In 1886, Nylander published the lichen species Bryoria divergescens (Nyl.) Brodo & D. Hawksw. based on a small holotype specimen less than 2 cm long, it was collected by P. J. M. Delavay in 1885 from Yunnan Dali (H-Nyl. 35972, Holotype). In the next 100 years, except for this holotype, there were no more records or research on this species, thus, the definition of the species is not so clear.

Recently, Wang Lisong from Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) found 46 specimens of this species from the original habitat, and made description and comparison with the holotype specimen about the morphology, secondary metabolites and molecular, clarified many problems caused by the lack of material. Bryoria divergescens is now considered as an endemic species to the Hengduan Mountains region. It is characterized by its erect thallus, 3–8 cm tall, main branches 1–2 mm in diam., it usually grows on branches of conifers, at elevation between 1700 and 4100 m. The results have been published on ‘The Bryologist’ (2012, 115(1): 1101-108 http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.1639/0007-2745-115.1.101). At the same time, the photo of this species was chosen as the cover image of this journal, this is the second time that the pictures of Yunnan lichen diversity were used as the cover, it showed the importance of Yunnan in the lichen research. ‘The Bryologist’ is a quarterly journal published by The American Bryological and Lichenological Society, it is a famous journal for lichen and bryophyte researchThe research was supported by National fund and Flora Lichenorum Sinicorum.

In recent years, with the intensive research progress of Yunnan lichen, many papers about lichens have been published from KIB, Yunnan lichen research is becoming more and more related with the international academia, it is meaningful for showing the diversity of Yunnan lichens and the periodical research results.

A. Holotype of Bryoria divergescens. B. Bryoria divergesens in its natural habitat. From Li S. Wang 05–24444, Yunnan, Dali, Cangshan Mt., 3400 m, on a branch of Abies sp., May. 2005. C. Surface view of main branch with lateral spinules. The main branches has dull surface, encrusted with whitish pruina–like materials, but lateral spinules appear glossy (Air–dried material, Harada 23700). (Image by KIB)

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