Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 August 2026 | 18(8): 29493–29506

 

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) 

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10608.18.8.29493-29506

#10608 | Received 13 April 2026 | Final received 13 July 2026| Finally accepted 24 July 2026

 

 

Lichen diversity of Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas of Himachal Pradesh, India

 

Anupma Devi 1 , Gaurav K. Mishra 2     & Manjoosha Srivastava 3                 

 

1,2 Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap, Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.

3 Phytochemistry, CSIR - National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and

Product Development Division, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226002, India.

1,3 Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR–HRDC Campus, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India.

1 anupmasharma189@gmail.com, 2 gmishrak@gmail.com (corresponding author), 3 m.srivastava@nbri.res.in

 

 

Editor: Vishal Chauhan, University of Jammu, Jammu, India.                      Date of publication: 26 August 2026 (online & print)

 

Citation: Devi, A., G.K. Mishra & M. Srivastava (2026). Lichen diversity of Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas of Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 18(8): 29493–29506. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10608.18.8.29493-29506

  

Copyright: © Devi et al. 2026. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

 

Funding: The author GKM and MS is grateful to CSIR for in house project ULIP-MMP002628. First author (AD) is thankful to Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi for providing financial assistance in the form of Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).

 

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

 

Author details: Ms. Anupma Devi is an AcSIR Ph.D. scholar working in the Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR–NBRI), Lucknow. Her research focuses on lichen taxonomy, diversity, and related aspects of lichenological research. Dr. Gaurav K. Mishra is a Senior Scientist at the Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR–NBRI, Lucknow, with more than 17 years of research experience in lichenology. His major areas of expertise include lichen taxonomy, biodiversity, biomonitoring, bioprospecting, and conservation. He has made significant contributions to lichen taxonomy, including the description of more than 15 species new to science and the documentation of over 150 species as new records for the Indian lichen biota. His extensive experience in lichen identification, systematic studies, field exploration, and biodiversity assessment will provide the necessary taxonomic and ecological expertise for the proposed research. Dr. Manjoosha Srivastava is a Senior Principal Scientist in the Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Product Development Division, CSIR–NBRI, Lucknow. She has extensive expertise in the phytochemical investigation of gums, oils, colours/dyes, and secondary metabolites of medicinal and economically important plants, with particular emphasis on the development of plant-based natural products and technologies. Her research expertise includes the extraction, isolation, purification, characterization, and derivatization of medicinal and aromatic phytomolecules. She has also worked extensively on the isolation, evaluation, utilization, and value addition of plant polysaccharides for the development of biopolymers, plant additives, stable colours, biofilms, and biodegradable materials for industrial and societal applications. Her expertise will be particularly valuable for the phytochemical characterization, bioactive compound investigation, and bioprospecting components of the proposed study

 

Author contributions: The authors GKM and MS authenticated the specimens and critically reviewed the manuscript. AD carried out segregation, identification, prepared hand-cut sections, compiled the photo plates, and drafted the initial manuscript.

 

Acknowledgements: The authors are thankful to the director of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, for providing laboratory facilities under MMP002628. The authors, GKM and MS, are grateful to CSIR for in house project ULIP-MMP002628. Co-author AD is thankful to the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, for providing financial assistance in the form of a junior research fellowship (JRF).

 

 

Abstract: Himachal Pradesh supports a rich diversity of both cryptogams and phanerogams including lichens owing to its diverse physiography, climatic heterogeneity and wide elevational range. However, several protected areas including Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) remain unexplored for lichen diversity. The present study provides the first systematic inventory of the lichen biota of CWS based on approximately 230 specimens collected during field surveys conducted in 2024. A total of 102 species belonging to 42 genera and 16 families were identified, including the description of 15 lichen species reported for the first time from the state. The study highlights CWS as an important reservoir of western Himalayan lichen diversity and emphasize the need for continued floristic surveys in protected areas.

