Sign in

Chris Cant

@chriscant.bsky.social
445 followers 452 following 306 posts

Lichens: the closer you look the more you'll see; zoom out and you'll read the habitat

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Chris Cant
Pete Martin @onloughrigg.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A very pleasurable, leisurely day with Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte Group on Dale Head in the sun: Schaereria cinereorufa (scaly squamules) and Lecidoma demissum (melting chocolate apothecia) found near the summit. #LichenGBI
0133
Reposted by Chris Cant
Caz Walker @northernhills.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Riggindale Beck, Haweswater, recently. Good #lichen on rock. Lots of jelly Collema glebulentum. Also Dermatocarpon miniatum (medulla I-, spores right size) and copious Ephebe hispidula (tiny bushy thallus, conidia v small). Some base-rich water/rock, too much bad algae=nitrogen pollution. #lichengbi
Periodically immersed rocks in upland beckCollema glebulentum on periodically immersed rock in beckCollema glebulentum with sward of chunky isidia (vegetative reproductive structures) in thallus centre
0124
Reposted by Chris Cant
Caz Walker @northernhills.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Beautiful #lichen recently on N Harris hills, #outerhebrides, growing on heather stems. Apothecia several per wart, poriform, shades of pink and cream on a filmy white thallus. This is Ochrolechia xanthostoma, found in acid montane habitats or nr sea level in N of Scotland #lichengbi
Ochrolechia xanthostoma lichen forming a film over heather stems in montane oceanic heathOchrolechia xanthostoma lichen forming a film over heather stems in montane oceanic heathApothecia of Ochrolechia xanthostoma lichenOchrolechia xanthostoma lichen habitat - view S from N Harris hills
062
Reposted by Chris Cant
Methods in Ecology and Evolution @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
🏅 Shortlisted for the 2025 Robert May prize! 🏅 In his blog post, @robboyd.bsky.social talks about his paper 'Using causal diagrams and superpopulation models to correct geographic biases in biodiversity monitoring data' 🌍 🧪 Read the blog and find the full article 👇 buff.ly/a7UROJJ
methodsblog.com
Robin Boyd: Using causal diagrams and superpopulation models to correct geographic biases in biodiversity monitoring data
Throughout March, we are featuring articles shortlisted for the 2025 Robert May Prize. The Robert May Prize is awarded by the British Ecological Society each year for the best paper in Methods in E…
01612
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Ooh - that does look like a match - thanks...
010
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Last year when there we saw a matchbox containing Epilichen scabrosus now Catolechia scabrosa. Both corks and matchboxes were probably to hand for some eminent lichenologists - but a matchbox is probably a better container...
E herbarium specimen - matchbox containing Epilichen scabrosus now Catolechia scabrosa
110
Reposted by Chris Cant
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) @ukceh.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
😍 Great to see some lichen love from April Windle of the @britishlichensociety.org.uk, plus our own Bill Bealey explaining how our LicheN app is used for measuring sensitivity to nitrogen pollution Featured on BBC News ⤵️ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 🧪
bbc.co.uk
How lichen hold the secret to a breath of fresh air
An app uses lichen to help monitor air quality in places like the New Forest.
1308
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Lichenomphalia umbellifera (now L ericetorum) as seen in the Cumbria, UK...
Lichenomphalia ericetorum mushrooms with lichen partner algae green blobs belowLichenomphalia ericetorum amidst other lichens and moss (by Caz)
080
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Good find. Strangely enough, I just looked at a specimen from Knapdale, west coast of Scotland, and it was Graphis inustuloides, Graphina anguina as was. #LichenGBI
Graphis inustuloides with lirellae emerging from thallus with thalline margin surrounded by crackingGraphis inustuloides multi-septate spores
081
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
France starts to dump Google Meet, Zoom and Teams for videoconferencing... www.theregister.com/2026/01/27/f...
theregister.com
France says au revoir to US videoconferencing software
: French govt says state-run service 'Visio' will be more secure. Now where have we heard that name before?
010
Reposted by Chris Cant
Pete Martin @onloughrigg.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Enjoyable Saturday in the woods near Tilberthwaite with Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte Group. Lots of good acid bark stuff including (everybody's) favourites Cetrelia olivetorum; Hypotrachyna laevigata and Bunodophoron melanocarpum. #LichenGBI
Cetrelia olivetorum var cetrarioides on an oak tree.Hypotrachyna laevigata3 folk on a steep hillside looking for lichensBunodophoron melanocarpum- the trumpets are fruiting bodies with a black spore mass. This is the only known population in the Windermere or Coniston catchments.
