of these key taxa to allow comparative analyses that will aid in more accurately deducing the phylogenetic affinities of the Blasiales.

Increased knowledge of a species overall habitat requirements is important for enhancing the outcome of any conservation effort. The present study identifies habitat and substrate characteristics associated with high vitality of both core and fringe populations of the suboceanic species Platismatia norvegica. Platismatia norvegica was surveyed at four oceanic sites in central Norway, and at five sites in Sweden situated on the suboceanic fringe of the species' distribution range in Scandinavia. The study has shown that close proximity to watercourses is essential for the occurrence of P. norvegica in suboceanic fringe habitats. Also, results suggest that less acidic bark pH values, especially in combination with close proximity to open water, might be beneficial for the abundance of the species in the suboceanic region, while neither of these factors was of importance for the occurrence of the species in the oceanic core habitats. Also, overall thallus abundances were much higher in the core environments, a pattern which most likely is due to macroclimatic characteristics. While higher bark pH levels in the oceanic region failed to explain the observed differences, there was a good correspondence at site level between abundance and annual wet precipitation. The marginal P. norvegica populations displayed both morphological and distributional responses to the more continental climate. However, close to the watercourses in the suboceanic region, it was found that both thallus abundances and mean values for thallus area surpassed those found in the oceanic region. It is often argued that conservation measures should be concentrated within the distributional core of a species, to achieve an optimal outcome. The present study suggests that, within the zone bordering the streams, conditions for maintaining viable populations of P. norvegica are fully comparable to those in the oceanic region. In view of the scarcity of protected habitats in central Norway, the present study indicates that both set-aside protection and restoration of fringe populations can be of great importance to the conservation of endangered suboceanic lichens in Scandinavia.

Buxbaumia minakatae S. Okamura was first reported for Pennsylvania from Allegheny County as B. indusiata Brid. A reexamination of this collection confirmed its identity. New distribution records of Buxbaumia minakatae are also added for Fayette and Westmoreland counties. The differences separating B. minakatae and B. aphylla are seta size, capsule orientation, and urn shape. A lectotype of B. subcylindrica Grout is chosen from the Grout herbarium induke.

The new cyanobacterial lichen species Phloeopeccania anemoides is described from Baja California Sur and Sinaloa, Mexico. The species colonizes open rock surfaces on volcanic boulders in rocky slopes. A key to the known North American species of Phloeopeccania is provided.

The largest collection studied so far of mosses in Dominican amber is reported here. The collection, in the Smithsonian Institution, consists of 76 pieces of amber containing bryophyte material, with a range of one to seven species of mosses and liverworts per piece. Nearly all specimens could be attributed to extant taxa and a total of 18 distinct moss species were identified in this collection, which raises the total number of mosses known from Dominican amber to 28. Six taxa assignable with some confidence to extant species are reported for the first time from Dominican amber: Calymperes levyanum, Calymperes smithii, Mniomalia viridis, Octoblepharum cylindricum, Orthostichopsis praetermissa, Plagiomnium rhynchophorum. A list of all species of mosses so far known from Dominican amber is given with an indication of their frequency in amber, and present distribution and altitudinal range. Some species are very rare at present and may be approaching extinction today. The main component of mosses so far found from the amber forest consists of species of Leucobryaceae, Calymperaceae, and Neckeraceae. Most species are widespread and found today in the West Indies as well as in Central and South America, thus representing an old stock of neotropical species. The present altitudinal distribution of the species ranges from lowland-submontane to montane, indicating climate changes within the period of amber production. In contrast to the liverworts reported from Dominican amber, the mosses can mostly be attributed to extant species, indicating perhaps a slower rate of evolution than in liverworts. Assemblages of several bryophyte species in amber show the presence of extinct liverworts together with extant mosses, the latter in combinations which are still found today.

The squamulose pyrenocarpous lichen Neocatapyrenium disparatum from Texas is described as new. It is the only species of the genus so far known to occur outside Eurasia. Morphologically it resembles N. cladonioideum from eastern Asia but differs in having a finely scabrid thallus surface and smaller ascospores. A key to the five known species is provided.

New to the Americas from California is Didymodon bistratosus J.-P. Hébrard & R. B. Pierrot, differing significantly from congeners by the deep red lower portions of the plant, and 2–3-stratose upper lamina. In California it was found on a sandstone boulder in a mesic oak woodland. Its range worldwide is restricted to California, the Iberian Peninsula and Turkey.

Over 26,100 records of lichens present in 144 U.S. national park units were assembled from various sources into a database and analyzed. Within these 144 park units 2,435 species and 375 genera are reported, representing 63% and 74% of the North American flora, respectively. The park units are located in 41 states and Washington, D.C. The average number of species in a park is 104, but the median is 60, indicating there are many parks with a small number of species and a few with high numbers. Isle Royale National Park has the most species, 611, and twelve parks have only one species reported. The number of records of lichens present ranged from one for 25 parks, to 1,623 for Isle Royale. Physcia aipolia is the most frequently observed species, being found in 65 parks. One fourth of the park units are classified cultural resource parks, while the remainder are considered natural resource parks. This study was based on 453 sources, including literature citations, park reports and collections in the University of Minnesota Herbarium.

Dominant patterns and processes in rare bryophyte ecology are presented within the framework of current rarity theory. Available evidence suggests that bryophyte conservation should primarily consider the importance of establishment and habitat requirements for rare species. Preservation of rare and high quality habitats is essential. Future understanding of causes of rarity in bryophytes will benefit most by exploring the ecological drivers that allow species to expand their ranges. Comparisons of rare-common congeners, rare species throughout their range (not only where they are rare) and species currently experiencing range expansions or contractions are likely to yield the most robust and relevant data sets.

An overview of the cyanobacterial lichen genus Lichinella in southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico is given. Eleven species are briefly described, notes on relationships among the species are discussed, and distribution maps are provided. Lichinella granulosa is described as new to science. It forms granulose areoles or small squamules with slightly effigurate margins. The new species develops globose to short cylindrical or clavate outgrowths on the upper thallus surface. These progagules are interpreted as soredia. They may function as a second type of diaspore in addition to the sexually produced ascospores. The name change Lichinella myriospora is validated. Lichinella flexa, L. iodopulchra, L. myriospora, L. robustoides, and L. sinaica are new records to the lichen flora of the United States. Lichinella cribellifera, L. minnesotensis, and L. myriospora are new to Mexico.

Microdendron Broth., an eastern Asian endemic genus, was initially described based mainly on the tree-like gametophytes, but there have been several conflicting taxonomic treatments. In this study, we sequenced three DNA regions of Microdendron: the nuclear 18S, and chloroplast rbcL and trnL-F. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Microdendron is nested within Pogonatum, suggesting that the genus should not be recognized. Additionally we found an indel in the trnL intron region shared by the two genera, which also indicates the close relationship between them. Moreover, the probable allies of Microdendron sinense Broth. within Pogonatum are suggested based on detailed investigation under the scanning electron microscope.