Morphological characters and secondary metabolites of L. bergensis (atranorin and fatty acids of the rangiformic acid group) correspond to those of L. borealis. The key distinguishing feature, however, is the presence of anthraquinones, which in L. bergensis are produced in the hypothalline hyphae. The lower part of the thallus towards the centre is therefore coloured ochre to reddish brown. Anthraquinones can be demonstrated by TLC only in strongly pigmented specimens and when a larger amount of material is used.
The species was described from Norway and is so far known in Europe only from a few localities in the western part of the continent. From the Czech Republic, it has so far been reported from two sites in Prague (Motol and Kunratice), but it is likely to be more widespread. Foreign records mostly come from mossy siliceous rocks. Czech specimens from Motol show considerable ecological and morphological variability – lobate forms occur mainly on vertical rock surfaces, whereas terricolous or epixylic specimens are more compact and lack lobes.
Sequencing data from the Motol specimens (ITS, mtSSU) correspond to samples from the Křivoklát region published as L. borealis, in which anthraquinones were not detected. Molecular analyses indicate that L. bergensis represents a closely related but distinct species within the L. borealis complex (Lindblom et al. 2023). It is not yet clear whether a single taxon with variable anthraquinone production occurs in the Czech Republic, or several distinct taxa. For the time being, specimens with a distinct presence of anthraquinones are referred to as L. bergensis.
Literature: Tønsberg T. (2002): Notes on non-corticolous Lepraria s. lat. in Norway. – Graphis Scripta 13: 45–51. Lindblom L., Blom H. H. & Arup U. (2023): Additions to the lichen flora of the Gaupne area – a species hot-spot in Norway. – Graphis Scripta 35: 75–80. Malíček J. & Palice Z. (2025): Lišejníky přírodní památky Kalvárie v Motole v Praze. – Bryonora 75: 41–70.
taxonomic classification:Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Lecanorales → Stereocaulaceae → Lepraria
All records: 10, confirmed 10. One click on a selected square displays particular record(s), including their source(s).