0379
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
From the NHS to our energy grid, we are too reliant on US tech. Sign the petition to stop Trump's kill switch and demand digital independence: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Stop the "Kill Switch": Demand the UK takes back control of our technology.
From the NHS to our energy grid, we are too reliant on US tech. Help us demand digital independence.
142
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
You'd best ask Richard Brinklow - see BLS officers page. So far we've rarely gone back to look at old confirmed specimens but occasionally will try to identify unknowns.
110
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
I saw the same photos probably and they don't look the same, nor does the one LF mentioned. Desperate stuff!
020
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Hear from Scot ex-diplomat Craig Murray independent journalist in Venezuela - seems very normal, with no shortages, no repression and good 4G! "Pretty well everything that I have read by Western journalists...turns out to be an absolute lie" www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/202... gofund.me/e98247481
craigmurray.org.uk
Being There - In Venezuela - Craig Murray
I have now been in Caracas for 48 hours and the contrast between what I have seen, and what I had read in the mainstream media, could not be more stark. I drove right through Caracas, from the airport...
132
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Some more lichens from Knapdale today: Pectenia plumbea s. str., Lobaria pulmonaria on rock, Lobarina scrobiculata + Sticta limbata and Bunodophoron melanocarpum. #LichenGBI
Pectenia plumbea s. str.Lobaria pulmonaria on rockLobarina scrobiculata and Sticta limbataBunodophoron melanocarpum
0242
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Some tiny lichens in Knapdale: Porina multipuncta, Pyrrhospora quernea, Snippocia nivea and Parmeliella parvula. #LichenGBI
Porina multipuncta: tiny orange soraliaPyrrhospora quernea: glows a uniform UV+ orangeSnippocia nivea we think: uniform P+ yellowParmeliella parvula: very wet but the tiny lobes with pale edges (soralia)
0142
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Does Parmotrema crinitum have fruit like this? Or is it an LF? #LichenGBI
Parmotrema crinitum - with fruit?
2272
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
The next star lichen find is Menegazzia terebrata on a north-facing damp rock outcrop with perforations in the lobes and soralia at the lobe ends. #LichenGBI
Menegazzia terebrata: close-up of holes (without soredia) with soralia visible on some lobe endsMenegazzia terebrata rosette on rockMenegazzia terebrata: multiple thalli on rocks to the right
0171
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
One of our star lichen finds today in Knapdale was Pseudocyphellaria citrina (Yellow specklebelly) with lots on one willow and some on some nearby rocks. The yellow colour somewhat dulled perhaps due to being wet. #LichenGBI
Pseudocyphellaria citrina lobes with punctiform soralia showing the yellow medulla, also visible on the lobes marginsSeveral instances of Pseudocyphellaria citrina on this willow.The underside of Pseudocyphellaria citrina with yellow pseudocyphellae just visiblePseudocyphellaria citrina on rocks nearby
0131
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Today we visited the woods at Ardminish south of Loch Stornoway in Knapdale - some lovely 'temperate rainforest' but spoiled by rhododendron that's already spreading badly. In 10/20 years much lichen, bryophyte, fungi and flora will be lost. Spread from nearby gardens and big houses. #LichenGBI
A hazel covered in Ricasolia virensLovely woods with Lobarina scrobiculata just visible in the centreView over the woods at Ardminish to Loch StornowayVery invasive and destructive Rhododendron in the wood at Ardminish.
0171
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
My photos of Wilson's Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum wilsonii) today at Knapdale aren't as clear as yesterday's Tunbridge, but they do show the slightly different green, curled down fronds and untoothed sporangia.
Wilson's Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum wilsonii)  green with curled down frondsWilson's Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum wilsonii) with untoothed sporangia
070
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Leptogium cyanescens, Pectenia atlantica with LL Normandina pulchella, a happily fertile Sphaerophorus globosus and Nephroma laevigatum. #LichenGBI
Leptogium cyanescensPectenia atlantica with LL Normandina pulchellaSphaerophorus globosus with fruitNephroma laevigatum
040
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Lobarina scrobiculata, Parmeliella thriptophylla and Peltigera collina. #LichenGBI
Lobarina scrobiculataParmeliella thriptophyllaPeltigera collinaPeltigera collina rhizines
170
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Graphis elegans, Hypotrachyna taylorensis, Sticta limbata and Pannaria conoplea. #LichenGBI
Graphis elegans, Hypotrachyna taylorensisSticta limbataPannaria conoplea
150
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Pyrenula macrospora, Dermatocarpon minitum, Lecanactis abietina fertile and Parmotrema crinitum gone berserk. #LichenGBI
Pyrenula macrosporaDermatocarpon minitumLecanactis abietina fertile: pruinose apothecia that are C-, with C+ red pruinose pycnidia elsewhere on the thallus.Parmotrema crinitum gone berserk
140
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
In Knapdale today, this lichen might be Parmotrema pseudoreticulatum with a fine network of lines on the upper surface. No rhizines at the underside edge. #LichenGBI
Parmotrema pseudoreticulatum with a fine network of lines (maculae) on the upper surfaceParmotrema pseudoreticulatum: no rhizines at the underside edge
1223
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
In Knapdale today was Tunbridge Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum tunbrigense) - pale green and flat jizz, with jagged sporangia indusia.
