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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

New records of lichenised fungi from southeastern part of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13272
Submitted
19 December 2025
Published
25-05-2026 — Updated on 03-07-2026
Versions

Abstract

The Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Odisha is renowned for its rich tropical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, making it an important biodiversity hotspot, particularly for lichens, which have been underrepresented in scientific documentation. This study was conducted in the southeastern region of the reserve between 2019 and 2020, involving collections from the habitats of tree bark and rocks followed by detailed taxonomic analysis. The research identified fourteen species of lichenised fungi previously unrecorded in Odisha, significantly enhancing the regional understanding of lichen biodiversity. These species were categorised into eight families, including a genus from the order Arthoniales. The newly documented species are Astrothelium bullatum, Astrothelium scoria, Astrothelium subdiscretum, Bactrospora arthonioides, Bactrospora paludicola, Fissurina insidiosa, Graphis balaghatensis, Graphis cervina, Hemithecium flavoalbum, Lepraria cupressicola, Malmidea atlantica, Oxneriopsis bassiae, Phyllopsora corallina and Porina nigrofusca. Each species comes with detailed morphological and anatomical descriptions, accompanied by photographic illustrations for identification. These findings not only deepen the understanding of lichen diversity in eastern India but also highlight the biogeographical importance of Similipal as a reservoir for unique fungal species. The research indicates that tropical regions like Similipal may contain numerous undiscovered taxa. Future work should emphasize systematic long-term surveys, molecular phylogenetic studies for improved taxonomic accuracy and ecological assessments to better understand the impacts of habitat changes and climate on lichens

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