Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized
Fungi from Nepal: A Signature of
Undiscovered Biodiversity in Central
Himalaya
Himanshu Rai, Pramod Nag, Roshni
Khare, Dalip Kumar Upreti & Rajan
Kumar Gupta
Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, India Section B:
Biological Sciences
ISSN 0369-8211
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol.
Sci.
DOI 10.1007/s40011-015-0702-y
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Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci.
DOI 10.1007/s40011-015-0702-y
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized Fungi from Nepal:
A Signature of Undiscovered Biodiversity in Central Himalaya
Himanshu Rai1,2 • Pramod Nag2,3 • Roshni Khare2,3 • Dalip Kumar Upreti2
Rajan Kumar Gupta3
•
Received: 28 April 2015 / Revised: 1 December 2015 / Accepted: 23 December 2015
The National Academy of Sciences, India 2016
Abstract Twenty-eight new records of lichenized fungi
have been reported from the community forest of
Dadeldhura situated in Mahakali zone of far west Nepal.
The species diversity is distributed in 13 families
(Acarosporaceae, Arthoniaceae, Caliciaceae, Chrysothrichaceae, Cladoniaceae, Collemataceae, Graphidaceae,
Lecanoraceae, Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae, Pyrenulaceae,
Ramalinaceae, Verrucariaceae), showing 4 growth forms
(squamulose, crustose, foliose and dimorphic) reported
from three (soil, bark and rocks) substrata. A brief annotated morpho-taxonomic description of all the 28 species
along with their ecology and distribution is given. Photomicrographs of all the described species are provided for
visual validation. Taxonomic, growth form and substratum
diversity of all 28 described species is discussed. A supplementary conspectus table is provided, giving overview
of the phorophyte diversity of corticolous species along
with the taxonomy and growth form diversity of described
lichen species. The findings have been discussed in light of
less explored region in central Himalaya and importance of
community forests in Nepal for diversity studies.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this
article (doi:10.1007/s40011-015-0702-y) contains supplementary
material, which is available to authorized users.
& Himanshu Rai
himanshurai08@yahoo.com
1
Department of Botany, Pt. L.M.S. Government Post Graduate
College, Rishikesh (Dehradun), Uttarakhand 249201, India
2
Lichenology Laboratory, Plant Diversity, Systematics and
Herbarium Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research
Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India
3
Department of Botany, Government Post Graduate College,
Kotdwar (Pauri-Garhwal), Uttarakhand 246149, India
Keywords Dadeldhura Himalaya Lichens West Nepal
Introduction
The Himalayan habitats are among the lichen rich regions
of Asia, harboring nearly all sorts of growth forms, in all
available terrestrial domains [1]. Nepal, a landlocked
country in central Himalaya is bordered by Indian Gangetic
plains in south, west and east, and the Tibetan plateau in
the north. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 m to
8848 m. The country receives its maximum precipitation
from Indian monsoon, in the months of June–August. The
elevation gradient created by Himalayas is exemplified by
diverse habitats in Nepal which range from tropical
(\1000 m), subtropical (1000–2000 m) through temperate
(2000–3000 m), subalpine (3000–3500 m) to alpine
([3500 m). Deforestation and habitat fragmentation due to
rapid landuse change for agriculture and urbanization are
among the various causes, responsible for rapid biodiversity depletion in the region.
Lichenological research in Nepal was primarily initiated by western workers in Khumbu glacier region which
was further carried out by Indian and a few native workers. Lamb [2] and Poelt [3–5], Bystrek [6], Poelt and
Reddi [7], Abbayes [8], Jahns and Seelen [9], Kurokawa
[10], Mitchell [11], Schmidt [12], Vĕzda and Poelt [13]
and Hellmich and Poelt [14] reported lichen genera
Stereocaulon, Ochrolechia, Lecanora, Physcia, Physciopsis, Physconia, Alectoria, Candelaria, Candelariella,
Cladonia, Baeomyces, Anaptychia, Leptogium, Chaenotheca, Coniocybe, Dimerella and Pachyphiale from
Khumbu glacier region. Vitikainen [15] reported a new
species of lichenised fungus, Peltigera dolichospora from
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H. Rai et al.
eastern Nepal. Esslinger and Poelt [16] reported a new
parmelioid genus, Parmelia masonii from Nepal. Goffinet
and Hastings [17] reported a new sorediate variety of
Peltigera didactyla from Nepal. Jørgensen and Olley [18]
reported a new species of cyanolichen genus, Leptogium
sphaerosporum from Langtang region of central Nepal.
Awasthi [19], Awasthi and Mathur [20] discussed distribution of lichen genera Usnea, Bacidia, Badimia, Fellhanera and Mycobilimbia in Nepal. Besides the taxonomic
exploration of specific generic records some publications
have dealt with lichen flora of specific region or whole
Nepal. Miehe [21] enumerated the lichens of Langtang
valley in central Nepal. Awasthi [22, 23] consolidated the
taxonomic information giving detailed keys and taxonomic diagnosis of micro- as well as macrolichens of
Nepal. Poelt and Hinteregger [24] compiled taxonomic
information of lichens of Nepal in his lichen flora of
Himalaya. Sharma [25] consolidated a checklist of lichens
of Nepal. Baniya [26] enumerated the floristic composition
of lichens from Sikles-Kaski district and Shivpuri-Kathmandu district. Baniya et al. [27] described the elevation
gradient of lichenized fungi from Nepal and recorded
considerable diversity of lichens both in terms of taxonomy as well as growth forms. Baniya et al. [27] recorded
525 species of lichenised fungi from Nepal represented by
40 families and 121 genera. The lichen diversity of Nepal
is constituted by 35.4 % crustose, 46.3 % foliose and
18.3 % fruticose–dimorphic growth forms [27]. Currently
about 550 species of lichens are known from Nepal [18,
27, 28].
Majority of lichenological explorations in Nepal have
been done in central and eastern region of the country [24,
25, 27]. The western Nepal was recently (2010–2015)
explored by the authors for assessment of lichen diversity
of the region [29]. Here the authors have described 28 new
records of lichens from western region of Nepal, discovered in the recent excursions.
Material and Methods
Study Area
The described new records are from far west region of
Nepal. Species described were collected from Dadeldhura
community forest (CF) of Dadeldhura town (N 29180 900 –N
29170 4500 , E 80350 2100 –E 80350 5100 ), in Dadeldhura district, Mahakali zone, west Nepal (Fig. 1). The forest shows
elevation variation of 1600–1800 m above sea level. Climate of the area is influenced by summer monsoon [29].
