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New book -- Microlichens of the Pacific Northwest

  • 01 Aug 2017 7:29 PM
    Message # 5007249
    Bruce McCune (Administrator)

    Dear Northwest Lichenologists,


    I'm pleased to announce the publication of Microlichens of the Pacific Northwest: Volumes 1 and 2. (apologies for cross posting)

    For information on purchasing, go to the publisher's website, http://www.wildblueberrymedia.net

    (note: it is not available through amazon)


    Note that for overseas mailing you can save on shipping charges by pooling orders with others. Shipping is free within the U.S.

    The two volumes comprising Microlichens of the Pacific Northwest provide, for the first time in one place, comprehensive illustrated keys to the genera (Volume 1) and species (Volume 2) of microlichens from the Pacific Northwest of North America. Microlichens (crustose lichens and other lichen forms that often require a compound microscope for study) encompass a vast range of forms and contribute greatly to the biodiversity of the region and the world; their species richness is, however, often unrecognized. These volumes will greatly enhance knowledge and appreciation of these fascinating organisms, as they provide a synthesis of what is currently known about their biodiversity, distribution, and abundance in the Pacific Northwest.


    Volume 1, Key to the Genera (215 pages), provides a general introduction to microlichens, generously illustrated keys to the genera, a glossary, and an index. It includes 623 illustrations (mostly color photographs and a few black-and-white line drawings) and encompasses 253 genera. Volume 2, Key to the Species (755 pages), provides keys to 1424 species from the Pacific Northwest region that have main entries and 297 additional species with secondary treatments that have been reported from neighboring regions with possible occurrences in the Pacific Northwest, for a total of 1721 species. Brief descriptions of each species are embedded in the keys. Volume 2 includes 479 illustrations (line drawings and b/w photos).

    While the geographic area covered by the books is the watershed-based boundary of the Pacific Northwestern United States (south of the US-Canadian border, inland to western Montana and northwestern Wyoming, and dipping into northwestern California), the treatments will also be useful in a much broader area of the western U.S. and Canada, as well as the rest of the Northern Hemisphere.


    The books are intended largely for use by serious amateurs or professional lichenologists. A compound microscope will be necessary to identify many of the species, although some genera – and even species – can be identified without using a compound microscope. I invite you to “dig in” – advance your appreciation of microlichen diversity. Enjoy!

  • 07 Oct 2017 10:32 AM
    Reply # 5301456 on 5007249

    This new, two volume set, is phenominal.  The amount of time and effort that went into this project is more than I ever expected in assisting in the identification of microlichens.  It is well worth the price.

  • 16 Oct 2017 4:10 PM
    Reply # 5317596 on 5007249

    I second Garry.!


    Besides being useful, the books are really interesting and enjoyable to go through.


    Having 2 separate volumes, one for key to genera plus glossary, and another for keys to and information about species is very handy for using both at once.


    Also like having good photos that aren’t too small.


    And particularly like “ID tips”, including things like:


    1 Practical advice which really helps identification - e.g. using IKI before K on Rhizocarpon, or that morphology doesn’t separate Placopsis species well in the northwest.


    2 Interesting information - e.g. a life cycle of months (possibly) for Thrombium epigaem, and that Bruceomyces has been found so far “on old beaver scars on conifers”.


    3 Amusing remarks - e.g. referring to the “leprariophobe (your typical lichenologist)”, and Knudsen’s 15 minute rule (practical as well).


    4 “Must know” species that I don’t know compel me to keep my eyes open, etc.

    Last modified: 16 Oct 2017 4:12 PM | Richard Droker

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