 

Keywords: Ascomycetes, biodiversity, biomonitoring, climate change, corticolous, lichenized fungi, Indian mycota, parmeliaceae, taxonomy, western Himalaya.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Protected areas play a crucial role in conserving biological diversity by providing refugia for numerous plant, animal and fungal taxa. In the Himalaya, these landscapes encompass a wide range of habitats and microclimatic conditions that support a rich lichen flora. However, despite their ecological significance, the lichen diversity of many protected areas remains inadequately documented. The state of Himachal Pradesh is located in the western Himalayan region. Despite its relatively small geographical area (55,673 km2), the state harbours rich biodiversity. Its diverse climatic and geographic conditions support the growth and development of various flora and fauna. Due to its excellent lichen diversity, the state is considered a hotspot of lichen diversity in India (Nayaka et al. 2002). Upreti & Nayaka (2000) have enumerated 309 species from the state. Later, Yadav (2005) enumerated 504 lichen species from 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh. According to Sinha et al. (2024), 716 lichen species were recorded from Himachal Pradesh. At present, the state comprises five National Parks, 26 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and three Conservation Reserves (Himachal Pradesh forest department 2026). However, floristically, many of these protected areas remain unexplored. The Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is one of the unexplored protected areas of Himachal Pradesh, lying in 30.8108°–30.9108° N and 77.4922°–77.4969° E, covering a wide altitude varying 1,500–3,647 m. The area of CWS falls into two districts of the state, i.e., Sirmaur and Shimla, while the present study was conducted in the area of CWS, which falls into the district of Shimla. The vegetation of CWS is classified into two major types: (I) sub-tropical mixed deciduous and coniferous forest, and (II) temperate to sub-alpine forest. Some of the phorophytes of the sanctuary are; Abies spectabilis, Acer caesium, A. acuminatum, A. pentapomicum, Aesculus indica, Betula utilis, Berberis aristata, B. coriaria, B. jaeschkeana, Buxus wallichiana, Cedrus deodara, Cornus macrophylla, Picea smithiana, Pinus wallichiana, Juglans regia, Rhododendron anthopogon, R. lepidotum, Quercus leucotrichophora, Q. semecarpifolia Syringa emodi, and Taxus wallichiana (Subramani et al. 2014; Thakur et al. 2021). These phorophytes have a luxuriant growth of lichens in the region. Although several floristic investigations have been conducted in CWS, no dedicated lichenological survey has been undertaken (Upreti & Nayaka 2000; Yadav 2005; Bajpai et al. 2022). Therefore, this is the first attempt to enumerate and document the lichen biota of CWS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 

The present study is based on approximately 230 freshly collected specimens from CWS. Two field surveys were made during the months of April 2024 and November 2024 (28–30 April 2024  and 04–05 November 2024 ) (Image 1). Specimens were collected from different substrates, including bark, rock, wood, soil, moss and on leaves. After shade drying for one week in the processing room, the specimens were examined morphologically, anatomically and chemically. The morphological examination of the specimens was done under a stereo zoom microscope (Leica S8 APO). Anatomy of the thallus and spores was studied by thin hand-cut sections observed under a compound microscope (Leica DM500). Chemistry of the specimens was studied by performing spot tests using routine reagents K (10%), C (Calcium hypochlorite), and P (Paraphenylenediamine), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) was performed in solvent systems A (Toluene: 1–4, dioxane: acetic acid in ratio of 180: 60: 8 ml) and C (Toluene: 1–4, dioxane: acetic acid in ratio of 180: 60: 8 ml), following Orange et al. (2001). Identification of the specimens up to species level was done following Awasthi (1991, 2007), Sinha et al. (2024) and Wijayawardene et al. (2022) is followed for classification. The identified specimens are preserved in the lichen herbarium of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (LWG). Maps of the study area were created using QGIS (version 3.34.9) software.

 

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 

 A total of 102 lichen species representing 42 genera and 16 families were recorded from CWS, including 15 species newly reported for Himachal Pradesh (Table 1; Image 2B). With respect to substrate preference, 79 species were corticolous, followed by seven saxicolous, five lignicolous, four muscicolous, two ramicolous, and one foliicolous species. One species occurred on both soil and bark, while another was recorded from both rock and bark (Image 1C). On the basis of growth forms 62 species were foliose, followed by 23 crustose, 16 fruticose, and one leprose species (Image 2A). Among the families, Parmeliaceae was dominant, comprising 11 genera and 25 species, followed by Physciaceae (5 genera, 23 species), Ramalinaceae (3 genera, 8 species), Caliciaceae (3 genera, 5 species), and Teloschistaceae (4 genera, 4 species). In contrast, Opegraphaceae, Stereocaulaceae, and Strigulaceae were each represented by a single species.