The area is characterized by an average maximum annual
temperature of 30 C to a minimum of 4 C and an average
annual precipitation of 121 mm, with highest precipitation
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Fig. 1 Location map of study site, Dadeldhura, Far-west Nepal
in the months of July–August [29]. Vegetation of the area
is classified as temperate and alpine broad leaved forests.
Dadeldhura CF has a mixed temperate vegetation having
dominance of Quercus leucotrichophora with patches of
Pinus roxburghii on the fringes of the forest. Other
prominent phorophytes were Rhododendron arboreum and
Myrica esculenta [29].
Collection and Curation of Lichen Samples
Lichen samples were collected from all available relevés in
Dadeldhura CF. The lichen samples were collected and
curated according to standard lichenological procedures
[30, 31].
Lichen Identification
The lichen samples collected were examined and identified
at the Lichenology Laboratory of the National Botanical
Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Lichens
were identified to species level, morpho-anatomically using
a stereomicroscope—LEICATM S8 APO and optical
microscope—LEICATM DM 500. Chemistry of lichen
thalli was studied with the help of spot tests, UV light and
standardized thin-layer chromatography [32, 33]. Identification was done using relevant keys and monographs [34–
42]. The voucher specimens were deposited at the lichen
herbarium (LWG), National Botanical Research Institute
(NBRI), Lucknow, India, which is a national depository of
Indian flora under biological diversity act 2002 (Sec. 6, 12)
of ministry of environment, forest and climate change,
India.
Taxonomic Treatment
Outline classification of acomycota was followed given by
Lumbsch and Huhndorf [43] and current name of species
were validated using Singh and Sinha [28]. Citation of
relevant literature, for taxonomic nomenclature was followed from Awasthi [23] and Singh and Sinha [28]. New
Author's personal copy
Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized Fungi from Nepal: A Signature of Undiscovered…
records were validated against species mentioned by
Baniya et al. [27] and Singh and Sinha [28]. Each species is
described with respect to its morphological, anatomical and
chemical characters if any. Distinguishing characters of
each species were compared from closely resembling
species for taxonomic clarity. Ecology of the species is
described with reference to the substratum, habitat and
phorophyte preferences. Worldwide distribution of species
is given for the overview of their geographical expanse.
Results and Discussion
Twenty-eight new records from Nepal were identified from
Dadeldhura CF. The species reported below are arranged
alphabetically. All records were examined by the authors.
Photographs of species have also been given to facilitate
identifications (legends to which are mentioned in parentheses to citations).
1. Acarospora fusca B. de Lesd., Rech. Lich. Dunkerque
I, Suppl.: 100. 1914. (Acarosporaceae) (Fig. 2a)
Ascocarps: dark brown-black, minute, innate, foveolate,
irregular; spores: 5–9 septate, 20–32 9 8–11 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, P-; no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Remarks: Arthonia recedens shows resemblance with A.
pellea but differs from the latter in having thin whitish
thallus, smaller spore size and minute, innate, foveolate
ascocarps.
Ecology and distribution: The species was recorded on
twig of citrus plant, from an abandoned agriculture land.
This species is previously known from India and now it
extends its distribution to Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1843 m, on bark, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020637 (LWG).
3. Bacidia subannexa (Nyl.) Zahlbr., Cat. Lich. Univ. 4:
242. 1926. (Ramalinaceae) (Fig. 2c)
Lecidea subannexa Nyl., Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn. 26(10):
15. 1900.
Thallus: saxicolous, squamulose, areolate; squamules:
2.5 mm across, adpressed; upper surface: pale brown to
dark brown. Photobiont: a green alga (Chlorococcoid).
Apothecia: not very frequent, solitary in each squamule,
immersed disc 0.20–0.25 mm in diam., irregular in shape,
black or very dark reddish brown, plane or subconcave
spores colourless, small, simple, thin walled, subglobose,
3–4.5 9 1.7 lm.
Thallus: crustose, corticolous, smooth to cracked,
uneven, thin, brownish. Photobiont: a green alga (Chlorococcoid). Apothecia: few, constricted at base, 0.5–0.8 mm
in diam.; disc: brown, plane; exciple: colourless to pale
yellow; hymenium: I ? blue then vinose red; spores:
oblong-bacillar, both ends are rounded, transversely 5
septate, 22–27 9 4.5 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, P-; no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, P-; no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Remarks: Acarospora fusca shows resemblance with A.
smaragdula but differs from the latter in having smaller,
narrower, adpressed squamules, and absence of lichen
substance.
Remarks: Bacidia subannexa shows resemblance with B.
medialis and B. rufescens but differs from them in having
smooth thallus and larger, brown apothecia with pale
brown margin.
Ecology and distribution: The species was recorded from
sandstone from secondary scrubland. This species is previously known from Indian and Europe and it is a new
record for Nepal lichen flora.
Ecology and distribution: The species was recorded from
Q. leucotrichophora on fringe strands of Dadeldhura
community forest. This species is previously known from
India, Sri Lanka and now it extends its distribution to
Nepal. It is a new record for Nepal lichen flora.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest,
1843 m, on rocks, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020666 (LWG).
2. Arthonia recedens Stirt., Proc. Roy. Soc. Glasgow 11:
319. 1879. (Arthoniaceae) (Fig. 2b)
Thallus: corticolous (ramicolous), crustose, effuse, ecorticate, whitish, thin, I ? blue. Photobiont: Trentepohlia.
Specimens examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1756 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020879 (LWG); Dadeldhura community forest,
alt. 1854 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020868 (LWG).
4. Buellia aethalea (Ach.) Th. Fr., Lichenogr. Scand. 1:
604. 1874. (Caliciaceae) (Fig. 2d)
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H. Rai et al.
Fig. 2 a Acarospora fusca B. de Lesd., b Arthonia recedens Stirt.,
c Bacidia subannexa (Nyl.) Zahlbr., d Buellia aethalea (Ach.) Th. Fr.,
e B. disciformis (Fr.) Mudd, f B. disjecta Zahlbr., g Canoparmelia
pustulescens (Kurok.) Elix, h Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) J.R.
Laundon, i Cladonia coniocraea (Flörke) Spreng., j C. coniocraea
123
dominated biological soil crust, k Collema cristatum (L.) Weber ex
F.H. Wigg., l Endocarpon subrosettum Ajay Singh and Upreti,
m Graphis chlorotica A. Massal, n G. proserpens Vain. Scale in
h = 0.5 mm; in b, e, f, l = 1 mm; in a, c, d, g, j, i, k, m, n = 2 mm;
in k = 5 cm
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Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized Fungi from Nepal: A Signature of Undiscovered…
Gyalecta aethalea Ach., Lichenogr. Universalis: 669.
