New Italian Flora Records Reveal Hidden Alpine Biodiversity

A comprehensive new study published in the journal Italian Botanist has documented a significant number of new records for algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens across the Italian peninsula. The research, titled Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 18, presents detailed floristic data that expands the known distribution of numerous species within various administrative regions. This contribution serves as a vital update to the national flora, highlighting both the persistence of rare species and the discovery of organisms in previously unrecorded habitats. The findings underscore the ongoing importance of systematic fieldwork in understanding the complex biodiversity of Italy’s diverse landscapes, from the high alpine peaks to the coastal wetlands.

The algal section of the report introduces new records for the genera Chara and Tolypella. Specifically, Chara braunii was identified in the Lazio region, marking its first confirmed presence in this area. This species, which lacks a cortex and exhibits wide intraspecific variability, has previously been considered rare in Italy. The discovery in a permanent pond near Rome adds to the known distribution of this charophyte, which is also found in northern regions such as Piemonte and Lombardia. Additionally, Tolypella intricata was recorded in Basilicata, a species previously unknown in southern Italy. The dense aquatic vegetation in the pond where it was found was dominated by this species, indicating a thriving population in a small pond with a maximum depth of 0.7 meters.

Among the bryophytes, the study confirms the presence of Pogonatum nanum in Abruzzo, a European temperate species typically found on acidic soils. The new sites were located in beech forests characterized by high atmospheric humidity, where the moss grew among the surface roots of trees. Another significant finding is the confirmation of Pseudephemerum nitidum in Toscana, a species that had not been recorded in the region for more than 140 years. This small gregarious moss was found on quartz-rich sediments along stream edges, a habitat that supports a variety of other bryophyte species. The re-discovery of P. nitidum is particularly noteworthy given its current status as Near Threatened in Italy, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of such vulnerable populations.

The fungal records in the study provide new insights into the distribution of several genera, including Arrhenia, Arthonia, and Hebeloma. Arrhenia obscurata, a greyish-brown basidiomata, was found in Calabria, a region where it had not been previously detected. The specimen was collected among mosses along a stony path, with spores measuring 8–10 × 5–7 µm. In the alpine regions, Arthonia molendoi was recorded in Lombardia and Piemonte, growing on the thallus of other lichens such as Rusavskia elegans. This species is restricted to specific teloschistalean lichens and has a wide distribution across continents. The discovery of Arthonia parietinaria in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige further expands the known range of this conspicuous species, which is fairly common in Europe but previously under-reported in the Italian Alps.

Further fungal discoveries include Buchwaldoboletus sphaerocephalus in Calabria, a species that prefers dry Mediterranean forests and appears on pine stumps. The fungus is characterized by its yellow coloration and rapid blue bruising reaction, making it distinct in the field. Hebeloma populinum was also recorded in Calabria, found in a riparian wood among the litter of poplar trees. The basidiomata were described as having smooth, viscid pilei and pale, dense gills. In Liguria, Inocybe albomarginata was identified, with molecular analysis confirming the morphological identification. This species, previously known only from northern and central Italy, adds to the understanding of the fungal diversity in the Ligurian region. The study also notes the presence of Trechispora fastidiosa in Calabria, a species with a habitus similar to other Thelephora species but distinguishable by its microscopic characters.

The lichen records reveal a rich diversity of species across various habitats, from alpine cliffs to coastal areas. Aspicilia grisea was recorded in Val d’Aosta and Piemonte, growing on inclined rock faces of gneissic boulders. This sorediate species is widely distributed in the Alps but appears to be under-collected in many areas. Bellemerea alpina, an arctic-alpine crustose lichen, was found in Veneto on siliceous volcanic rock, marking its first confirmed presence in the region. The discovery of Cladonia ciliata in Lazio is a notable exclusion, as recent surveys have confirmed the disappearance of the species from a previously recorded site. This decline is attributed to the neglect of the archaeological area and the encroachment of Mediterranean macchia, which has negatively impacted lichen populations.

Other lichen records include Hypotrachyna sinuosa in Piemonte, a rare mild-temperate species found on the bark of birch trees. The species is declining throughout Italy and is considered almost extinct in many areas, making this confirmation particularly important. Maronea constans, a rare lichen found on smooth bark, was recorded in Piemonte, where numerous thalli were observed in a small area. This species is included in the Italian Red List as Critically Endangered, and its presence in an alluvial alder grove near the Swiss border highlights the importance of preserving such habitats. Parvoplaca tiroliensis was recorded in Val d’Aosta and Liguria, a circumpolar arctic-alpine species that appears to be fairly common over calcareous substrates in the Alps. The study also notes the presence of Polyozosia reuteri in Piemonte, a Palearctic species with a narrow ecological niche on limestone cliffs.

The discovery of Schismatomma umbrinum in Calabria marks its first record for Italy, expanding the known distribution of this species, which is primarily found in western Europe. The lichen grows on acidic rocks beneath overhangs, where it remains shaded from direct sunlight. Its almost constant sterility suggests that it may be underreported or overlooked in other areas. Solenopsora liparina was recorded in Emilia-Romagna, a saxicolous species that grows on ultramafic rocks with very low silica content. This species is known from scattered localities in Europe, and its presence in the Monte Prinzera Nature Reserve adds to the understanding of its distribution in Italy. Trapelia glebulosa was found in Val d’Aosta, a species that is common throughout the Alps but had not been previously reported in this region. The study also includes a record of Zwackhia viridis in Piemonte, a crustose lichen characterized by a thin thallus with numerous lirellae.

These new records collectively demonstrate the dynamic nature of Italy’s flora and the importance of continued botanical surveys. The study highlights the interplay between habitat characteristics and species distribution, with many new records found in specific microhabitats such as alpine cliffs, riparian woods, and acidic soils. The findings also emphasize the need for conservation efforts, particularly for species that are declining or considered threatened. By documenting these new records, the research provides a valuable resource for future studies and conservation planning, ensuring that the biodiversity of Italy is accurately represented and protected. The detailed descriptions and molecular confirmations in the study enhance the reliability of the data, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the Italian flora.

Subject of Research: Floristic updates and new species records for Italian algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens

Article Title: Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 18

Article References: Ravera, S., Vizzini, A., Puglisi, M., Totti, C., Azzella, M. M., Battaglini, A., Blaise, P., Boccardo, F., Bonini, I., Cancellieri, L., Clerc, P., De Giuseppe, A. B., Dovana, F., Fačkovcová, Z., Filibeck, G., Filippelli, F., Gheza, G., Hafellner, J., Isocrono, D., … Tretiach, M. (2024). Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 18. Italian Botanist, 18, 59-73. https://doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.18.138463

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.3897/italianbotanist.18.138463

Keywords: Italian flora, bryophytes, lichens, fungi, algae, biodiversity, botany, conservation, alpine ecology, species distribution, Notulae, Italian