Flora of New Zealand Series

Type : Nephroma arcticum (L.) Torss. [=Lichen arcticus L.]

Description : Flora (1985: 312).

Nephroma is a genus of 35 species (Kirk et al. 2001) in the family Nephromataceae (Eriksson et al. 2004; Pennycook & Galloway 2004; Eriksson 2005), best developed in temperate regions of both Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Molecular studies do not indicate a close relationship between Nephroma and Peltigera (Eriksson & Strand 1995). One important difference between Nephroma and Peltigera is the IKI− reaction of the asci in Nephroma and the IKI+ blue reaction in a large apical ring in Peltigera. Both genera have large marginal apothecia, but in Peltigera these are located on the upper side of the thallus, while in Nephroma they are on the lower surface. New Zealand taxa were discussed by Murray (1960c) and Galloway (1985a). Subsequent studies on the European and Macaronesian populations (James & White 1987; Burgaz & Martínez 1999) and on cool temperate Southern Hemisphere species (White & James 1988) contain much useful data on chemistry, distribution and taxonomy. Recent molecular studies on the genus show that species of Nephroma form a monophyletic group (Eriksson & Strand 1995; Goffinet & Bayer 1997; Lohtander et al. 2002; Thomas et al. 2002). Photobiont diversity in Nephroma is discussed by Lohtander et al. (2003). Seven taxa are known from New Zealand.