Philippine Journal of Science
142:(3) 199-210, Special Issue
ISSN 0031 - 7683
New Lichen Records and A Catalogue of Lichens from Palawan Island, The Philippines
H. J. M. Sipman*1, P. Diederich2 and A. Aptroot3
1Botanischer Garten & Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem
Freie Universität, Königin-Luise-Str. 6-8
D-14195 Berlin, Germany
2Musée national d’histoire naturelle
25, rue Munster, L-2160 Luxembourg, Luxemburg
3Gerrit van der Veenstraat 107
3763 XK Soest, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT
A catalogue of 162 species of lichenized and lichenicolous fungi is presented for the island of Palawan in The Philippines. It includes 53 species not recorded before from the country. Evidence is given that this is only a small portion of all lichen species occurring on the island, which may be over 500. Endemism or phytogeographically relevant occurrences are not recognized with certainty. The observation of the species dates mostly from two periods, 1911-1913 and 1991-1994, with greatly different results. Foliicolous lichens seem to have strongly decreased since 1913, while thelotremoid lichens, indicators for ecological continuity of forests,seem not reduced.
INTRODUCTION
The island Palawan, with its many smaller, associated islets, has an isolated position in the archipelago of The Philippines. Away from the main chain of islands, it forms a side-chain connecting Luzon and Mindoro with northern Borneo. This gives Palawan a special phytogeographical interest and makes biodiversity inventories particularly promising. Unfortunately not much primary vegetation is left today and most of the land is or has been used for shifting cultivation. The least disturbed vegetation is probably present in the mountains, in particular on Mt. Mantalingahan, reaching 2086 m, which unfortunately remain largely unexplored lichenologically.. . . . . . . . . . read more
