The macrolichens of Val di Scalve (northern Italy) and the first record of Parmelia pinnatifida in Italy

ABSTRACT The Val di Scalve valley, which is located in the province of Bergamo (Lombardy, northern Italy) at the boundary between the calcareous Orobic Prealps and the siliceous Orobic Alps, has never been studied before from a lichenological standpoint. This first contribution reports 327 records of 106 macrolichen taxa from 24 localities in which the main habitats occurring in the montane and subalpine belts of the valley are represented. Dermatocarpon intestiniforme, Parmelia submontana, Parmotrema arnoldii and Cetrelia cetrarioides are new to Lombardy; the latter two species, together with Hypotrachyna laevigata, Menegazzia terebrata and Parmotrema crinitum, are listed in the Italian Red List of epiphytic lichens. Other species with conservation or biogeographical value include Cladonia grayi, Cladonia pulvinata, Leptogium saturninum, Peltigera lepidophora and Sphaerophorus fragilis. Some considerations on the surveyed species are expressed and suggestions aimed at improving the lichenological knowledge of the Val di Scalve valley and the Orobic Prealps and Alps are discussed. Furthermore, the first record of Parmelia pinnatifida in Italy, which contributes to filling a gap in knowledge about its distribution in the Alps, is reported from the neighbouring upper Val Camonica valley (province of Brescia).