U.S.A. California: San Luis Obispo Co., Along Shell Creek Rd 0.3 miles N of junction to State Route 58. 35°28'N, 120°20'W. Alt. c. 400 m. 26 July 1998, M. Westberg 953 (LD!, isotype S!).

New to Switzerland. This species was recently formally described and reported from Europe as well as North and South America (Westberg and Arup 2011). Compared to Candelaria concolor (Dicks.) Stein, Candelaria pacifica is characterized by an arachnoid appearance of the lower surface of the lobes due to the lack of a cortex (see also photographs in Bomble 2012). It also has 8-spored asci (polyspored in Candelaria concolor) but it is rarely fertile in Europe. Candelaria pacifica is widespread in Europe and common at least in the northwestern parts, e.g., in the southern half of Scandinavia (Westberg and Arup 2010) but its frequency and ecology is not well known outside Scandinavia. In Switzerland it is apparently much less common than Candelaria concolor and we have so far only seen a few specimens from Graubünden, Jura and Valais. Candelaria concolor on the other hand is common in Switzerland and also noticeably spreading, possibly due to nitrogen pollution.

Graubünden: Scuol, alt. 1990 m, 22 Sept 1998, Roth (G 00298405); Zernez, alt. 1550 m. 20 June 1997, Vust (G 00298079); Jura: Le Noirmont, Le Creux-des-Biches, alt. 1020 m., 8 Aug 1996, Groner (G 00298072); Valais: Zeneggen, Eich, 1010-1030 m, , 19 Nov 2010, Clerc (G 00057817).

U.S.A. Colorado: Larimer Co., Trail Ridge, 0.5 mi SE of Ranger Station, NW of Tombstone Ridge, 11500–11700 ft alt., 30 June 1962, R. A. Anderson 2229 (COLO!, isotype BRY!).

Candelariella aggregata was recently reported from Europe for the first time from the Murmansk Region in Russia (Urbanavichus and Urbanavichene 2008) and also from Switzerland (Spinelli 2011). It is a terricolous species growing in arctic-alpine areas as well as in dry, steppe-like habitats in North America, Asia and Europe (Westberg 2007b, Westberg and Sohrabi manuscript). It is recognized by its yellow granular to areolate thallus, numerous and often crowded apothecia with a thin margin (Fig. 1). The asci are 8-spored with narrowly ellipsoid spores (14–)15–18(–21) × 5.0–6.0 µm. Compared to e.g., Candelariella aurella (Hoffm.) Zahlbr it also has a proper exciple that does not form a distinct stipe below the hymenium and the structure of the exciple is paraplechtenchymatous with thin cell-walls (Westberg 2007b). Candelariella aggregata appears to be common in the continental parts of Switzerland in steppe-like habitats at low altitudes or on well lit calcareous walls on south-facing slopes at higher altitudes.

There is a large variation in thallus morphology, apothecia and in spore size in 8-spored terricolous material in Switzerland. Possibly several species are involved and this group is clearly in need of revision. The name Candelariella unilocularis (Elenkin) Nimis has been used for a terricolous species with a well-developed thallus and long spores but this name is a synonym of Candelariella aurella (Khodosovtsev 2005, Westberg and Sohrabi in press). Material of the long-spored species from the Swiss Alps will be described in a forthcoming paper (Otte and Westberg, in prep.).

