Cladonia norvegica is split with a new segregate Cladonia rubrotincta Named

In first view in the Lichenologist website a paper Vtípilová et al “Cladonia rubrotincta, a new species distinct from C. norvegica” has been published https://doi.org/10.1017/S002428292510128X” class=”bbcode_url”>https://doi.org/10.1017/S002428292510128X.

Vtípilová et al (2025) show that specimens of Cladonia norvegica with red spots are actually a separate but closely related species which they named Cladonia rubrotincta. As well as the red spots, this also has small podetia up to 10(–15) mm tall, which are usually somewhat twisted. A specimen from Scotland has been sequenced and shown to be Cladonia rubrotincta and as the red spots were used by me, and I think most others, to identify “Cladonia norvegica” I would think that most records of Cladonia norvegica from Britain are actually of Cladonia rubrotincta.

True C. norvegica may occur in Britain and should be looked out for. It lacks the red spots and the podetia are significantly taller, ranging from 1–3(4) cm in height and are less twisted but is otherwise similar.

I have updated the BLS website description of Cladonia norvegica to Cladonia rubrotincta, so go there for more information https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/resources/species-accounts/cladonia-rubrotincta” class=”bbcode_url”> https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/resources/species-accounts/cladonia-rubrotincta

Neil