Candelaria pacifica M.Westb. & Arup. Bibl. Lich. 106: 352. 2011.

Westberg, Martin & Clerc, Philippe, 2012, Five species of Candelaria and Candelariella (Ascomycota, Candelariales) new to Switzerland, MycoKeys 3, pp. 1-12 : 2

Candelaria pacifica M.Westb. & Arup. Bibl. Lich. 106: 352. 2011.

Holotype.

U.S.A. California: San Luis Obispo Co., Along Shell Creek Rd 0.3 miles N of junction to State Route 58. 35°28'N, 120°20'W. Alt. c. 400 m. 26 July 1998, M. Westberg 953 (LD!, isotype S!).

New to Switzerland. This species was recently formally described and reported from Europe as well as North and South America ( Westberg and Arup 2011). Compared to Candelaria concolor (Dicks.) Stein, Candelaria pacifica is characterized by an arachnoid appearance of the lower surface of the lobes due to the lack of a cortex (see also photographs in Bomble 2012). It also has 8-spored asci (polyspored in Candelaria concolor ) but it is rarely fertile in Europe. Candelaria pacifica is widespread in Europe and common at least in the northwestern parts, e.g., in the southern half of Scandinavia ( Westberg and Arup 2010) but its frequency and ecology is not well known outside Scandinavia. In Switzerland it is apparently much less common than Candelaria concolor and we have so far only seen a few specimens from Graubünden, Jura and Valais. Candelaria concolor on the other hand is common in Switzerland and also noticeably spreading, possibly due to nitrogen pollution.

Specimens examined.

Graubünden: Scuol, alt. 1990 m, 22 Sept 1998, Roth (G 00298405); Zernez, alt. 1550 m. 20 June 1997, Vust (G 00298079); Jura: Le Noirmont, Le Creux-des-Biches, alt. 1020 m., 8 Aug 1996, Groner (G 00298072); Valais: Zeneggen, Eich, 1010-1030 m,, 19 Nov 2010, Clerc (G 00057817).