Graubünden: Ardez, alt. 1491 m, 11 Oct 2007, Vust (G 00298392, G 00298400); sous l’église de Feldis, alt. 1470 m, 6 June 1999, Clerc (G 00298388); Fetan, Mot da l’Hom, alt 2380 m, 24 July 1956, Frey (G 00298391); National Park, Piz Pisoc, 29 July 1934, Frey (G 00298390); Tarasp, alt. 1440 m, 10 Aug 1995, Vust (G 00298398); Tarasp, alt. 1420 m, 12 June 1998, Vust (G 00298389); Valais: Bagnes, LaLy, alt. 2350 m, 24 July 2008, Vust (G 00298397, 00298399); Charrat, alt. 518 m, 2 Oct 2007, Vust (G 00298394); Guttet/Leuk, alt. 1000 m, 18 Oct 1997, Vust (G 00298403); Loèche, alt. 855 m, 7 Aug 1997, Vust (G 00298395); Mauvoisin, alt. 2740 m, 15 Aug 1998, Vust (G 00298413); Mazembroz, alt. 600 m, 28 April 1999, Vust (G 00298402); Rarogne, Heidnischbiel, alt. 759 m, 16 Oct 2007, Vust (G 00122115); Saillon, colline du château, alt. 504 m, 20 Sept 2007, Vust (G 00298396); Saillon, W part of the Saillon hill, alt. c. 500 m, 19 Nov 2010, Westberg 10-178, 10-182 (S F177773, F177825); Vex, les Crêtes, alt. 1083 m, 5 Aug 1996, Vust (G 00298404); Zeneggen, alt. 1315 m, 15 Oct 2007, Vust (G 00298393, G 00298401); Zeneggen, Eich, 1010-1030 m, 19 Nov 2010, Westberg 10-193 (S F178469).

ARGENTINA, Mendozae: Depto. Las Heras, pr. Quebrada de la Meina la Atala, 2 July 1937, A. Ruiz Leal (H!).

New to Switzerland and Austria. Candelariella antennaria is a corticolous or lignicolous species characterized by a grey thallus and 8-spored asci. The Swiss specimens were earlier identified as Candelariella viae-lacteae. This species also has a grey thallus but it is uniformly composed of sphaerical granules, whereas the thallus in Candelariella antennaria is contiguous or with scattered, convex areoles or indistinct but never distinctly granular (Fig. 2). Candelariella antennaria was first reported from Europe from Crete by Vondrák et al. (2008). There are several specimens from Switzerland, all from the continental valleys in Valais and Graubünden. In addition we have seen one specimen from Tirol in Austria. Candelariella antennaria probably has a circumpolar distribution in continental, dry regions but the name possibly represents a complex of species.

Austria. Tirol: Wipptal bei Steinach am Brenner, alt. 1100 m. 10 Sept. 1973, Wunder (M 0140870); Switzerland. Graubünden: Brusio, Casat, am Poschiavino, alt. 661 m, 30 Aug 1995, Groner (G 00298383); Sent, alt. 1490 m, 20 June 1995, Frei (G 00298382); Valais: Eggerberg, alt. 900 m, 30 Sept 1997, Frei (G 00298386); Naters, alt. 675 m, 22 July 1997, Frei (G 00298385); Ried-Brig, alt. 890 m, 22 July 1997, Frei (G 00298387); Sion, Préjeux, alt. 490 m, 23 Aug 1995, Keller (G 00298384); Viège, alt. 650 m, 22 Sept 1997, Frei (G 00298364); Pfynwald, Preissen, alt. 600 m, 19 Nov 2010, Westberg 10-199 (S F178476).

SPAIN, Huesca, Central Pyrenees, Biescas, valle de Asieso, Barranco de Sta. Elena, 30TYN2126, 1100 m. 5 Aug 1993, J. Etayo 13812 & A. Gómez-Bolea (BCC-Lich., isotype herb. Etayo).

New to Switzerland. This newly described species is similar to Candelariella xanthostigma (Ach.) Lettau but is easily identified by its sphaerical spores (ellipsoid in Candelariella xanthostigma). Its distribution is little known and it has hitherto been reported from Greece, Slovakia and Spain (Etayo et al. 2009). All Swiss specimens were collected on deciduous trees in the lowest part of the montane belt between 700 and 1000 m. Only one specimen was collected in the framework of the Red List project and was identified as Candelariella xanthostigma. The small granular, corticolous species is a difficult group in Candelariella. When sterile it is often not possible to identify the different species. The thallus in Candelariella boleana is granular or becoming somewhat areolate with deeply incised areoles, up to c. 0.15 mm wide (Fig. 3). The Swiss specimens also showed aggregates of smaller granules (20–30 µm wide) here and there which could be interpreted as either groups of young granules or blastidiate soredia formed by disintegration of mature areoles. We do not know whether this is a characteristic feature of Candelariella boleana.

