LICHENS AND LICHENICOLOUS FUNGI OF NATIONAL NATURE PARKS «NYZHNOSULSKY» AND «PYRYATYNSKY»

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, the protected areas of the Poltava region remain poorly understood. Purpose. This is a comprehensive study of the lichens and lichenicolous fungi on the territory of two National Nature Parks (NNPs). Methods. Collecting was carried out by the route­expedition method. Lichens and lichenicolous fungi were identifid in accordance with a standard procedure. Results. NNP «Nyzhnyo sulsky» was represented by 54 species of the lichens and 6 species of the lichenico lous fungi. 55 species of the lichens and 4 species of the lichenicolous fungi were found on the territory of the NNP «Pyryatynsky». Corticolous lichens are dominant ecological groups in both National Nature Parks. 50 corticolous species (92 %) were found in NNP «Nyzhnyosulsky» and 46 species (82 %) were found in NNP «Pyryatynsky». These species are confied to the growth on the bark of the hardwood trees, especially Betula, Populus, Robinia and Quercus. The mature oaks are the most valuable lichen habitat in the parks. Such species as Arthonia mediella, Bacidia rubella, Caloplaca obscurella, Candelariella faginea, Chaenotheca trichialis, Dimerella pineti, Graphis scripta, Pachyphiale carneola have been found rarely on the oak bark on the plain part of Ukraine. Among them A.mediella, C. obscurella and D. pineti are first time reported for the Left­Bank Forest­Steppe zone of Ukraine. The bark of Populus nigra is a habitat for a few rare species, such as Arthrosporum populorum, Lecania fuscella, Piccolia ochrophora and Rinodina pityrea. Rare species in Ukrainian plain A. cinereopruinosa, Buellia griseovirens, Lecanora symmicta, Parmeliopsis ambigua, Trapeliosis granulosa, Vulpicida pinastri were found on the bark of Betula verru cosa in NNP «Pyryatynsky». A. cinereopruinosa is a new one for Left Bank ForestSteppe zone. Seven species of lichens (A. populorum, B. griseovirens, P. argena, P. ochrophora, R. pityrea, T. granulosa, X. candelaria) and three species of li chenicolous fungi (Athelia arachnoidea, Erythricium aurantiacum, Xanthoriicola physciae) are first time reported for the Poltava region. Terricolous lichens such as Bacidia bagliettoana, Diploschistes muscorum, Mycobilimbia subulatorum and Peltigera didactуla are usually associated with weakly overgrown slopes of the ravines and beams. Terricolous lichens B. bagliettoana and P. didactyla are vulnerable in lowland landscapes of Ukraine and need to be protected at the local level. Lichenicolous fungi Pronectria diplococca on En chylium tenax and Homostegia piggotii on Parmelia sulcata are new for Left Bank Forest Steppe zone. Conclusion. Thus, the species diversity of lichens of both NPPs is typical of the forest steppe zone and needs to be protected.