Tunbridge Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum tunbrigense) - pale green and flat jizzTunbridge Filmy-fern: jagged sporangia indusia
1245
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
And specialist fungi, Hymenochaete corrugata glue fungus which now seems to be Hydnoporia corrugata. And the remains of last year's Hazel gloves Hypocreopsis rhododendri.
Hymenochaete corrugata glue fungus which now seems to be Hydnoporia corrugataHazel gloves Hypocreopsis rhododendri
000
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
And probably the young trumpets of Sticta fuliginoides. #LichenGBI
Probaby Sticta fuliginoides
120
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
And three instances of what looks like Leptogium brebissonii. Here it is swollen as it is wet with paler isidia on the lobes edges/ridges. #LichenGBI
Probably Leptogium brebissoniiProbably Leptogium brebissoniiProbably Leptogium brebissonii
120
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
And Pectenia athlantica, Peltigera collina, Pannaria conoplea and Leptogium burgessii. #LichenGBI
Pectenia athlanticaPeltigera collinaPannaria conopleaLeptogium burgessii
110
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
And Lobaria pulmonaria, Parmotrema perlatum, Ramalina caricaris and Ricasolia virens. #LichenGBI
Lobaria pulmonariaParmotrema perlatumRamalina caricaris, with channelled lobesSmall Ricasolia virens, with Sticta above and Pectenia below
110
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
We're in Knapdale for the week to explore the scattered oceanic woodlands and coastal rocks for lichens, starting with Cetrelia olivetorum, Leptogium cyanescens and Pannaria rubiginosa. #LichensGBI
Glimpse of sun at AchahoishCetrelia olivetorum with tiny white freckles on the upper surfaceLeptogium cyanescens, thin with pale grey with small frills turning into lobelets on the lobe marginsPannaria rubiginosa, fairly common with orange-brown fruit and small lobes with pale margins.
041
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
I'm starting to organise our seemingly extensive lichen herbarium into boxes with home made cardboard dividers. I'm going to need to buy some more boots! #LichenGBI
Lichen herbarium boxes A..ZLichen herbarium genera NO, PQ and R
3191
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
More lichens from the dry-stone walls, ash and hazel trees of Swindale: Physcia tribacia, Normandina chlorococca, Peltigera horizontalis and Pertusaria pertusa. #LichenGBI
Physcia tribaciaNormandina chlorococcaPeltigera horizontalisPertusaria pertusa
051
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
In Swindale yesterday was a young Spring hazelcup (Encoelia furfuracea) fungus with a pale brown scurfy external surface. The inside opens up to release spores from the inner surface. #BBCSpringwatch #BBCwinterwatch @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
Spring hazelcup (Encoelia furfuracea) fungus
0254
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Also in Swindale on a siliceous rock outcrop was Psilolechia lucida lichen, a bright-light-green that glows orange in UV, with rare pale orange apothecia. #LichenGBI
Psilolechia lucida: bright-light-green leprose-granular crust on rock with rare pale orange apotheciaPsilolechia lucida clearly showing as orange in UV.
041
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Just beside the last sighting on hazel was Arthopyrenia cerasi, similar to A analepta but with 3-septate spores. It has separate perithecia, not a stroma. The asci are cylindrical, biseriate and the spores are 3-septate. Interascal strands visible, probably anastomosed pseudoparaphyses. #LichenGBI
Arthopyrenia cerasi perithecia with involucrellum just visible under the non-lichenised fungal thallusArthopyrenia cerasi: (upside down) section of a perithecium - with free algae on the surface. The cylindrical asci are visible.Arthopyrenia cerasi: 3-septate spores constricted at each septum, with perispore just visible. (One or two spores separated into two halves.)Arthopyrenia cerasi: involucrellum probably K+green but hard to tell with free green algae around.
