Lichenological studies 1n Ecuador

Resumen

Abstract The lichen flora of mainland Ecuador is still insufficiently known. For the purposes of collecting material, four expeditions were undertaken during the period 1972-1985. The herbarium at GB now comprisesc. 10 000 lichen specimens from Ecuador, of which the majority are epiphytic macrolichens. About 160 genera have been identified so far. The collecting work was concentrated in the Andes, particularly in forests between 1000 and 4000 m altitude. The lower montane rainforest (800-2500 m), the cloud forest (2500-3400 m), and the grass paramo (3400-4000 m) are especially rich in lichens. The most important macrolichen genera of these zones are: Sticta, Leptogium, Erioderma, Lobaria, Usnea, Coccocarpia, Pseudocyphellaria, Everniastrum, Hypotrachyna, Heterodermia, and Parmotrema. It is premature to present a detailed survey of the phytogeography of the area. Apart from cosmopolitan taxa, the lichen flora of Ecuador includes neotropical, pantropical, American-African, circum-Pacific, and southern, and northern temperate elements. Examples of lichens found in some selected habitats are given and many lichens are recorded here for the first time from Ecuador.