Bern: Frienisbergwald bei Bern - Meikirch, alt. 820 m, 15 June 1960, Frey (G 00298408); Fribourg: kleiner Wald zwischen Vaulruz und Semsales, westlich Les Ponts d’Amont, alt. 880 m, 1 July 1969, Frey (G 00122116); Nidwald: Emmetten, Alt Berg, alt. 985 m, 25 July 1995, Frei (G 00298380); Zug: Sihltal bei Unterschwand, alt. 660 m, 1964, Erb (G 00298381).

U.S.A. Michigan: Mackinac Co.: Edge of swamp across highway from Island Point State Forest campground (Hog Island State Forest Campground). 5 Oct 1974, W. R. Buck (MICH, isotype H!).

We can here confirm the presence of Candelariella efflorescens (Fig. 4) in Switzerland by reporting six fertile specimens with c. 30-spored asci. They were collected mainly in the montane belt on deciduous and coniferous trees, mostly close to the ground. The three specimens collected in the framework of the Red List project were identified as Candelariella xanthostigma. As most of the specimens of the small, sorediate Candelariella species are sterile, it is usually not possible to separate between Candelariella efflorescens and Candelariella xanthostigmoides (see under this species) and sterile specimens are referred by us to Candelariella efflorescens agg.

Bern: Lauterbrunnen, Stechelberg, alt. 1000 m, 23 Oct 1996, Keller (G 00298407); Graubünden: bei Strada unterhalb der Brücke, alt. 1070 m, 7 Aug 1962, Frey (G 00298406); Malix, alt. 1700 m, 27 May 1999, Dietrich (G 00057815); Seewis im Praettigau, alt. 1240 m, 22 Sept 1995, Groner (G 0057816); Valais: Pfynwald, Preissen, alt. 600 m, 19 Nov 2010 Westberg 10-200 (S F178475); Zeneggen, Eich, alt. 1010-1030 m, 19 Nov 2010, Westberg 10-188 (S F178464).

CANADA. Nunavut: Kitikmeot. Victoria Island, Wollaston Peninsula, Falaise Bay. Lat/long: 69:28N 114:42W. Alt.: 100 m. 24 July 1999, Jan-Eric Mattsson 5209 (UPS L-105166!).

New to Switzerland. This is a recently described arctic-alpine species reported from North America and northern Scandinavia (Westberg et al. 2011). This is possibly a circumpolar species and it is not surprising that it has now been found in Switzerland. The thallus is composed of small granules (Fig. 5) that soon disintegrate into blastidia (35–80 µm diam.) and the asci are polyspored. It is reminiscent of the corticolous species Candelariella xanthostigma but the substrate and the disintegrating areoles separate it from this species. Of the other terricolous species Candelariella aggregata has 8-spored asci and Candelariella vitellina has a much larger thallus of minute, effigurate areoles-subsquamules. The Swiss specimens were all collected in the continental parts of the country and were left unidentified until this study.

Graubünden: Scarl, Tamangur, alt. 2100, 24 July 1934, Frey (G 00298409); Valais, Cabane des Dix, alt. 2850 m. 14 Aug 1998, Vust (G 00298081); Vallon de Réchy, alt. 2370 m, 15 Aug 1996, Vust (G 00298080).

Lecanora subdeflexa Nyl., Flora62: 355. 1879.

FRANCE. [locality uncertain] 1871, Weddell (H-NYL 29173! designated by Westberg 2007a: 369).