1810.
Thallus: crustose, saxicolous, areolate, thin, ±continuous; prothallus: distinct, black surface: usually gray to pale
brown, rarely dark gray, dull, phenocorticate. Photobiont: a
unicellular green alga. Apothecia: lecideine; (0.1–)
0.2–0.2(-0.5) mm in diam., remaining immersed, not
becoming sessile, angular to irregularly circular
(‘‘comma’’-shaped), predominantly in the center of an
areole asci: clavate, Bacidia-type, 8-spored; spores: soon
brown, 1-septate, broadly ellipsoid, constricted with age,
with obtuse ends, not curved, 11.8–13.9 9 6.3–9.7 lm;
ornamentation: microrugulate.
Chemistry: Thallus and medulla K? yellow to red, P?
yellow, C-, KC-, CK-; UV-; Norstictic acid present.
Remarks: Buellia aethalea shows resemblance with B.
sororioides and B. subsororioides but differs from them in
having pale-brown thallus, and smaller spore size.
Ecology and distribution: The species was recorded from
limestone rock, in natural strands of Dadeldhura community forest. This species is previously known from India,
Australia, Brazil, Great Britain, New Zealand and Thailand, Antarctica, North America and is a new record for
Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1843 m, on rock, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020805 (LWG).
5. Buellia disciformis (Fr.) Mudd, Man. Brit. Lich.: 216.
1861. (Caliciaceae) (Fig. 2e)
Lecidea parasema var. disciformis Fr., Nov. Sched.
Critic: 9. 1826; Zahlbr., Cat. Lich. Univ. 7: 349. 1931.
Buellia parasema (Ach.) De Not., Nuovo Giorn. Bot.
Ital. 2, 1, 1: 198 (1846).
Thallus: crustose, corticolous, rimose to rimose-areolate; prothallus: absent or delimiting the thallus as a black
outline where several different thalli meet: surface: pale
white to ivory, dull, smooth, phenocorticate. Photobiont: a
unicellular
green
alga.
Apothecia:
lecideine;
(0.2–)0.4–0.6(-0.7) mm in diam., sessile margin: black,
thick, ±persistent; disc: black, epruinose, plane; asci:
clavate, Bacidia-type, 8-spored brown, 1-septate, occasionally with two additional false septa, narrowly ellipsoid, usually not constricted, with pointed ends,
sometimes slightly curved, 14.7–17.8–21.4–21.5 9 6.5 9
9.7 lm; proper septum: narrow; lateral wall: ±thickened
(Callispora-type);
Chemistry:
present.
K? yellow, P-, C-; UV-; Atranorin
Remarks: Buellia disciformis shows resemblance with B.
montana, B. diorista and B. punctata but differs from them
in having whitish grey thallus, hymenium interspersed with
oil globules and smooth surfaced spores without any
ornamentation.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
P. roxburghii in fringe strands of Dadeldhura community
forest. This species is previously known from India, Australia, Great Britain, Canary Islands, New Zealand, Socotra; and North America. Cosmopolitan in distribution. It is
a new record for Nepal lichen flora.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1810 m, on bark, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020891 (LWG).
6. Buellia disjecta Zahlbr., in Hand. Mazz., Symb. Sin.
3: 223. 1930 and Cat. Lich. Univ. 7: 356. 1931.
(Caliciaceae) (Fig. 2f)
Thallus: crustose, corticolous, sublobate at margin,
rimose-areolate. Photobiont: a unicellular green alga.
Apothecia: 0.6 mm in diam., constricted at base; exciple:
brown to dark brown; hypothecium and internal stipe:
colourless; disc: epruinose, black; spores: 13–18 9 6–8 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, P-; no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Remarks: Buellia disjecta shows resemblance with B.
pusillula but differs from the latter in having thallus
sublobate at margin, larger basally constricted apothecia
and larger spore size.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
P. roxburghii in fringe forest region of Dadeldhura community forest. This species is previously known from India
and China. It is a new record for Nepal lichen flora.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1810 m, on bark, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020869 (LWG).
7. Canoparmelia pustulescens (Kurok.) Elix Mycotaxon
47: 127. 1993; Elix 1994: 28. (Parmeliaceae) (Fig. 2g)
Parmelia pustulescens Kurokawa in Hale and Kurokawa, Contr. U.S. Nat. Herb.36: 156. 1964
Thallus: foliose, saxicolous, to 5 cm across, closely
adnate; lobes: sublinear, to 1.2 mm wide, black rimmed
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H. Rai et al.
near tips; upper side: rugulose, isidiate; isidia: irregularly
inflated bursting open apically to produce coarse soredia;
lower side: black, sparsely rhizinate; medulla: white.
Photobiont: green alga. Apothecia: not present.
Chemistry: Medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-; Sekikaic,
homosekikaic and fatty acids present
Remarks: Canoparmelia pustulescens shows resemblance with C. carneopruinata and C. crozalsiana but
differs from them in negative reaction to P (paraphenylenediamine) and soredia produced at top of inflated,
bursting isidia.
Distribution: The species was recorded from sandstone
rock in natural forest vegetation. This species is previously
known in India, Australia, Africa, and now it extends distribution to Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1843 m, on rock, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0022311 (LWG).
8. Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) J.R. Laundon Lichenologist 13(2): 110. 1981. (Chrysothrichaceae) (Fig. 2h)
Byssus candelaris L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1169. 1753.
Lepraria candelaris (L.) Fr., Sched. Critic.: 16. 1824.
Thallus: crustose, leprose, corticolous, unstratified; surface: bright yellow throughout, often with an orange or
greenish tinge, composed of a mass of fine soredia;
medulla: usually not evident, in thick thalli sometimes
indistinctly present, yellow. Photobiont: unicellular green
alga.
Chemistry: K- or K? orange, sometimes darkening to
red–black, C-, KC-, P- or P? orange; UV? dull orange.
Secondary metabolites: calycin and/or pinastric acid.
Remarks: Chrysothrix candelaris shows resemblance
with Chr. earneopruinala and Chr. chlorina but differs
from them in having greenish-yellow, thin thallus with
minute granules.
Distribution: The species was recorded from Q. leucotrichophora bark in agriculture field at fringe of
Dadeldhura community forest. This species is previously
known in India, Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, East Africa,
Great Britain, Mauritius, New Zealand, Sierra Leone,
South Africa, Sri Lanka and Thailand; North and South
America and now it extends its distribution to Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1843 m, on bark, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0022311 (LWG).
