What Shall we do with the Blue-Green Counterparts?

Abstract

Lichens are troublesome organisms for taxonomists because of their special ‘ double nature ’ i.e. being composed (normally) of two partners. Only recently has it been understood properly that the same fungus can take different photosynthetic partners and develop into quite different-looking organisms, for example Lobaria amplissima and Dendriscocaulon umhausense. The taxonomic problem is to show that two totally different-looking lichens in fact contain the same fungus. This is possible to demonstrate when mixed stands are available, but is now best done with molecular methods. Since the international code of nomenclature rules that the name of a lichen species is the name of the fungus, two different organisms with the same fungus must under the Code carry the same name, which is most impractical. To remove this unintentional complication, one must either make an exception in the Code for these cases, or establish an informal system to take care of them. The latter seems to be preferable.