Lecanora pseudogangaleoides spec. nov. is a saxicolous lichen in southeastern Australia. It fits anatomically into the L. subfusca group (=Lecanora s.str.), but differs from most previous concepts of that group in containing usnic acid in addition to atranorin. The presence of usnic acid is now considered to be of less importance in that group, and species containing usnic acid may well belong to Lecanora s.str. Within L. pseudogangaleoides chemical variation with respect to the presence of xanthones was observed and two subspecies are distinguished. Lecanora pseudogangaleoides s.str. lacks xanthones, whereas L. pseudogangaleoides subsp. verdonii subsp. nov. contains the arthothelin chemosyndrome in addition to the normal occurrence of the psoromic acid chemosyndrome. A key orthe distinction of L. pseudogangaleoides and similar species is included.

Phlyctis argena is lichenized with Dictyochloropsis splendida and not with D. reticulata, as thought formerly. This results from in-situ investigation of over 150 lichen thalli and more than 70 cultures of the phycobiont. Material studied from a wide range of geographical locations indicates that specificity of the association in this case is highly probable. Compared to the free–living state, the alga as a lichen partner undergoes distinct changes. Differentiation of strains of D. splendida with respect to morphology and development was not observed.

The medullary structure of 24 Umbilicariaceae species was studied by light microscopy. The objective was to investigate the variability of the medulla of these lichens and to assess the possible implications for thallus ecophysiology and the taxonomic relevance of the anatomy of this layer. Several methods of embedding, sectioning and staining together with the comparison of radial with transverse sections showed important differences in the degree of cohesion of hyphae and their spatial orientation within the medulla. Other important characteristics were the existence of more than one structurally homogeneous layer within the medulla, the frequency of hyphal branching, the relative thickness of the cell wall and lumen and the abundance of gelatinous matter in the intercellular spaces. The medullae studied were grouped into seven main types. The constancy of the types of medulla for certain groups of species makes it a useful secondary character to be considered in the taxonomy of the Umbilicariaceae. The important role of the structure of the medulla in the water relations of the Umbilicariaceae is discussed and a general relationship between medulla type and hydration strategy is suggested

Growth of the mycobiont of Ramalina siliquosa and the secondary metabolites subsequently produced under various osmotic culture conditions were examined. The secondary metabolite content and the growth rate changed greatly when different quantities of sucrose were added to the culture medium. Salazinic acid was found only in mycobionts cultured on a medium with 10 or 20% sucrose, the mycobiont growth rate being higher than on conventional medium. Similarly, in Lobaria discolor, gyrophoric acid was found only in mycobionts cultured on a medium with 10% sucrose.

A simple DNA extraction method is described, applicable to many different kinds of lichens. The method involves the use of the detergents DTAB and CTAB and yields DNA that can be directly amplified with the polymerase chain reaction or digested with restriction enzymes

The influence of acute gamma radiation on four physiological characteristics of lichens was investigated. Membrane permeability in irradiated thalli of Cladonia arbuscula, Cetraria islandica and Hypogymnia physodes increased considerably compared to controls. The nitrogen content in Peltigera aphthosa appeared to be stable to acute gamma radiation. Up to 1000 Gy there was no essential decrease in respiration intensity in H. physodes and P. aphthosa or of peroxidase activity in P. aphthosa..