E-Mail
IMAGE: The only records of the newly-identified lichen Cora timucua are 32 specimens in museum collections collected in Florida between 1885 and 1985. Up to 90% of its native pine scrub. view more
Credit: Robert Lücking
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Scientists have found a new species of fleshy verdigris lichen, thanks to DNA analysis of museum specimens. Misidentified by its original collectors, the lichen is only known from 32 specimens collected in North and Central Florida scrubland between 1885 and 1985. Now the hunt is on to find it in the wild - if it still exists.
The lichen, named
Cora timucua in honor of Florida s Timucua people, is critically endangered, even more so than the federally protected Florida perforate reindeer lichen, and possibly extinct. Researchers are holding out hope that
Current projects: “The Lost Art of Dreaming,” including “The Dictionary of Joy and Pleasure” (micro-commissions to 10 artists seeking a source of pleasure for every letter of the alphabet); “Video Postcard” series
“Our most recent project, ‘Boys in Trouble,’ did sharpen focus and shift direction upon the election of the last administration. The emboldening of white supremacy and specifically proudly anti-trans, transphobic values and strategic planning by the administration meant that I really wanted our project to stand up and speak back to that.
“(‘The Lost Art of Dreaming’) also is informed by living through this last administration. We had very little time to dream or imagine or feel joy or pleasure. It felt really important and radical to begin the project during that administration to of course continue organizing, educating and fighting back but also to claim the importance of joy and pleasure and dreaming in our lives.”
This example is in the British Museum.
Crystal human skulls with alleged mystical powers began turning up in Central America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were thought to be artifacts from Aztec and Mayan cultures. A number of museums and wealthy individual collectors wanted to get their hands on them.
Where Did the Skulls Come from?
Some of the skulls were life-sized, while others were miniatures; all elicited excitement from the archaeological community. Some suggested they came from cultures that moved into Central America from the lost city of Atlantis. There was a body of opinion that said they were left behind by aliens who had visited Earth long before recorded history.