The present key includes all members of the Lichinaceae and related families (see Prieto & al. 2024) with a nostocoid photobiont (Schultz & Büdel 2002) known to occur in Italy (Nimis 2016), plus some species which are known from neighbouring countries (Nimis & al. 2018) and should be looked for in Italy, for a total of 12 species. The following genera are included:
1) Lempholemma Körb., with c. 35 species, is a very heterogeneous genus including both flat, foliose species resembling a Collema s.lat., and squamulose or microfruticose species. According to Jørgensen (2007), the latter could be perhaps treated as members of the genus Spilonemella Nyl. Keys to most European species were published by Clauzade & Roux (1985), Wirth & al. (2013) and Jørgensen (2007). The species of the Eastern Alps were studied by Schiman-Czeika (1988).
2) Lemmopsis (Vain.) Zahlbr., a genus including 4 species occurring in arid to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, on calcareous rocks and clay soil. The genus was monographed by Ellis (1981).
3) Synalissina Nyl., a recently-resurrected genus of the Lichinellaceae, resembling Lempholemma, but with apothecia always formed from ascogones arising in a tangle of generative hyphae, Peccania-type asci, the formation of hormocystangia in some species, and the exclusive occurrence on rock (Prieto & al. 2024).

References

Clauzade G., Roux C. 1985. Likenoj de Okcidenta Europo. Ilustrita determinlibro. Bull. Soc. Bot. Centre-Ouest, N. Ser., N. Spec. 7. Royan, 893 pp.
Ellis L.T. 1981. A revision and review of Lemmopsis and some related species. Lichenologist, 13, 2: 123-139.
Jørgensen P.M. 2007. Arctomiaceae, Coccocarpiaceae, Collemataceae, Heppiaceae, Lichinaceae, Pannariaceae. Nordic Lichen Flora, Vol 3: Cyanolichens. Uddevalla. 219 pp.
Nimis P.L. 2016. The lichens of Italy. A second annotated catalogue. EUT, Trieste, 740 pp.
Nimis P.L., Hafellner J., Roux C., Clerc P., Mayrhofer H., Martellos S., Bilovitz P.O. 2018. The Lichens of the Alps. An Annotated Catalogue. Mycokeys, 31: 1-634.
Prieto M., Wedin M., Schultz M. 2024. Phylogeny, evolution and a re-classification of the Lichinomycetes. Studies in Mycology, 109: 595-655.
Schiman-Czeika H. 1988. Beobachtungen an Lempholemma-Arten aus dem Ostalpenraum (Lichenes, Lichinaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 158, 2-4: 283-288.
Schultz M., Büdel B. 2002. Key to the genera of the Lichinaceae. Lichenologist, 34, 1: 39-62.
Wirth V., Hauck M., Schultz M. 2013. Die Flechten Deutschlands. Stuttgart, Ulmer. 2 voll., 1244 p.

Last modified: March, 15, 2025

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