Aportes al conocimiento de la biota liquénica del oasis de neblina de Alto Patache, Desierto de Atacama

Abstract

Fog oases are zones along the Atacama Desert where the regular input of fog favors the development of rich communities of vascular plants, becoming biodiversity hotspots. In these areas, the lichen biota has been poorly explored and represents one of the most conspicuous elements among the perennials organisms that form the community. In a previous study of the lichen biota of the fog oasis at Alto Patache 7 species were report ed. With the intent of update this information, lichen richness was assessed following 2 altitudinal transects at different aspects of the coastal bluff. Here we present preliminary data indicating the presence of 77 species. Of these, 61 species are new records for the Tarapaca Region, and the species Amandinea efflorescens, Diploicia canescens, Myrio- spora smaragdula and Rhizocarpon simillimum are new records for the Chilean lichen flora. Alto Patache is also acknowledged as the sole locality for Santessonia cervicornis, an endemic Critically Endangered species.