070
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Yesterday in Swindale, Caz spotted these flattened black patches on hazel bark - but lumpy when viewed close up. This is lichen Tomasellia gelatinosa with each patch a stroma containing multiple perithecia-like locales with 3-septate spores inside. #LichenGBI
Tomasellia gelatinosa - two+ stroma containing multiple locules/perithecia on hazelTomasellia gelatinosa stroma section with multiple perithecia-like locules just discernible with spores visible below.Tomasellia gelatinosa: 3-septate spores, constricted at the septa, with perispore just visible.
0101
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
UK OFFICIAL: HIGH confidence: * Global ecosystem degradation and collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity * Ecosystem degradation is occurring across all regions. Every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security
This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.
053
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
On an oak from near Haweswater was Bacidia rubella with small but not tiny granules for the thallus, pale-red-brown apothecia with margin, thin acicular spores, a relatively tall hymenium and a largely colourless section. But Bacidia/Bacidina are always tricky. #LichenGBI
Bacidia rubella fruit and thallus in-situ on oak trunk barkBacidia rubella samples with the granular thallus more visible.Bacidia rubella spores are acicular ie long and thin. The ones I measured were around 70 x 2.5μm, multi-septate though it's hard to see them to count properly.
070
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
We also found Mycobilimbia sphaeroides lichen at the base of an ash lower down the slope in Naddle Forest at Haweswater. The ash also has other nice lichens including a small amount of Parmeliella thriptophylla. #LichenGBI
Mycobilimbia sphaeroides: green thallus supposedly made of fine granules but looks like tiny squamules to me. Apothecia: 0.6mm, convex, pale-orange/pale-red-brown.Mycobilimbia sphaeroides: more or less colourless apothecium sectionMycobilimbia sphaeroides spores 13-16 x 4.8μm just visible as 1-septate.
070
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
We also checked out a known fallen ash tree at Haweswater which has dying Lobaria pulmonaria lichen on the stump and fallen trunk. Good to refind several patches of very small fruit of Scytinium subtile jelly on the ash lignum. #LichenGBI @britishlichensociety.org.uk @wildhaweswater.bsky.social
Lobaria pulmonaria on an ash tree stump and the fallen ash trunk.Very frail looking Lobaria pulmonariaThe underside of dying Lobaria pulmonaria with isidia valiantly trying to grow.Several patches of very small fruit of Scytinium subtile jelly on the lignum, dead ash wood.
061
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Checked on some more Lobaria pulmonaria lichen translocations today: the same mixture of some good ones, some OK and a few failed or near-as. #LichenGBI
Successful Lobaria pulmonaria translocationUnsuccessful Lobaria pulmonaria translocation
071
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Thanks for digging that out! Caz has a pic from 2018 I think which shows the Lobaria pulmonaria a bit bigger.
010
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Out near Haweswater today, an ash tree still has existing Lobaria pulmonaria thalli, much the same size as 2020, but the Peltigera hortizontalis lichen has expanded greatly since then. Unfortunately the ash won't survive forever. #LichenGBI
An ash tree with Lobaria pulmonaria thalli, Peltigera hortizontalis above and importantly several dark patches of Parmeliella thriptophylla.A close-up of the Lobaria pulmonaria with Peltigera hortizontalis above TODAY.Lobaria pulmonaria with Peltigera hortizontalis above in 2020.Close up of Peltigera hortizontalis (today).
1171
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Checking Lobaria pulmonaria translocations today we were accompanied to a robin for some of the route. Can you spot the two nice looking lichen translocations? #LichenGBI
Two Lobaria pulmonaria translocations on a hazel, with robin in background
0112
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
The short answer is: no there isn't. We've written things up in the @britishlichensociety.org.uk Bulletin. Translocating these leafy lichens will probably be the easiest but it's still hard work even in suitable habitat with permission. And harder for foliose lichens and very hard for crustose ones.
000
Chris Cant @chriscant.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
To show some good progress on the Lobaria pulmonaria translocations: this instance in Naddle Forest Haweswater was done in March 2021. The photos show it after 1.5 years and 4.5 years, with mesh removed. It's attached and grown with upturning outer lobes. #LichenGBI @britishlichensociety.org.uk
Lobaria pulmonaria translocation photographed in September 2022 in Naddle Forest, HaweswaterLobaria pulmonaria translocation photographed in November 2025 in Naddle Forest, Haweswater
1102