MORPHOMETRIC VARIATION IN PRIMARY SQUAMULES OF CLADONIA-FOLIACEA AND C-CONVOLUTA

In order to study the morphological distinction between Cladonia folia cea and C. convoluta in Spain, three characters were measured on 140 p rimary squamules, representing nine populations of C. foliacea and ele ven of C. convoluta. From these three characters, perimeter length (P) , convex perimeter (Pcx) and area (A), two ratios were calculated. Rat io A (A/P) was consistently higher in C. convoluta, though when confid ence intervals were considered, some intermediate thalli could not be discerned statistically. A gradation exists between the two species, s uggesting a gradation in thallus dissection, with C. foliacea being mo re dissected. Ratio B (Pcx/P) was usually higher in C. foliacea, but c onsiderable overlap between the two species exists, and this ratio is best saved for problematic specimens.