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Freshwater Flora of Central Europe: LichensAuthor(s): Reviewed by Cécile GueidanSource: The Bryologist, 113(1):222-223. 2010.Published By: The American Bryological and Lichenological Society, Inc.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-113.1.222URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1639/0007-2745-113.1.222

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Freshwater Flora of Central Europe: Lichens

Reviewed by

CECILE GUEIDAN

CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, P.O. Box 85167, 3508 AD Utrecht,

Netherlands

e-mail: c.gueidan@cbs.knaw.nl

Thus, Holger & Schultz, Matthias. 2009. Sußwasserflora von Mitteleuropa, Bd. 21/1: Fungi,

1. Teil: Lichens. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg, 223. , . [ISBN 13:

978-3827415943]. Price approx. US$90/J63 + shipping and postage.

¤ ¤ ¤

This work constitutes the 21st volume of a series of

24 books entitled ‘‘Sußwasserflora von Mitteleur-

opa’’, founded by A. Pascher, and of which the first

volume was published in the mid-eighties. These

volumes aim to provide identification keys for all

plant and fungal groups occurring in freshwater

habitats in Central Europe. The 21st volume

addresses freshwater fungi, and the first part of this

volume, edited by B. Budel, G. Gartner, L. Krienitz,

H.-R. Preisig and M. Schagerl, focuses on lichens.

This volume is published in English. The authors, Dr.

Holger Thus and Dr. Matthias Schultz, are experi-

enced lichenologists with an excellent knowledge of

the freshwater flora, as their groups of interest

comprise many aquatic species. Dr. Thus is partic-

ularly devoted to the study of the family Verrucar-

iaceae, and Dr. Schultz to the study of the family

Lichinaceae.

The book includes an interesting introduction,

which first defines both the species and geographic

222 THE BRYOLOGIST 113(1): 2010

areas investigated in this work. Then, a section

provides detailed information on the ecology of these

freshwater lichen species. Several parameters are

discussed, such as substrate requirements, light

demands, and nutrient supply. Also of interest is the

discussion concerning the interactions of these

freshwater lichens with other organisms, and the

section on photobionts, which is particularly signif-

icant for the aquatic species of Verrucariaceae.

Because taxonomic concepts are crucial for these

quite variable aquatic species, the authors also

appropriately mentioned which taxonomic systems

they decided to follow in this work. The last part of

the introduction gives useful, technical advice on

how to prepare and store material and slides, and

which protocols were used for photography. The

introduction is followed by a glossary, which

precisely defines the various terms used in the

identification keys. Some figures are also provided to

illustrate the main morphological characters of the

reproductive structures.

The identification keys start with a key to the

lichen genera. All genera with freshwater members

are included, together with a few terrestrial species,

which are not further considered. The genera are

then treated separately in alphabetical order. Each

generic treatment begins with a list of important

references and a key to the species of the genus. The

aquatic species are fully detailed, with a description

of their morphology, ecology, distribution, together

with a discussion on similar species. When necessary,

useful notes have also been included to further

discuss taxonomic concepts, mechanical hybrids or

morphological variants. Finally, when appropriate, a

list of uncertain or doubtful species in each genus is

also provided. Most species are illustrated by high-

quality black-and-white photographs ,showing either

the general habit of the thallus, or a close-up of an

important character.

The authors’ expertise in lichen photobionts led

them to a wise decision to not use the identity of the

algal partner (except for the easy distinction between

cyanobacteria and eukaryotic alga) as the first

couplet of their keys. Indeed, photobionts are often

difficult to characterize—not only in old specimens,

but also in fresh material. The resulting keys are

convenient to use, as this problem is avoided. I tried

both the generic key and the keys to the species with

different specimens of aquatic Verrucariaceae, and

was pleased to be able to confirm their names.

Aquatic taxa of this family have always been

problematic to identify, mostly due to their mor-

phological variability. Previous keys were often

inconvenient to use, and gave confusing or conflict-

ing results. With this new set of keys, which are based

on solid knowledge of the morphology and ecology

of freshwater lichen flora, it is now possible to

identify problematic aquatic species.

This book constitutes a valuable contribution to

the study of freshwater lichen flora. It rests on the

experience and in-depth work of the authors, and

only a few negative comments can be made. Some

readers might regret that most species are illustrated

only with black-and-white pictures. However, these

illustrations help to keep the cost of this book

relatively low. Moreover, color plates are also

available for some species at the end of the book.

Another minor criticism concerns the lack of detailed

annotations on the figures showing the main

morphological characters of the reproductive struc-

tures. This will not be a problem for experienced

lichenologists, but other readers might not find these

illustrations so helpful.

Despite these minor criticisms, this book

constitutes a very important addition to the knowl-

edge of the lichen freshwater flora in Central Europe,

both in terms of taxonomy and ecology. It will be of

great help not only to people working on the

systematics of families or genera with many aquatic

species, but also to any lichenologists interested in

floristics and ecology. Moreover, it will also be an

important tool for ecologists studying aquatic

habitats. Although this book focuses on lichens from

Central Europe, it will also constitute an excellent

basis for the study of freshwater species in other parts

of the world. In conclusion, to everyone who wants

to correctly name problematic freshwater lichen

specimens, I strongly recommend this book.

Reviews 223