Abstract
The present study tested the hypothesis that species richness and composition of epiphytic microlichens can be used to support the phytosociological differentiation between Caatinga and Brejos de Altitude, as exemplified by the Muralha Reserve (Caatinga) and the Parque Estadual Mata do Pau Ferro (Brejo de Altitude), in the state of Paraiba, Brazil. A total of 755 lichen samples were collected, comprising 18 families, 42 genera and 111 species of epiphytic, corticolous microlichens. Overall species richness was higher in the Caatinga, with 67 species, compared to the Brejo, with 46 species. Species richness per sample was significantly higher in the Caatinga compared to the Brejo. Taxonomic composition also differed significantly between the two areas, with Arthoniaceae, Caliciaceae, Chrysothrichaceae, Graphidaceae (particularly Graphis), Lecanoraceae, Mycoporaceae, Pertusariaceae, and Trypetheliaceae being dominant in, or exclusive to, the Caatinga, whereas Coenogoniaceae, Graphidaceae (Diorygma, Fissurina, Myriotrema, Ocellularia, Phaeographis, Sarcographa), Malmideaceae, Porinaceae and Strigulaceae were dominant in, or exclusive to, the Brejo. Five new species were discovered as result of this study. This is the first study to quantitatively compare richness and community patterns of epiphytic microlichens between two major biomes in Northeastern Brazil, and the first detailed lichen study in the state of Paraiba.
Highlights
Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus and one or more species of algae or cyanobacteria (Nash III 2008)
The present study tested the hypothesis that species richness and composition of epiphytic microlichens can be used to support the phytosociological differentiation between Caatinga and Brejos de Altitude, as exemplified by the Muralha Reserve (Caatinga) and the Parque Estadual Mata do Pau Ferro (Brejo de Altitude), in the state of Paraíba, Brazil
Species richness per locality differed for the two areas, with the higher number of species found in the Muralha Reserve (Caatinga), with a total of 67, and 46 species reported for the Parque Estadual Mata do Pau Ferro, the Brejo de
Summary
Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus and one or more species of algae or cyanobacteria (Nash III 2008). Lichenization is a successful evolutionary strategy that has resulted in a rich diversity of fungal species (Grube & Kroken 2000). Due to peculiar morphological and ecophysiological characteristics which are a result of the symbiotic relation, lichenized fungi are found almost in all terrestrial ecosystems (Umaña & Sipman 2002; Lakatos et al 2006), in most habitats from the tropics to the Polar Regions (Nash III 2008), in environments where they would be unable to live if non-lichenized (Chaparro & Ceballos 2002). Substrate features and abiotic factors have been shown to influence the distribution and occurrence of lichen species (Purvis 2000; Aptroot & Herk 2007; Dyer & Letourneau 2007; Käffer et al 2007; 2010; 2015; Bunnell et al 2008; Mezaka et al 2008; Morales et al 2009)
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