The species Amandinea montana, Heterodermia obscurata, and H. hypochraea, Parmotrema nilgherrense, and P. reticulatum, were common across all sampling localities. Species of Phaeophyscia, Physcia, Dirinaria, and Lepraria were abundant in the subtropical forests, whereas Heterdermia, Punctelia, Flavoparmelia, Flavopunctelia, Myelochroa, Lobaria, and Ramalina species were common in the temperate zone, while the alpine zone features diversity of Acarospora, Aspicillia, Lecanora, Xanthoria, and Xanthoparmelia species.

The present investigation additionally records Bacidia rufescens, Bulbothrix setschwanensis, Cladonia didyma, C. fimbriata, C. fruticulosa, C. rei, Cetrelia collata, C. cetrarioides, Lobaria isidiosa, L. pindarensis, Myelochroa upretii, Phaeophyscia endococcina, P. endococcinodes, P. exornatula, P. pyrrhophora, P. tribacioides, Physconia detersa, Ramalina baltica, Sticta limbata, and Trapelia coarctata as new additions to the Shimla district.

Among the western Himalayan states, Uttarakhand harbours the highest lichen diversity with 1,034 species followed by Himachal Pradesh with 716 species and Jammu & Kashmir including Ladakh with 457 species (Sinha et al. 2024). Compared with Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh exhibits less number of lichen species, which may reflect limited lichenological exploration together with increasing anthropogenic disturbances associated with tourism rather than an actual paucity of species. The state encompasses diverse habitats ranging from tropical to alpine ecosystems, and includes numerous protected areas, that provide favourable conditions for lichen colonization and diversification. Srivastava (2005) documented 263 lichen species from the Great Himalayan National Park. The present study provides the first preliminary assessment of the lichen diversity of CWS and reports 15 species as new records for Himachal Pradesh. These findings indicate that even relatively small protected areas can serve as important reservoirs of lichen diversity and emphasize the need for continued systematic surveys to better improve our understanding, conservation and long-term monitoring of the lichen biota of the western Himalaya.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES NEWLY RECORDED FOR HIMACHAL PRADESH 

 

1. Bacidia convexula (Müll. Arg.) Zahlbr., Cat. Lich. Univers. 4: 188 (1926) [1927]. (Image 3A).

The species is characterised by  crustose, grey thallus with numerous apothecia, corticated at base, apothecia disc brownish red ascospores ellipsoid, transversely septate with 5-6 septa (Awasthi & Mathur 1987).

Chemistry: Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in the district Shimla at an elevation of 2,200–2,250 m. The species was previously reported from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, village Shalan Forest, alt. 2,200─2,250 m, on tree bark, P. Maurya & A. Devi 24-367588 (LWG).

 

2. Biatora vernalis (L.) Fr., K. svenska Vetensk-Akad. Handl., ser. 3: 271 (1822). (Image 3B).

The species is characterized by crustose, granulose, upper surface grey thallus, having sessile biotorine ascomata, ascospores narrowly ellipsoid, aseptate and monocular. Photobiont Trebouxia species (Printzen et al. 2023).

Chemistry: Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at the elevation of 2,000─2,100 m. This species was previously reported from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Uttarakhand (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimens examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, village Shalan Forest, alt. 2,000─2,100 m on tree bark, A. Devi & P. Maurya 24-367584, 24-369466 (LWG).

 

3. Bulbothrix isidiza (Nyl.) Hale, Phytologia 28(5): 480 (1974).  (Image 3C).

The diagnostic characters of the species include foliose thallus, having bulbate cilia along the margins, maculate with coralloid isidia, lower side pale brown (Awasthi 2007).

Chemistry: Medulla K+ yellow turning red, C–, KC–, P+ orange red; salazinic acid seen in TLC

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in the district Shimla at an elevation of 2605 m. The species was previously reported from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, CWS, alt. 2,605 m, on tree bark, A. Devi & P. Maurya 24-369818 (LWG).

 

4. Dermatocarpon miniatum var. compactum (Lamy) Zahlbr., Cat. Lich. Univers. 1: 226 (1921) [1922]. (Image 3D).

The species has polyphyllous, squamulose, upper side grey thallus, lower side wrinkled and lacking rhizines (Awasthi 2007).

