Ecological and taxonomical features of lichen species of Xanthoparmelia (Vain.) hale (Ascomycotina, Parmeliaceae) distributed in Turkey containing usnic acid

The aim of this study was to determine the taxonomic and ecological features of Xanthoparmelia species containing usnic acid, as well as to identify their lichen acid composition and their distribution in Turkey and to design a key to these lichen species. Consequently, revision studies being the second stage of writing "Lichen Flora of Turkey" will be initiated.673 lichen specimens collected from 158 localities in several provinces of Turkey have been examined and 9 lichen species containing usnic acid was found to distribute in Turkey. Of these lichen species, Xanthoparmelia verrucigera (Nyl.) Hale is new record for Turkey. In this study the descriptions of these species, their morphological, anatomical, ecological features and their distributions in Turkey and in the world were also given.In addition, the chemical features of lichen species including the lichen acid composition and major lichen acid quantity measurements were carried out by TLC and HPTLC methods.