123
9. Cladonia coniocraea (Flörke) Spreng. Sprengel, Syst.
Veg. 4(1): 272. 1827. (Cladoniaceae) (Fig. 2i, j)
Cenomyce coniocraea Flörke, Deutschl. Lich. 7: 14.
1821.
Primary thallus: dimorphic-squamules as primary thallus
bearing erect fruticose body(podetia) as secondary thallus,
terricolous; squamules: small to medium-sized, deeply
laciniate to palmately lobed, sparingly to abundantly
sorediate along margins of underside; podetia: green,
5–15 mm tall, usually simple, sparingly branched, tapering,
subulate, escyphose or sometimes scyphose; scyphi:
infrequent, 1–2 mm wide, totally sorediate; podetial surface: corticated near base with or without squamules,
farinose-sorediate. Photobiont: a green alga (Asterochloris). Hymenial discs: brown at tips of podetia.
Chemistry: Podetia K-or K? faintly brownish, P? red,
KC-; Fumarprotocetraric acid present.
Remarks: Cladonia coniocraea shows resemblance with
C.subradiata but differs from the latter in having no
squamules at the base of podetia and decorticated, farinosesorediate upwards.
Ecology and distribution: The species was recorded on
the base of R. arboreum, Q. leucotrichophora and on lichen
dominated biological soil crust (pH 4), on the western
fringe of Dadeldhura community forest (Fig. 2k). The
species is earlier recorded from India, Australia and Bhutan, Africa, Europe, North America and now it extends its
distribution to Nepal.
Specimens examined: NEPAL: Far-western region,
Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest,
atl. 1716 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020847 (LWG); alt. 1789 m, on base of tree
trunk, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag
10-0020849 (LWG); alt. 1717 m, on lichen dominated
biological soil crust, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020850, 10-0020851, 10-0020861 (LWG).
10. Collema cristatum (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg. In F.
H. Wiggers. Prim. Fl. Holsat.: 89. 1780. (Collemataceae)
(Fig. 2k)
Lichen cristatus L., Sp. Pl.: 1143. 1753.
Thallus: foliose, saxicolous, up to 20 cm wide, rounded
or irregular; lobes: extended, furcate, usually deeply concave and distinctly channeled with ascending, wavy or
sinuose margins; upper surface: dark olive-green or black;
isidia: absent or present, marginal, globose to broad clavate; lower surface: concolorous or paler than upper surface. Photobiont: a blue green algae (Nostoc). Apothecia:
not present.
Author's personal copy
Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized Fungi from Nepal: A Signature of Undiscovered…
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; no lichen secondary metabolites.
Remarks: Collema cristatum shows resemblance with C.
tenax but differs from the latter in having saxicolous
thallus, lobes not swollen at apices and proper exciple
euparaplectenchymatous.
Ecology and distribution: The species was recorded on
sandstone rock in natural strands of Dadeldhura community
forest. The species is previously reported from India,
Europe, Central and North America and is a new record to
Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1648 m, on rock over soil, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and
Pramod Nag 10-0020667, 10-0020673 B, 10-0020678
(LWG).
11. Endocarpon subrosettum Ajay Singh and Upreti,
Candollea 39: 547. 1984 (Verrucariaceae) (Fig. 2l)
Thallus: squamulose, saxicolous, irregular in outline;
squamules: crowded or sometimes imbricate, ±adnate,
round to irregular in outline, olive-grey when dry, greenish
grey when wet, margin crenate to lobulate; lobules: whitish, 0.4 mm broad, ±ascending, under surface black.
Photobiont: a green alga. Perithecia: 1–6(–15) per squamules, immersed, ostioles round, black, plane; spores:
brown, oblong-ellipsoid, not constricted in the middle,
multi-celled muriform, cells arranged in 7–10 transverse
tiers, with 2–3 cells in each, 30–40 9 12–14 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, KC-, P-; no lichen secondary metabolites.
Remarks: Endocarpon subrosettum shows resemblance
with E. rosettum but differs from the latter in having
squamules black on lower side, and 6–15 perithecia per
squamules.
Ecology and distribution: The species was recorded on
rock from an abandon agriculture land. The species is
previously reported from India and is a new record to
Nepal.
Specimens examined: Nepal: Far-western region,
Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt. 1693 m, on rock, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and
Pramod Nag 10-0020664 (LWG); alt. 1817 m, on rock,
5/19/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020677
(LWG).
12. Graphis chlorotica A. Massal and Kremp., Verh.
K. K. Zool. -Bot. Ges. Wein. 21: 865. 1871. (Graphidaceae) (Fig. 2m)
Thallus: crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, greenish
grey, smooth to uneven. Photobiont: a filamentous green
algae (Trentepohlia). Apothecia: lirellate, lirellae
semiemergent, black, curved and flexuous, simple to
dichotomously branched, 1–5 mm long; ends tapering to
round; margin: with 2–3 longitudinal striae, black; disc:
closed; labia: 2–4 sulcate, sulci finger like, convergent,
covered with thin thallin veil; spores: 8 per ascus, hyaline,
elongate-ellipsoid,
transversely
8–12
locular,
28–45 9 5–7.5 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K? red, P-, C-, KC-; no lichen
secondary metabolites.
Remarks: Graphis chlorotica shows resemblance with G.
subtenella and Graphis duplicata var. australasiatica but
differs from them in having short and sparsely branched
erumpent lirellae.
Distribution: The species was recorded from Quercus
leucothrichophora on a fringe strand of Dadeldhura community forest. The species is previously reported from
India, Ambon, Australia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, the
Philippines and now first time reported from Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1817 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020886 (LWG).
13. Graphis proserpens Vain. Bot. Tidsskr. 29(2): 132.
1909 (Graphidaceae) (Fig. 2n)
Graphis disserpens Vain., Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn., ser. A,
15(6): 202. 1921.
Graphina disserpens (Vain.) Zahlbr., Cat. Lich. Univ. 2:
403. 1923.
Thallus: crustose, corticolous, yellowish-grey. Photobiont: a filamentous green algae (Trentepohlia). Apothecia:
lirellate, lirellae up to 4.5 mm long, simple to furcate,
straight to flexuose; exciple: basally yellow, slightly
expanded laterally and in upper part of labia; labia: with
3–8 sulci, sulci black, not covered by hyphal veil; spores:
5–11 septate, 2–36 (-48) 9 5–8 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, P-, C-, KC-, no lichen secondary metabolites.
Remarks: Graphis proserpens shows resemblance with
G. verrucoserpens but differs from the latter in having
smooth to uneven thallus and pantropical distribution.