Chemistry: Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on rock in the district Shimla at an elevation of 2200─2250 m. The species was previously reported from Uttarakhand (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, CWS, alt. 2,200–2,250 m, on rock, A. Devi 24-369875 (LWG).

 

5. Heterodermia tremulans (Müll. Arg.) W.L. Culb., Bryologist 69: 485 (1967). (Image 3E).

The species is characterized by corticolous, adnate, upper side greyish thallus, with small and narrow lobes, lower side white to daker with concolorous rhizines (Awasthi 2007).

Chemistry: Medulla K–, C–, KC–, P+ pale yellow; atranorin and zeorine seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at an elevation of 2579 m. The species was previously reported from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India; Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, CWS, alt. 2,579 m, on tree bark, P. Maurya & A. Devi 24-369422 (LWG).

 

6. Leptogium denticulatum Nyl., Annls Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 5 7: 302 (1867). (Image 3F).

The species is characterised by the foliose, corticolous, adnate with irregular lobes, upper surface grey to medium grey with no wrinkles thallus, isidia on margin, apothecia rare, lower surface smooth with scattered tufts of white hair (Awasthi 2007).

Chemistry: Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at an elevation of 2673 m, in Himachal Pradesh. The species was previously reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, CWS, alt. 2,673 m, on tree bark, A. Devi 24-369877 (LWG).

 

7. Opegrapha simplicior (Nyl.) Nyl., Bull. Soc. linn. Normandie, sér. 2 2: 94 (1868). (Image 3G).

The species has a crustose, white to grey surface thallus, cracked at places with scattered, slightly curved and black lirellate ascomata, asci 8-spored, ascospores elliopsoid, hyaline 3-spetate, 12–16 × .7–1.1 μm (Joseph & Sinha 2011).

Chemistry: Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at an elevation of 2015─2250 m,. The species was previously reported from Assam, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimens examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Village Shalan Forest, alt. 2,015─2,250 m, on tree bark, A. Devi & P. Maurya 24-369830, 24-369831 (LWG).

 

8. Parmotrema rampoddense (Nyl.) Hale, Phytologia 28(4): 338 (1974). (Image 3H).   

The species has a corticolous thallus withlarge lobes and emaculate, greyish upper side, marginally sorediate in central parts of thallus, lower side tan, marginal zone erhizinate and involute central lobes (Awasthi 2007).

Chemistry: Medulla K–, C–, KC+ red, P–; alectoronic, α-collatolic acids and skyrin seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at an elevation of 2605 m. Earlier, the species was reported from Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, CWS, alt. 2,605 m, on tree bark, A. Devi & P. Maurya 24-369828 (LWG).

 

9. Parmotrema stuppeum (Taylor) Hale [as ‘stuppea’], Phytologia 28(4): 339 (1974). (Image 3I).

The species is characterised by foliose, large crenate dentate lobes, ciliate, greyish upper side, emaculate thallus, marginal sorelia on central part, involute sorediate lobes, lower side marginal zone brown, central zone black and medulla white in colour (Awasthi 2007).

Chemistry: Medulla K+ yellow turning red, C–, KC–, P+ orange red; salazinic and consalazinic acids seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at the elevation of 2,200─2,250 m, The species was previously reported from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tamil Nadu (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, village Shalan Forest, alt. 2,200─2,250 m, on tree bark, A. Devi & P. Maurya 24-369459 (LWG).

 

10. Phaeophyscia laciniata Essl., Mycologia 70(6): 1247 (1979) [1978]. (Image 3J).

The species has foliose thallus with short lobes and lobulate margins, brownish grey in colour thallus, lower surface black with simple rhizines; bright orange medulla due to the presence of skyrine (Maurya et al. 2024).

Chemistry: Medulla K+ purple, KC–, C–, P–;  skyrine seen in TLC.  

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at an elevation of 2,200─2,250 m. The species was previously reported from Kerala and Uttarakhand (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimens examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, village Halau, alt. 2,200–2,250 m, on tree bark, P. Maurya & A. Devi 24-367542, 24-367543, 24-367550 (LWG).

 

11. Phaeophyscia primaria (Poelt) Trass, Folia cryptog. Estonica 15: 2 (1981). (Image 4K).                 

The species is characterized by  corticolous, upper side grey thallus, isidia and soredia absent, rhizines projecting beyond lobes (Maurya et al. 2024).

