Tropical Plant Research

Tropical Plant Research

An International Journal by Society for Tropical Plant Research

ISSN (E): 2349-1183 ISSN (P): 2349-9265
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2016, VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3Pages: 694-700

Lichens in 50 ha permanent plot of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, India

Komal K. Ingle, Sanjeeva Nayaka* and H. S. Suresh
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Abstract:
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is a protected area located in the Tamil Nadu state within the track of Western Ghats. The very popular, permanent 50 ha 'Mudumalai Forest Dynamics Plot' is situated in Compartment 17 of the Kargudi Range in the sanctuary. The sanctuary has rich diversity of vascular plants while information regarding cryptogams is scarce. Recently, 10th plot of 50 ha plot was visited for lichen study and it was noticed that the trunks of the trees did not support any lichens. However, luxuriant growths of lichens were observed on the fallen twigs indicating their presence in the canopy. The identification of these lichens revealed the occurrence of 66 species belonging to 27 genera and 16 families. The crustose lichens are dominant in the area with 32 species which is followed by foliose with 27 species. The lichen family Physciaceae is most diverse in the plot with 6 genus and 16 species, while Pertusaria with 15 species is the most dominant genus. Among the trees growing within the plot, Terminalia crenulata harboured maximum number of 39 species of lichens. Parmotrema tinctorum, P. crinitum, Pertusaria concinna and Pyxine coralligera are the most common lichens in the plot. There are as many as 28 rare lichens in the plot with one time encounter.
Some common lichen species reported from the study area: A, Dirinaria consimilis; B, Heterodermia dissecta; C, H. speciosa; D, Lecanora perplexa; E, Parmotrema crinitum; F, P. tinctorum; G, Pertusaria concinna; H, Pyxine coralligera. [Scale bars: A–F = 2 mm; G & H = 1 mm]

Fig.: Some common lichen species reported from the study area: A, Dirinaria consimilis; B, Heterodermia dissecta; C, H. speciosa; D, Lecanora perplexa; E, Parmotrema crinitum; F, P. tinctorum; G, Pertusaria concinna; H, Pyxine coralligera. [Scale bars: A–F = 2 mm; G & H = 1 mm]


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