Crustose Calicioid Lichens and Fungi in Mountain Cloud Forests of Tanzania.

Stella Gilbert Temu,Donatha Damian Tibuhwa,Sanja Tibell,Leif Tibell

doi:10.3390/microorganisms7110491

Stella Gilbert Temu, Donatha Damian Tibuhwa + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7110491

Copy DOI

Journal: Microorganisms	Publication Date: Oct 26, 2019
Citations: 3	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Uppsala University, University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

A total of 26 crustose calicioid lichens and fungi were found in Tanzania. Most of them belong to a group of species with wide distributions in cool areas of both hemispheres and occasional occurrence in high mountains at low latitudes. In Tanzania calicioids mainly occur in the middle and upper forest zones and their niches are found on the bark of old trees and on lignum, most of them restricted to mountain cloud forests. Calicioids are rare and often red-listed, and are also bioindicators of long forest continuity. Consequently, they form an important biota in mountain cloud forests and deserve attention in the context of preserving biodiversity and developing conservation policies. One new species, Chaenothecopsis kilimanjaroensis, is described. Chaenotheca hispidula and Pyrgillus cambodiensis are reported as new to Africa and Calicium lenticulare and Chaenothecopsis debilis are reported as new to Tanzania.

Highlights

Calicioid lichens and fungi represent an artificial, antiquated concept and not a natural grouping of species
Very early on the “Calicioidea” [1,2,3] were recognized as a group characterized by having a mazaedium and typically they were crustose lichens with stalked fruit bodies
Minute fungi with apothecia superficially similar to those originally included in the “Calicioidea” came to be added, for example, genera like Chaenothecopsis Vain. and Stenocybe Nyl. ex Körb., both of which later were transferred to Mycocaliciales [6]

Summary

Introduction

Calicioid lichens and fungi represent an artificial, antiquated concept and not a natural grouping of species. Very early on the “Calicioidea” [1,2,3] were recognized as a group characterized by having a mazaedium (mature spores being collected on the surface of the fruit body) and typically they were crustose lichens with stalked fruit bodies. With this circumscription, they were later to be considered a prime example of a natural group, often ranked as an order, Caliciales [4]. They are mainly rare and threatened by habitat destruction—usually forest management—and, often included in Red lists [13]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion