The function of taxonomic referees is to assist members of the British Lichen Society in the identification of lichens. The Society has established a new, two-tier system involving [Regional and Specialist Referees].
All lichens collected in the British Isles should in the first instance be sent to the appropriate Regional Referee. No more than 6 specimens should be sent at any one time without obtaining prior approval.
Specimens submitted should be adequate in size (or at least in reasonable condition) and well-packeted including full documentation such as:- country, county or vice-county, borough or parish, precise locality and grid reference, altitude, date, habitat and ecology, notes, name of collector and collecting number. Identification should be attempted before sending material to a referee and details of anatomical investigations and chemical reactions included where appropriate. Return postage should always be included.
Specialist Referees are those referees who have agreed to examine problematical material belonging either to particular lichen groups or occurring in particular habitats. On no account should material be sent direct to a Specialist Referee without obtaining prior approval.
Specimens may be borrowed by post from the Curator; return postage should be enclosed.
Extreme moderation in collecting specimens is essential. The absolute minimum material should be taken and then only for research and essential identification - not for swelling personal herbaria. Remember that even though lichens do not have roots the law treats then as if they do. Landowners may prosecute you if you 'uproot' lichens on their land without permission. A few lichen species are specially protected by law and collecting them is an offence. Trees and rocks must not be left in a scarred state resulting in bad publicity for lichenologists.
Caution is advised when investigating lichens on asbestos cement because exposure to asbestos dust can prove fatal.
Any matters of interest or of concern should be referred to the Conservation Officer for discussion, if necessary by the Conservation Committee.
The distribution of lichens in the British Isles is being mapped by 10 km grid squares. It aims to define the present-day distribution of British lichens and to provide a base-line against which future change can be assessed. Lichen records should be sent to the Mapping Recorder who will supply record cards and details.
See Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens (BLS 2001) for techniques.
Take care when colour testing to prevent discoloration of the specimen. Use a minute quantity of chemical applied with a glass rod tip or capillary tube and observe colour changes with a lens. Note the results on a label to avoid repetition.
Most lichenologists use domestic bleach, e.g. Parazone, as their source of sodium/calcium hypochlorite for the 'C' spot test. A number of bleaches now contain other substances. These, no doubt, improve their efficiency for domestic use but cause a positive result when used for a spot test giving a KC+ orange result. Before use in the field, it is suggested that you test any bleach on the medulla of Parmelia sulcata or P. saxatilis for this reaction. If you do not get a C- result use another brand of bleach. Many of the cheaper supermarket brands seem to be the best.
Paraphenylenediamine (Pd) can be obtained from some chemists. Make a solution in alcohol with only one small crystal and apply a tiny drop to the specimen with the wooden end of a match. It is most safely used as Steiner's Stable Pd solution: 1 g paraphenylenediamine, 10 g sodium sulphite, 5 ml detergent, 100 ml water. Needs to be used with care, the user wearing disposable plastic or rubber gloves, as it will discolour paper, herbarium packets, clothing, etc. and is a carcinogen that can be absorbed through skin. Remake at 3-4 month intervals. Throw the tested part away and thoroughly wash anything that has been in contact with the solution after discarding the residue carefully down a drain. Note colour changes.
Acetone should be used for the extraction of lichen substances for microcrystal tests and thin-layer chromatography. (N.B. acetone, like ether, is extremely flammable and smoking or naked flames must not be allowed anywhere in the vicinity of its use). Benzene should never be used, because exposure can result in aplastic anaemia or leukaemia. TLC must be carried out in a fume-cupboard. The eyes must be protected by special goggles or perspex when using UV light.
Six parts of The Lichenologist are published annually. Manuscripts should be sent to the Senior Editor and should conform to the requirements listed on the inside of the back cover of the journal. Back numbers are obtainable from Academic Press, 24 Oval Road, London NW1 7DX; members should state the number of years that they have been a member of the Society.
Two numbers of the Bulletin are issued each year. News items, keys, information, observations on species, etc., would be welcomed by the Bulletin Editor.
Books and reprints may be borrowed by post from the Society's library on application to the Acting Librarian (The Secretary), but costs of postage must be met.
Members wishing to consult specialist lichenological literature are invited to visit the libraries of the Natural History Museum by appointment (tel. 0207 938 9191; email: library@nhm.ac.uk).
