Abstract Detail

Bryology and Lichenology

Young, Blair [1], Waters, Dennis [2], Struwe, Lena [3].

Non-Target Lichen & Bryophyte Incidence Patterns and Diversity on Mid-Atlantic Digitized Woody Angiosperm Herbarium Specimens.

Researchers have historically used herbaria as sources of novel data, often to a greater degree than the original collectors intended. From phenological studies to DNA sequencing, herbarium specimens continue to be ample substrates from which to extract useful information. However, study of non-target samples associated with herbarium specimens has been restricted to soil studies, and more recently pathogen and invertebrate studies. This area of research has as of yet been lacking an appraisal of bryophyte and lichen taxa associated with herbarium specimens. Here, a cataloging effort for these associated taxa was undertaken to understand incidence patterns and taxonomic diversity of non-target specimens and their hosts. Herbarium specimens were sourced from Chrysler Herbarium, and only digitized woody angiosperm specimens from NJ were assessed for non-target incidence. Of these specimens approximately 4% were hosts to non-target taxa, with 2.5% of specimens harboring lichens belonging to the Lecanoraceae, Cladoniaceae, and Physciaceae, 1% harboring mosses belonging to the Sphagnaceae and Aulocomniaceae, and 0.5% harboring liverworts belonging to the Cephaloziaceae. The lichens occurred on 12 species from every angiosperm family tested with the exception of Juglandaceae, while bryophytes occurred only on 2 species, with one incidence on Alnus serrulata, and all other bryophyte incidences on Vaccinium macrocarpon. The lack of epiphytic bryophyte taxa on tree species is a result of collection bias of newer growth, where desiccation prevents their establishment. A better understanding of non-target taxa incidence patterns in herbaria requires more studies. Information from these studies will begin to elucidate the extent of non-target lichen and bryophyte taxa in herbaria and their usefulness in tandem with the associated data of their hosts.

1 - Rutgers University, Ecology, Evolution, & Natural Sciences, 62 Delavan Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
2 - Rutgers University, Ecology, Evolution, & Natural Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
3 - Rutgers University, Ecology, Evolution, & Natural Sciences, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States

Keywords:
lichen
Bryophyte
herbaria
non-target
mid-atlantic.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: BL2007
Abstract ID:668
Candidate for Awards:None