Tips in Identifying lichens and collecting accurate information

Hey all,

I have just recently got back into the groove of lichens and just thought I would share some tips on identifying lichens so we can move forward to assure our data is good quality and that the other folks with more experience can assist with your IDs.

Like some species of vascular plants (e.g. grasses, sedges etc.), identification of a photo alone is not possible and precise measurements and sometimes microscopy is needed to identify minute features to determine the species ID. For lichens, this is also true (even more so). Depending on the species, chemical spot tests and/or microscopy are necessary to be certain on the ID of your specimen.

I know that within this group we have observers with varying levels of skills, knowledge and resources and we may not have the ability to confidently ID a species. That being said, if you are uncertain of your specimen don't hesitate to leave the identification to genus or an even broader taxa. Not knowing is part of science and I rather we are conservative than very loosely identifying species.

I will also mention that if I see that you have identified a species which cannot be confidently ID'd without microscopy and/or spot tests, and I see you have not done that, I will decline your ID and rename it to a suitable taxa. However, in the comments, I can let you know what I think it is based off of location, habitat and morphological features but we shouldn't name it to species level and have it as a record unless we do the necessary steps. I just want to make sure that our data does not get sloppy.

Find below some tips on what to photo when you have questions on identifications:

• Photo of the upper side of the lichen, take photos of apothecia, soredia, isidia (if present) and thallus;

• Photo of the underside, are there rhizines? Is it smooth? Tomentosed?
  -Photo of habitat. What's the substrate? Is it found in a wetland?

The list can go on but I'll leave it at that. Happy lichenizing!

Posted on January 29, 2019 02:27 AM by jrgallop