The “Golden Period” of Italian lichenology and its importance in modern times

Towards the middle of the XIX century the study of “cryptogams”, including lichens, underwent a sudden moment of blooming. In Italy this took on an unusual extent: in a period of about 15 years, from 1846 to 1860, Italy became one of the main centers of Lichenology worldwide. This was mainly due to the invention of a new microscope with acromatic lenses by G.B. AMICI, which allowed a much more detailed investigation of microscopical characters. The pioneering work of G. DE NOTARIS, A.B. MASSALONGO and V. TREVISAN brought about a true revolution in lichen systematics, with the creation of many new natural genera. This, however, also produced a state of nomenclatural confusion which triggered the criticism of other lichenologists, such as W. NYLANDER, culminating in the catalogue of A. ZAHLBRUCKNER, where many very artificial genera were adopted. It is only after the II World War, and especially in recent times, with the advent of molecular systematics, that the work of the old Italian Masters is being resurrected from oblivion. As during the “Golden Period” of Italian lichenology, this is again resulting in an explosive inflation of new genera, in a severe loss of the information carried by generic names, and in a high degree of nomenclatural disorder. The conflict between the needs of taxonomists and those of name-users, which was one of the main reasons for the long-lasting oblivion of progress achieved during the “Golden Period” of Italian lichenology, is becoming increasingly evident, which suggests that a revision of the current rank-based nomenclatural system is badly needed.