Distribution: The species was recorded from M. esculenta in fringe strand of Dadeldhura community forest. The
species is previously reported from India, Brazil, China,
Costa Rica, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and
now first time reported from Nepal.
123
Author's personal copy
H. Rai et al.
Specimen examined: NEPAL: Far-western region,
Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest,
alt. 1705 m, on bark, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020872 (LWG).
14. Hafellia tetrapla (Nyl.) Pußwald in Marbach,
Biblioth. Lichenol. 74: 288. 2000. (Caliciaceae)
(Fig. 3a)
Lecidea tetrapla Nyl., Flora 69: 325. 1886.
Thallus: crustose, corticolous, smooth, areolate. Photobiont: a unicellular green alga. Apothecia: 0.5–1.00 mm
diam.; disc: plane, black; exciple and internal stipe: dark
brown; hymenium: inspersed with oil globules; spores:
Physconia type, 38–50.8 9 13–18.5 lm
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, P-, no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Remarks: Hafellia tetrapla shows resemblance with H.
dissa and H. pseudotetrapla but differs from them in
having olivaceous grey coloured thallus, four ascospores
per ascus, and somewhat smaller single septate spore.
Distribution: The species was recorded from R. arboreum
in natural strands of Dadeldhura community forest. This
species is previously known from India, Australia, Brazil,
Hawaii, New Zealand, South Africa, Réunion and Uruguay. It is a new record for Nepal lichen flora.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1716 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020812 (LWG).
15. Herpothallon isidiatum Jagadeesh and G.P. Sinha in
Jagadeesh et al.,Lichenologist 41(6): 611. 2009 (Arthoniaceae) (Fig. 3b)
Thallus: crustose, corticolous, epiphloeodal, tightly
attached, orbicular to suborbicular, or irregular, glaucous
grey to whitish grey, or pale grey, with scattered slightly
raised areas, with many calcium oxalate crystals;
hypothallus: white, below the thallus; prothallus: distinct,
whitish, byssoid, up to 15 mm wide. Photobiont: a filamentous green algae (Trentepohlia). Pseudoisidia: numerous, cylindrical, of the same colour as the thallus, scattered
to dense, with dark brown to black pycnidia at the tips,
usually simple, rarely branched and often coralloid.
Chemistry: Thallus K? yellow, C-, P? orange, I-,
KI-; stictic acid (major), constictic acid (minor), hypostictic and norstictic acids (trace) detected by TLC.
Remarks: Herpothallon isidiatum shows resemblance
with H. antillarum, H. australasicum, H. phillipinum and
H. nigroisidiatum but differs from them in having thallus
123
with larger cylindrical pseudoisidia and the presence of
stictic and constictic acids.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
Q. leucotrichophora in fringe strand of Dadeldhura community forest. The species is previously reported from
India and now first time reported from Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1796 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020894 (LWG).
16. Heterodermia albidiflava (Kurok.) D.D. Awasthi,
Geophytology 3: 113. 1973. (Physciaceae) (Fig. 3c)
Anaptychia albidiflava Kurokawa, Beih. Nova Hedwigia
6: 42. 1962.
Thallus: foliose, corticolous, to 7 cm across, lobate;
lobes: sub linear, to 2 mm wide, corticated on both sides;
upper side: grey, lacking isidia and soredia; lower side:
dark, rhizinate; medulla: yellow. Photobiont: a trebouxioid
alga.
Apothecia:
substipitate;
spores:
27.4–32.7 9 12–13 lm, lacking sporoblastidia.
Chemistry: Medulla K? red, C-, P? deep yellow;
Zeorin and an unknown substance present.
Remarks: Heterodermia albidiflava shows resemblance
with H. firmula but differs from the latter in having larger
thallus lobes and positive reaction of thallus medulla to P
(para-phenylenediamine), giving deep yellow colouration.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
Q. leucotrichophora in natural strands of Dadeldhura
community forest. The species is previously reported from
India and now first time reported from Nepal, rowing over
rock and bark.
Specimens examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1693 m, on rock, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020664 (LWG); alt. 1775 m, on bark, 5/18/2010,
Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020655 (LWG); alt.
1796 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020809, 10-0020899 (LWG); alt. 1775 m, on
bark, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag
10-0022302 (LWG).
17. Heterodermia hypochraea (Vain.) Swinscow and
Krog, Lichenologist 8: 119. 1976. (Physciaceae)
(Fig. 3d)
Anaptychia hypochraea Vainio, Bot. Mag., Tokyo 35:
59. 1921.
Thallus: foliose, corticolous, rosettiform, to 6 cm across,
branched; lobes: suberect, to 2 mm wide, corticated on
Author's personal copy
Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized Fungi from Nepal: A Signature of Undiscovered…
Fig. 3 a Hafellia tetrapla (Nyl.) Pußwald; b Herpothallon isidiatum
Jagadeesh and G.P. Sinha; c Heterodermia albidiflava (Kurok.) D.D.
Awasthi, d H. hypochraea (Vain.) Swinscow and Krog, e Hyperphyscia adglutinata (Flörke) H. Mayrhofer and Poelt, f Lecanora
luteomarginata Nayaka, Upreti and Lumbsch, g Myelochroa indica
(Hale) Elix and Hale, h Pyrenula complanata (Mont.) Trevis.,
i Pyxine berteriana (Fée) Imshaug, j Pyxine farinosa Kashiw.,
k Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) A. Massal., l Scytinium platynum (Tuck.)
Otalora, P. M. Jørg. and Wedin, m Verrucaria acrotella Ach.,
n Verrucaria margacea (Wahlenb.) Wahlenb., o Xanthoparmelia
australasica D.J. Galloway. Scale in n = 0.5 mm; in a, e, h, i,
k = 1 mm; in b, c, d, f, g, j, l, m, o = 2 mm
123
Author's personal copy
H. Rai et al.
upper side only; upper side: grey white, lacking isidia and
soredia; lower side: white to yellow–brown with marginal
rhizines. Photobiont: a trebouxioid alga. Apothecia: not
present.
Chemistry: Medulla K- or pigmented part K? violet,
P? pale yellow or P-. Zeorin and unknown pigment
present.
Remarks: Heterodermia hypochraea shows resemblance
with H. microphylla but differs from the latter in having
thallus lobes lacking lobules along margins and lower side
yellow–brown pigmented.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
Q. leucotrichophora in natural strands of Dadeldhura
community forest. The species is previously reported from
India, China, Japan, Taiwan; Africa, South America and is
a new record to Nepal.
