1 Topic by wellyboot

  • wellyboot
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Topic: Lichen varieties - a problem

When entering lichen records, if a species has varieties, these are given as the only options. For example, if I am entering a record of a bryophyte such as Bryum capillare, I can enter it as the binomial, or as var. capillare or var. rufifolium. However, if I enter a lichen record such as Pseudevernia furfuracea, I can only enter it as either var. ceratea of var. furfuracea, therefore if the original recorder only recorded it as P. furfuracea it is not always possible to decide which variety to assign it to.

Anyone know of a way round this?

2 Reply by ChrisR

  • ChrisR
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Re: Lichen varieties - a problem

This one sounds like a Recorder issue, rather than a Species Dictionary problem, but I will watch the thread in case Mike or the others point out a data issue :)

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

3 Reply by Janet Simkin

  • Janet Simkin
  • Janet Simkin
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Re: Lichen varieties - a problem

If you use the British Isles List of Lichens and Lichenicolous fungi you shouldn't have a problem, the varieties and subspecies are held beneath their species and the species beneath their genera as they should be and you can input against any level.

However, the species you mention has got into a mess in the current version of the dictionary. This will be sorted out when it is updated (which we hope will be very soon - Chris?). In this case records of uncertain variety should be put against Pseudevernia furfuracea s. lat., the species aggregate, so that they will end up against the species when the dictionary upgrade is applied.

Hope that helps!

Janet

Janet Simkin
British Lichen Society

Janet Simkin's Website

4 Reply by wellyboot

  • wellyboot
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Re: Lichen varieties - a problem

Thanks Janet - I'd been using the British Mycological Society list. Problem sorted!