Candelariella subdeflexa was first reported from Switzerland by Lettau (1956) but remained overlooked until it was collected several times within the framework of the Red List project. The species was described in detail in Westberg (2007a) based on North American material. It is unusual, but not unique, for a Candelariella in having biatorine apothecia (Fig. 6). North American populations typically have a thallus composed of grey, shiny squamules. The material from Europe and North Africa, seen during this study has an inconspicuous grey thallus that is indistinct, granular or composed of scattered, grey, narrow and incised squamules. This is a rare species but easily overlooked as the apothecia are small, mostly c. 0.2–0.4 mm wide. It is known in Europe from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The distribution within Switzerland is distinctly southern.

Bern: Unterseen, Unteres Stadtfeld, alt. 560 m, 2 April 1997, Keller (G 00298366); Graubünden: Brusio, Scala, alt. 920 m, 30 Aug 1995, Groner (G 00298411); Luzern: Escholzmatt, Irmibodenweidli, alt. 1120 m, 29 July 1996, Frei (G 00298365); Tessin: Malvaglia, Cregua, alt. 1233 m, 26 Sept 1995, Keller (G 00298368); Valais: Ausserbinn, Weng, alt 1270 m, 17 Sept 1996, Frei (G 00298366); Eggenberg, alt. 900 m, 30 Sept 1997, Frei (G 00298412); Ried-Brig, Schallberg, alt. 1400 m, 1 Sept 1998, Frei (G 00298367); Viège, alt. 650 m, 22 Sept 1997, Frei (G 00298364).

HUNGARY, Bács-Kiskun Prov.: Kecskemét area, Fülöphaza (20 km W of Kecskemét), alt. c. 150 m. 1987, G. Thor 7015 (S!, isotypes STU, VBI).

Candelariella viae-lacteae is characterized by its grey thallus, uniformly composed of sphaerical granules (Thor and Wirth 1990). Previous collections of this species from Switzerland have turned out to belong to other species, mostly Candelariella antennaria, another species with a grey thallus. However, a recent find of Candelariella viae-lacteae was made on mosses on a stem base of Fraxinus excelsior.

Solothurn: Messen, alt. 500 m., 15 June 1998, Zimmermann (herb. E. Zimmerman).

Lecanora xanthostigmoides Müll.Arg., Flora65: 484. 1882.

AUSTRALIA. New South Wales: Parramatta, W. Woolls (G! [G00290997], designated by Rogers 1982: 32).

New to Europe. This species is morphologically identical to Candelariella efflorescens and can only be separated when fertile on account of its 8-spored asci compared to the c. 30-spored asci in Candelariella efflorescens (Lendemer and Westberg 2010). The majority of the small, sorediate specimens in Candelariella are sterile and the distribution and frequency of the two species is thus poorly known. We found three fertile specimens with 8-spored asci which correspond well in all characters to Candelariella xanthostigmoides. These specimens were mostly collected in humid places on Salix sp., Betula sp. and Alnus sp. The two specimens collected in the framework of the Red List project were identified as Candelariella reflexa (Nyl.) Lettau, another 8-spored, sorediate species. The latter species is however morphologically distinct also when sterile (see Lendemer and Westberg 2010). Earlier, the name Candelariella sorediosa Poelt & Reddi had been used occasionally (e.g., Poelt and Vězda 1977) for similar specimens from Europe. We prefer to use the older name Candelariella xanthostigmoides as the distinction between these two species is not clear and the type of Candelariella sorediosa is poor (see also Lendemer and Westberg 2010).

Basel-Land: Arisdorf, alt. 435 m, 4 Aug 1998, Frei (G 00057814); Jura: Le Noirmont, alt. 985 m, 8. Aug 1996, Groner (G 00057813); Schwytz, Rothenturm-Sattel, alt. 910-960 m, 30 Sept 1969, Frey (G 00122119).