Specimens examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1808 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0022314 (LWG); alt. 1796 m, on bark, 5/17/2010,
Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-002808 (LWG).
18. Hyperphyscia adglutinata (Flörke) H. Mayrhofer and
Poelt, Herzogia 5: 62. 1979. (Physciaceae) (Fig. 3e)
Lecanora adglutinata Fltirke. Deutsche Lich. gessam.
Anmerk. IV, Lief Rostoch.: 7.1819.
Thallus: foliose, corticolous, to 2 cm across; lobes 2 mm
wide, laminally sorediate; soralia: maculiform, capitate or
globose; medulla: white. Photobiont: a trebouxioid alga.
Specimen sterile. Pycnoconidia: 12–19 9 1 lm.
Chemistry: cortex and medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-;
Traces of skyrin sometimes present.
Remarks: Hyperphyscia adglutinata shows resemblance
with H. minor but differs from the latter in having thallus
lacking hypothallus and white coloured medulla.
Distribution: The species was reported from Q. leucotrichophora in fringe strand of Dadeldhura community forest.
The species is earlier reported from India, Australia,
Bhutan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Africa, Europe, North
America and is a new record to Nepal.
Specimen examined: NEPAL: Far-western region,
Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest,
alt. 1817 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0022323, 10-0022312 (LWG).
19. Lecanora luteomarginata Nayaka, Upreti and Lumbsch, Lichenologist 38(5): 421. 2006. (Lecanoraceae)
(Fig. 3f)
123
Thallus: crustose, saxicolous, smooth, thin, areolate,
whitish grey to greyish brown. Photobiont: Trebouxia.
Apothecia: frequent, sessile, constricted at base,
0.5–1.8 mm,; disc: dark brown to black, shiny, concave;
margin: prominent, smooth, entire; amphithecium: with
small and large crystals (=melacarpella-type); parathecium: hyaline; hymenium: hyaline, 50–60 lm high; asci:
clavate, 30–35 9 6–8 lm; spores: 8 per asci (rarely seen),
smaller, with obtuse ends, ellipsoidal, 5–8 9 3–4 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus and apothecial margin K? yellow,
C-, KC? yellow, PD-; Arthothelin, atranorin, chloroatranorin, thiophanic acid and traces of unidentified terpenes.
Remarks: Lecanora luteomarginata shows resemblance
with L. hensseniae but differs from the latter in having dark
brown apothecia with bright yellow margin, melacarpellatype amphithecia and glabrata-type epihymenia.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
siliceous rock in natural strands of Dadeldhura community
forest. The species is previously reported from India and
now first time reported from Nepal.
Specimens examined: NEPAL: Far-western region,
Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest,
alt. 1914 m, on rock, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020672 (LWG); alt. 1648 m, on rock, 5/18/
2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020673 (LWG).
20. Leptogium platynum (Tuck.) Herre, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci. 12: 144. 1910. (Collemataceae) (Fig. 3g)
Leptogium californicum var. platynum Tuc., Syn.
N. Amer. Lich. 1:159. 1882.
Thallus: foliose, corticolous, loosely adnate, to 3 cm
across; lobes: 4–6 mm wide; upper side: dark grey to
brown-black, wrinkled; lower side: paler, wrinkled, etomentose. Photobiont: a blue green algae (Nostoc).
Apothecia: to 1.8 mm in diam.; thalline exciple: wrinkled;
proper exciple: euparaplectenchymatous throughout;
spores: muriform with 4–6 transverse and 1–2 longitudinal
septa, ellipsoid to subfusiform, 34–48 9 10–15 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, P-; no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Remarks: Leptogium platynum shows resemblance with
L. corniculatum but differs from the latter in having thallus
lobes not tufted and not corniculate at apices, margin
fringed and wrinkles acute.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
Q. leucotrichophora in fringe strands of Dadeldhura community forest. The species is earlier reported from India
and North America and it is a new record to Nepal.
Author's personal copy
Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized Fungi from Nepal: A Signature of Undiscovered…
Specimen examined: NEPAL: Far-western region,
Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest,
alt. 1796 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020641 (LWG).
21. Myelochroa indica (Hale) Elix and Hale, Mycotaxon
29: 241. 1987. (Parmeliaceae) (Fig. 3h)
Parmelina indica Hale, Smithsonian Contr. Bot. 33: 34.
1976.
Thallus: foliose, saxicolous, adnate, to 4 cm across;
lobes: to 2 mm wide, margins ciliate; upper side: whitish
grey; isidiate; isidia: cylindrical to inflated simple to
branched; lower side: rhizinate; medulla white. Photobiont:
Trebouxia. Apothecia: not present.
Chemistry: Medulla K-, C-, KC-, P-; Zeorin, leucotylin, and associated terpenes present.
Remarks: Myelochroa indica shows resemblance with M.
perisidians but differs from the latter in having thallus with
white coloured medulla and negative reaction to K (10 %
solution of potassium hydroxide).
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
Q. leucotrichophora fringe strand of Dadeldhura community forest. The species is previously reported from India
and South Korea. It is a new record to Nepal lichen flora.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1805 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0022327 (LWG).
22. Pyrenula complanata (Mont.) Trevis., Cat. Lich.
Univ. 1: 433. 1922. (Pyrenulaceae) (Fig. 3i)
Verrucaria interducta Stirt., Proc. Phil. Soc. Glasgow
13: 191. 1881.
Thallus: corticolous, crustose, epiphloeodal, buff, shining; hypothallus: indistinct. Photobiont: a filamentous
green algae (Trentepohlia). Ascocarp: solitary or 2–5
aggregated, verruca forming, 0.6–1.0 mm in diameter,
hemispherical, completely immersed in thalline verrucae,
only a small portion around ostiole emerging, covered
withdull black; ostioles: indistinct; perithecium: black and
carbonaceous, not spreading laterally; spores: 8 per ascus,
uni or biseriate in ascus, brown, 4—locular, oblong-ellipsoid, 31–50 9 12–20 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, C-, P-; no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Remarks: Pyrenula complanata shows resemblance with
P. media but differs from the latter in having thin thallus,
larger ascospore and pantropic distribution.
Distribution: The species was reported from twig of a
shrub in natural forest strand of Dadeldhura community
forest. The species is previously reported from India,
Australia and South America. It is a new record for Nepal
lichen flora.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1843 m, on twig, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020638 (LWG).
23. Pyxine berteriana (Fée) Imshaug, Trans. Amer.
Microscop. Soc. 76(3): 254. 1957. (Physciaceae)
(Fig. 3j)
Circinaria berteriana Fee, Ess. Cryptog. Ecorc. Exot.
