Syo Kurokawa

Japanese lichenologist (1926–2010)

Syo Kurokawa

黒川 逍

Born| (1926-07-15)July 15, 1926[1]
Died| September 16, 2010(2010-09-16) (aged 84)[1]
Nationality| Japanese
Education| Tokyo University of Literature & Science
Known for| Study of lichens
Awards| Acharius Medal[1]
Scientific career
Institutions| National Science Museum, Tokyo
Academic advisors| Yasuhiko Asahina
Author abbrev. (botany)| Kurok.

Syo Kurokawa (黒川 逍, Kurokawa Shō, July 15, 1926–September 16, 2010)[1] was a renowned Japanese lichenologist and 1994 recipient of the Acharius Medal.[2] He studied under Mason Hale[3] and Yasuhiko Asahina.[1]

## Education and career

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Kurokawa graduated in 1951 from the Tokyo University of Literature & Science, which later became the University of Tsukuba. He earned his Doctor of Science degree with a thesis titled "The species of Anaptychia, with a new sub generic classification". This work was later published as "A monograph of the genus Anaptychia" in 1962, which became a seminal paper in the field.[1]

Throughout his career, Kurokawa made significant contributions to lichenology. He collaborated with Mason Hale on "Studies on Parmelia subgenus Parmelia" (1964), which revolutionized the understanding of rhizine characteristics in Parmelia classification. His research encompassed various lichen genera in Japan, including Anzia, Cetraria, Parmelia, Peltigera, Pilophorus, and Xanthoparmelia.[1]

## Contributions to lichenology

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Kurokawa played a crucial role in elevating the herbarium of the National Museum of Nature and Science (TNS) to international standards. From 1966 to 1996, he published the exsiccata "Lichenes rariores et critici exsiccati" ("Rare and critical lichens, dried specimens"), comprising 700 specimens distributed to leading world herbaria.[1] Between 1966 and 1987, he edited this exsiccata, collaborating with Hiroyuki Kashiwadani from 1978 onwards.[4]

His research extended to environmental studies, where he investigated the use of Parmotrema tinctorum as a bioindicator for air pollution in urban Japan. Kurokawa's work earned him recognition as one of the most prominent lichenologists in Japan and Asia.[1]

## Legacy

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Kurokawa was widely respected for both his academic achievements and his personal qualities, including his warmth and kindness. His passing in 2010 was considered a significant loss to the global lichenological community.[1]

### Eponyms

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Several lichen species have been named to honour Kurokawa. These eponyms include:[5] Usnea kurokawae Asahina (1956); Parmelia kurokawae Hale (1968); Lobaria kurokawae Yoshim (1971); Physconia kurokawae Kashiw (1975); Cetraria kurokawae Shibuichi & K.Yoshida (1982); Heterodermia kurokawae Trass (1992); Scleropyrenium kurokawae H.Harada (1993); Cladonia kurokawae Ahti & S.Stenroos (1996); Ramalina kurokawae Kashiw (1996); Parmotrema kurokawianum Louwhoff & Elix (1999); Fellhaneropsis kurokawae G.Thor, Lücking & Tat.Matsumoto (2000); Graphis kurokawae M.Nakan., Kashiw. & K.H.Moon (2008); and Lecanora kurokawae Shiba, K.H.Moon & Kashiw (2008). The genus Kurokawia is also named for him.

The standard author abbreviation Kurok. is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.[6]

## See also

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* List of mycologists
* Category:Taxa named by Syo Kurokawa

## Citations

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kashiwadani 2011.
2. ^ "Acharius Medallists: Syo Kurokawa". International Association for Lichenology. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
3. ^ DePriest.
4. ^ "Lichenes rariores et critici exsiccati: IndExs ExsiccataID=852081656". IndExs - Index of Exsiccatae. Botanische Staatssammlung München. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
5. ^ Hertel, Hannes; Gärtner, Georg; Lőkös, László (2017). "Forscher an Österreichs Flechtenflora" [Investigators of Austria's lichen flora] (PDF). Stapfia (in German). 104 (2): 1–211 (see pp. 14–15).
6. ^ International Plant Names Index.  Kurok.

## References

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* DePriest, P.T. (1999). "Development of Mason E. Hale's list of epithets in the Parmelioid genera (lichen-forming Ascomycotina): A bibliographic review". Bryologist. 102 (3): 442–461. doi:10.2307/3244233. JSTOR 3244233.
* Kashiwadani, Hiroyuki (2011). "A tribute to Syo Kurokawa (1926–2010)". The Lichenologist. 43 (3): 191–192. doi:10.1017/S0024282911000090.

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Recipients of the Acharius Medal

* Per Magnus Jørgensen (2021)
* James D. Lawrey (2021)
* William Alfred Weber (2018)
* Allan Green (2016)
* Josef Hafellner (2016)
* Bruce McCune (2016)
* Peter Crittenden (2014)
* Pier Luigi Nimis (2014)
* Ana Crespo (2012)
* Leif Tibell (2012)
* Brian John Coppins (2010)
* Thomas Hawkes Nash III (2010)
* David Galloway (2008)
* Hannes Hertel (2008)
* Rosmarie Honegger (2008)
* Mark Seaward (2006)
* Jack Elix (2004)
* Ludger Kappen (2004)
* Marie-Agnès Letrouit-Galinou (2004)
* David Cecil Smith (2003)
* David Leslie Hawksworth (2002)
* Teuvo Ahti (2000)
* Georges Clauzade (2000)
* Nina Golubkova (2000)
* Vernon Ahmadjian (1996)
* Siegfried Huneck (1996)
* Christian Leuckert (1996)
* Ernie Brodo (1994)
* Margalith Galun (1994)
* Syo Kurokawa (1994)
* Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess (1994)
* Dharani Awasthi (1992)
* Chicita F. Culberson (1992)
* William Louis Culberson (1992)
* Gunnar Degelius (1992)
* Aino Henssen (1992)
* Peter James (1992)
* Hildur Krog (1992)
* Otto Ludwig Lange (1992)
* Josef Poelt (1992)
* Rolf Santesson (1992)
* John Walter Thomson (1992)
* Hans Trass (1992)
* Antonín Vězda (1992)

Authority control databases

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* United States
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Academics|

* CiNii
* International Plant Names Index

Other|

* IdRef
* Te Papa (New Zealand)

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