Abstract
This is the first attempt to provide an overview of the lichen diversity of the Alps, one of the biogegraphically most important and emblematic mountain systems worldwide. The checklist includes all lichenised species, plus a set of non- or doubtfully lichenised taxa frequently treated by lichenologists, excluding non-lichenised lichenicolous fungi. Largely based on recent national or regional checklists, it provides a list of all infrageneric taxa (with synonyms) hitherto reported from the Alps, with data on their distribution in eight countries (Austria, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland) and in 42 Operational Geographic Units, mostly corresponding to administrative subdivisions within the countries. Data on the main substrates and on the altitudinal distribution are also provided. A short note points to the main ecological requirements of each taxon and/or to open taxonomic problems. Particularly poorly known taxa are flagged and often provided with a short description, to attract the attention of specialists. The total number of infrageneric taxa is 3,163, including 117 non- or doubtfully lichenised taxa. The richness of the lichen biota fairly well corresponds with the percent of the Alpine area occupied by each country: Austria (2,337 taxa), Italy (2,169), France (2,028), Switzerland (1,835), Germany (1,168), Slovenia (890) and Lichtenstein (152), no lichen having ever been reported from Monaco. The number of poorly known taxa is quite high (604, 19.1% of the total), which indicates that, in spite of the Alps being one of the lichenologically most studied mountain systems worldwide, much work is still needed to reach a satisfactory picture of their real lichen diversity. Thirteen new combinations are proposed in the genera Agonimia, Aspicilia, Bagliettoa, Bellemerea, Carbonea, Lepra, Miriquidica, Polysporina, Protothelenella, Pseudosagedia and Thelidium.
Highlights
The total number of infrageneric taxa is 3,163, including 117 non- or doubtfully lichenised taxa
The richness of the lichen biota fairly well corresponds with the percent of the Alpine area occupied by each country: Austria (2,337 taxa), Italy (2,169), France (2,028), Switzerland (1,835), Germany (1,168), Slovenia (890) and Lichtenstein (152), no lichen having ever been reported from Monaco
The Alps are the mountain system which was explored with more continuity by botanists, zoologists and mycologists, including lichenologists
Summary
Checklists summarise, in a more or less critical way, the hitherto known information on the biodiversity of a given group of organisms in a given area. Fr: AHP, AMa, Drô, Isè, HSav, Var, Vau. It: Frl, Ven, TAA, Lomb, Piem, VA, Lig. Sl: SlA, Tg. L # – Subs.: cal – Alt.: 5–6 – Note: a taxon with small spores, only known from the type locality in the Italian Alps where it was found on fissures of marble. Fr: AHP, HAl, AMa, Sav. It: Frl, TAA, Lomb, Piem, VA, Lig. L – Subs.: sil-par – Alt.: 5 – Note: an arctic to nemoral-alpine species with a greyishyellow thallus (rhizocarpic acid absent!), a non-amyloid medulla, and 1-septate ascospores (to 15 μm long); on siliceous boulders, obligately parasitic on Tremolecia atrata, with records from the Eastern Alps only (Austria).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.