Offic.: 128. 1824.
Thallus: foliose, corticolous, lobes: 0.5–1.2 mm wide;
upper side: greenish to yellowish grey; pseudocyphellae:
marginal, linear to subreticulate; isidia and soredia absent;
medulla yellowish. Photobiont: Trebouxia. Apothecia:
1.5 mm in diam.; margin thalline or black; internal stipe:
colourless to brown, K-; spores: 15–22 9 6–8 lm.
Chemistry: Upper cortex UV? yellow; medulla K- or
K? reddish, P-. Lichexanthone and triterpenes present.
Remarks: Pyxine berteriana shows resemblance with P
berteriana var. himalaica but differs from the latter in
having thallus lobe tips with diffused pruina, and
hypothecium giving negative reaction to K (10 % solution
of potassium hydroxide).
Distribution: The species is previously reported from India
Australia, Nepal and Sri Lanka; tropical regions of Africa,
Central and South America. It is a new record to Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1775 m, on Q. leucotrichophora bark, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020633 (LWG).
24. Pyxine farinosa Kashiw. Bull. Natl. Sci. Mus.
Tokyo, B, 3(2): 67. 1977. (Physciaceae) (Fig. 3k)
Pyxine linearis R.W. Rogers, Aust. J. Bot. 34(2): 143.
1986.
Pyxine retirugella f. sorediosa Müll. Arg., Bull. Herb.
Boissier 4(App. 1): 91.1896.
Thallus: foliose, corticolous, to 5 cm across; lobes to
1.5 mm wide, wavy in outline; upper side: greyish, maculae laminal, turning into pseudo-cyphellae; soralia: laminal, orbicular-capitate to cup shaped, as wide as lobes;
soredia: farinose to yellowish; meduIla yellow. Photobiont:
Trebouxia. Specimen sterile.
123
Author's personal copy
H. Rai et al.
Chemistry: Upper cortex UV-; meduIla K-, C-, P-;
Triterpenes and pigment present.
Remarks: Pyxine farinosa shows resemblance with P.
retirugella, P. asiatica and P. reticulata but differs from
them in having thallus medulla with yellow colouration and
negative reaction to K (10 % solution of potassium
hydroxide), P (para-phenylenediamine) and C (strong
solution of sodium hypochlorite).
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
Q. leucotrichophora in natural strands of Dadeldhura
community forest. The species is previously reported from
India, Papua New Guinea and Thailand and it is a new
record to Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1808 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020817 (LWG).
25. Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) A. Massal. Ricerch.
Auton. Lich. Crost. 14: 1852 (Physciaceae) (Fig. 3l)
Lichen sophodes Ach., Lich. Suc. Prodrom. 67: 1798.
Thallus: corticolous, crustose, pale greyish to olive
brown in small patches, irregularly cracked, flat, determinate, verrucose-areolate; prothallus: dark, thin, entire.
Photobiont: a unicellular green alga. Apothecia:
0.5–1.0 mm diam., ±immersed, sometimes becoming
±sessile, frequent; spores: 13–16 9 7–8 lm. Easily overlooked due to its small size, on smooth, nutrient-rich bark.
Chemistry: K-, P-, C-, KC-; no lichen secondary
metabolites.
Remarks: Rinodina sophodes shows resemblance with R.
mackenziei, R. exigua, and R. intrusa but differs from them
in having grey coloured, verrucose-areolate thallus, cortex
I (iodine) positive-blue and absence of lichen substances.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
Q. leucotrichophora in fringe secondary scrubland of
Dadeldhura community forest. The species is previously
reported from India, temperate and frigid regions and it is a
new record to Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1817 m, on bark, 5/17/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020881 (LWG).
26. Verrucaria acrotella Ach.Method. Lich.: 123. 1803.
(Verrucariaceae) (Fig. 3m)
Thallus: saxicolous, crustose, dark brown to brown–
black, epilithic. Photobiont: a green alga (Chlorococcoid).
123
Ascocarps: perithecia, 1–3 per areole, subglobose,
0.1–0.15 mm diam., immersed; peridium: covered by
involucrellum; involucrellum: extending to exciple base
level and slightly incurved beneath, broadening to
40–60 lm thick at base; periphyses: c. 20 lm long and
2.5–4 lm thick; asci: clavate, 8-spored spores: simple,
colourless, ellipsoid to ovoid, 11–21 9 7–10 lm.
Remarks: Verrucaria acrotella shows resemblance with
V. coerulea but differs from the latter in having dark brown
thallus and larger perithecia.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, P-, C-, KC-; no lichen secondary metabolites.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
siliceous rock in an abandon agriculture land. The species
is previously reported from India, Europe, North America
and is a new record to Nepal.
Specimen examined: NEPAL: Far-western region,
Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest,
alt. 1693 m, on rock over soil, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai
and Pramod Nag 10-0020674 (LWG).
27. Verrucaria margacea (Wahlenb.) Wahlenb. Fl.
Lappon.: 465. 1812. (Verrucariaceae) (Fig. 3n)
Thelotrema margaceum Wahlenb. in Ach., Methodus
Suppl.: 30. 1803.
Thallus: saxicolous, crustose,continuous or broken up,
thinning at margin, irregularly rimose to areolate especially
in fertile parts, thin, subgelatinous when wet; areoles:
plane, 0.3–0.5 mm wide; surface: dark olive gray to
greenish brown, smooth, dull. Photobiont: a green alga
(Chlorococcoid). Ascocarps: Perithecia immersed in lensshaped to hemispherical swellings of the thallus with apices slightly emergent or with a broader upper part naked;
exciple: subglobose; involucrellum: extending (almost)
down to the base-level of the perithecium; asci: clavate,
80–100 9 20–30 lm, 8-spored; spores: hyaline, simple,
ellipsoid, (22–) 25–35 9 10–14 lm.
Chemistry: Thallus K-, P-, C-, KC-; no lichen secondary metabolites.
Remarks: Verrucaria margacea shows resemblance with
V. coerulea and V. acrotella but differs from them in
having greenish-grey thallus, larger perithecia, colourless
peridium, involucrellum spreading laterally and larger
spore size.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
sandstone rock in natural strands of Dadeldhura community
forest. The species is earlier reported from India, Europe,
Asia, North America, New Guinea, Australia, and New
Author's personal copy
Twenty-Eight New Records of Lichenized Fungi from Nepal: A Signature of Undiscovered…
Zealand, montane areas of Arizona and southern California
and it is a new record to Nepal.
