The lichens of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, South Pacific Ocean - II: Parmeliaceae

Ten parmelioid taxa in five genera were identified from Rarotonga, Cook Isl ands, South Pacific Ocean. These comprise: three species of Bulbothrix, one species of Canoparmelia, four species of Parmotrema, one species of Rimeli a and one species of Xanthoparmelia. Canoparmelia rarotongensis Louwhoff & Elix is described as new, bring distinguished from other species of this ge nus by its unique secondary chemistry (lecanoric acid) and conspicuous, inf lated isidia. The majority of parmelioid lichens on Rarotonga have cosmopol itan and pantropical distributions. Bulbothrix is reported for the first ti me from the Polynesian region. (C) 2000 The British Lichen Society.