Crustose lichens are common and form an important part of the diversity in tropical ecosystems. Despite their importance, the taxonomy of these lichens is poorly known. A group of lichenized fungi that is common in the tropics is the Thelotremataceae or thelotremoid Graphidaceae, but their identification has remained difficult due to the absence of identification keys for most parts of the tropics.
To enhance knowledge of the thelotremoid Graphidaceae a ‘Thelotremataceae Workshop, 2008’ was held at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok (Thailand) with field trips to Khao Yai National Park in March, 2008. The workshop was financially supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Biodiversity Research and Training program (BRT) and the Ramkhamhaeng University (R.U.). It was dedicated to honour the late Natsurang Homchantara, who studied the taxonomy of Thelotremataceae in Thailand for her Ph. D. thesis (see following tribute). The workshop included presentations by colleagues from USA, Germany, Argentina, India, Korea and Thailand and was attended by approximately 50 participants from a total of eight countries. The workshop was very successful and we are pleased to publish eight manuscripts in this issue of The Lichenologist, including two additional contributions by colleagues who were unable to attend the workshop. We wish to thank all the contributors for their valuable efforts that will hopefully help to boost our knowledge of tropical lichens. Finally, we would like to thank the Senior Editor, Peter Crittenden, for providing an opportunity to have this issue of The Lichenologist devoted to the thelotremoid Graphidaceae.
