Lichenicolous fungi on Thamnolia in the Alps

The aim of this study was to get a comprehensive overview of lichenicolous fungi on Thamnolia vermicularis in the European Alps. In all we observed 23 species, which is the same number of species known from the Arctic biome. In both areas together, 31 species are known so far, with 17 taxa in common (c. 55%). New to science are Polycoccum alpinum and Sclemccoccum zhurbenkoi. Capronia thamnoliae, Cercidospora thamnoliicola, Phaeospora arctica, Sphaerellothecium taimyricum, S. thamnoliae, Sphaeropeziza intermedia, S. santessonii, S. thamnoliae and Taeniolella sp. are reported as new to the Alps. New records to Switzerland are Merismatium thamnoliicola, Polycoccum vermicularium and Stigmidium frigidum. New to Austria are: Cercidospora thamnoliae, Corticium silviae ans Merismatium thamnoliicola. New to Italy are: Corticium silviae, Polycoccum vermicularium and Stigmidium frigidum.