Specimens examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1648 m, on rock, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020673 B (LWG); alt. 1648 m, on rock, 5/18/
2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag 10-0020667 (LWG).
28. Xanthoparmelia australasica D.J. Galloway, New
Zealand J. Bot. 18: 531 1980. (Parmeliaceae) (Fig. 3o)
Parmelia australasica (D.J. Galloway) Filson, Austral.
J. Bot. 30: 519. 1982.
Thallus: saxicolous, 4–7 cm across; lobes: sublinear,
1.5–5 mm wide; upper side: yellow-green, isidiate; isidia:
dense, cylindrical, simple to coralloid branched, black
tipped; lower side: black, sparsely rhizinate. Photobiont: a
green alga. Specimen sterile.
Chemistry: Medulla K? yellow turning red, C-, P?
orange; Salazinic, consalazinic and traces of norstictic
acids present.
Remarks: Xanthoparmelia australasica shows resemblance with X. pseudocongensis and X. conspersa but differs from them in having thallus medulla with salazinic
acid.
Ecology and distribution: The species was reported from
siliceous rocks in the natural strands of Dadeldhura community forest. The species is earlier reported from India,
Africa, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand
and it is a new record to Nepal.
Specimen examined: Nepal: Far-western region, Mahakali zone, Dadeldhura, Dadeldhura community forest, alt.
1843 m, on rock, 5/18/2010, Himanshu Rai and Pramod
Nag 10-0020663, 10-0020830 (LWG).
The diversity of reported 28 new records of lichens from
Dadeldhura, from far west Nepal, was distributed in 13
families and 4 growth forms (supplementary Table S1).
Physciaceae dominated with 6 species whereas crustose (15
spp.) growth forms were recorded in maximum followed
by foliose (10 spp.) growth forms. Q. leucotrichophora
harbored maximum new records (12 spp.). Bark-corticolous lichens dominated the list, where as one terricolous
lichen [Cladonia coniocraea (Flörke) Spreng.] was recorded from biological soil crust.
The study reveals the importance of community forests
in biodiversity conservation in Nepal which harbor native
vegetation of the region. The presence of terricolous lichen
(Cladonia coniocraea) on biological soil crust (BSC) at
relatively lower elevation than other parts of Himalaya,
suggests minimal zoo-anthropogenic pressures as
development of lichen dominated BSCs needs stable substrate conditions [44, 45]. The presence of cyanolichens in
new records, suggest lower nitrogen deposition from
anthropogenic sources and stable temperate humid climate
at the mid elevation of the study area, providing conducive
physiological conditions for their growth [44].
Conclusion
The discovery of twenty-eight new records of lichenised
fungi from a single location suggests lichenologically
poorly explored status of the region. The study hereby
highlights the unexplored lichen diversity in central
Himalaya and suggests man managed community forests
an important component for diversity studies in the
region.
Acknowledgments Authors are grateful to Director CSIR-NBRI for
providing necessary laboratory facilities for curation and identification of lichen samples. Authors Himanshu Rai and Pramod Nag are
thankful to the government/Nepalese army officials and people of
Dadeldhura for facilitating the collection of lichen samples.
Compliance with Ethical Standards
Conflict of interest
of interest.
The authors declare that they have no conflict
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Species
Acarospora fusca B. de Lesd.
Arthonia recedens Stirt.
Bacidia subannexa (Nyl.) Zahlbr.
Buellia aethalea (Ach.) Th. Fr.
Buellia disciformis (Fr.) Mudd
Buellia disjecta Zahlbr.
Canoparmelia pustulescens (Kurok.) Elix
Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) J.R. Laundon
Cladonia coniocraea (Flörke) Spreng.
Collema cristatum (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg.
Endocarpon subrosettum Ajay Singh & Upreti
Graphis chlorotica A. Massals
Graphis proserpens Vain.
Hafellia tetrapla (Nyl.) Pußwald
Herpothallon isidiatum Jagadeesh & G.P. Sinha
Heterodermia albidiflava (Kurok.) D.D. Awasthi
Heterodermia hypochraea (Vain.) Swinscow & Krog
Hyperphyscia adglutinata (Flörke) H. Mayrhofer & Poelt
Lecanora luteomarginata Nayaka, Upreti & Lumbsch
Leptogium platynum (Tuck.) Herre
Myelochroa indica (Hale) Elix & Hale
Pyrenula complanata (Mont.) Trevis.
Pyxine berteriana (Fée) Imshaug
Pyxine farinosa Kashiw.
Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) A. Massal.
Verrucaria acrotella Ach.
Verrucaria margacea (Wahlenb.) Wahlenb.
Xanthoparmelia australasica D.J. Galloway
S.No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Parmeliaceae
Verrucariaceae
Verrucariaceae
Physciaceae
Physciaceae
Physciaceae
Pyrenulaceae
Parmeliaceae
Collemataceae
Lecanoraceae
Physciaceae
Physciaceae
Physciaceae
Arthoniaceae
Caliciaceae
Graphidaceae
Graphidaceae
Verrucariaceae
Collemataceae
Cladoniaceae
Chrysothrichaceae
Parmeliaceae
Caliciaceae
Caliciaceae
Caliciaceae
Ramalinaceae
Arthoniaceae
Acarosporaceae
Family
Foliose
Crustose
Crustose
Crustose
Foliose
Foliose
Crustose
Foliose
Foliose
Crustose
Foliose
Foliose
Foliose
Crustose
Crustose
Crustose
Crustose
Squamulose
Foliose
Dimorphic
Crustose-Leprose
Foliose
Crustose
Crustose
Crustose
Crustose
Crustose
Squamulose
Growth forms
Saxicolous
Saxicolous
Saxicolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Saxicolous
Corticolous
Saxicolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Saxicolous
Saxicolous
Terricolous
Corticolous
Saxicolous
Corticolous
Corticolous
Saxicolous
Corticolous
Corticolous (ramicolous)
Saxicolous
Substratum
Table S1: A conspectus of family, growth forms, substratum, and phorophytes of new records of lichens from Dadeldhura, far west Nepal.
-
-
-
Quercus leucotrichophora
Quercus leucotrichophora
Quercus leucotrichophora
Shrub
Quercus leucotrichophora
Quercus leucotrichophora
-
Quercus leucotrichophora
Quercus leucotrichophora
Quercus leucotrichophora
Quercus leucotrichophora
Rhododendron arboreum
Myrica esculenta
Quercus leucotrichophora
-
-
-
Quercus leucotrichophora
-
Pinus roxburghii
Pinus roxburghii
-
Quercus leucotrichophora
Citrus plant
-
Phorophyte