Chemistry: Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at the elevation of 2200─2250 m, in Himachal Pradesh. The species was previously reported from Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, village Shalan Forest, alt. 2,200─2,250 m, on tree bark, P. Maurya & A. Devi 24-367538 (LWG).

 

12. Sanguineodiscus haematites (Chaub. ex-St.-Amans) I.V. Frolov & Vondrák, , J. Syst. Evol. 59(3): 471 (2020). (Image 4L).

The species is corticolous, crustose, grey, unevenly areolate towards centre, blood red apothecial discs, ascospores ellipsoid with thick septum (Mishra et al. 2020).

Chemistry: Thallus K+ purple, C--–, KC–, Pd–; parietin seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in district Shimla at an elevation of 2673 m. The species was previously reported from Jammu & Kashmir (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, CWS, alt. 2,673 m, on tree bark, A. Devi 24-369896 (LWG).

 

13. Strigula subelegans Vain., Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn., Ser. A 19(no. 15): 23 (1923). (Image 4M).

The species is characterized by epiphyllous thallus having irregular and scattered patches, sometimes round, white, with many small black pycnidia, colourless crystals are commonly dispersed with fungal hyphae, perithecia black, immersed partially, with unequal ascospores (Singh & Pinokiyo 2014).

Chemistry:  Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on leaves in district Shimla at an elevation of 2000─2100 m. The species was previously reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Karela, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, village Halau, alt. 2,000─2,100 m, on leaves, A. Devi & P. Maurya 24-369898 (LWG).

 

14 Usnea spinosula Stirt., Scott. Natural. 6(3): 107 (1881) [1881–1882]. (Image 4N).

The species has a fruticose thallus with solid central axis,, contains spinules, and among the spinules, lateral branches are present, isidia and soredia are absent (Awasthi 2007).

Chemistry: Medulla K+ yellow, then turning red, C-, P+ yellow; usnic acid seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on tree bark in District Shimla at an elevation of 2200─2250 m. The species was previously reported from Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand (Sinha et al. 2024).

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla district, village Shalan Forest, alt. 2,200─2,250 m, on tree bark, A. Devi & P. Maurya 24-369471 (LWG).

 

15. Verrucaria muralis Ach., Methodus, Sectio prior (Stockholmiæ): 115 (1803). (Image 4O).

The species is characterised by crustose, superficial, slightly cracks and with minute pits present, grey to brown in colour thallus, having numerous perithecia, immersed but prominent, black with a clearly visible ostiole; ascospores are colourless, simple and ellipsoid (Joshi et al. 2009).

Chemistry: Thallus K–, C–, KC–, P–; No chemical seen in TLC.

Ecology and distribution: The species was found growing on rock in district Shimla at an elevation of 2200─2250 m. The species was previously reported from Tamil Nadu (Sinha et al. 2024)

Specimen examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla District, village Halau Shalan forest, alt. 2,200─2,250 m, on tree bark, P. Maurya & A. Devi 24-369840 (LWG).

 

 

Table 1. List of lichen taxa reported from Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

Name of taxa 

GF

Sub

Localities

Altitude (m)

Field No.

I

Caliciaceae

1

Amandinea montana (H.Magn.) Marbach

Cr

C

HL

CWS

SR

2200–2250

3200

2209

24-367574

24-369900

24-369833

2

A. punctata (Hoffm.) Coppins & Scheid

Cr

C

HL

2000–2100

24-369832

3

Calicium adspersum ssp. himalayense G.Pant & D.D.Awasthi 

Cr

C

HL

 

2015

24-369842

4

Pyxine berteroana (Fée) Imshaug

Fo

C

HL

2015

24-369457

5

P. reticulata (Vain.) Vain.

Fo

C

HL

2015

24-369806

II

Cladoniaceae

6

Cladonia coniocraea (Flörke) Spreng

Fr

C

CWS

2753

24-369864

7

C. corniculata Ahti & Kashiw.

Fr

L

CWS

3200

24-369871

8

C. didyma (Fée) Vain.

Fr

L

CWS

2673

24-369870

9

C. fimbriata (L.) Fr. 

Fr

M

CWS

2673

24-369867

10

C. fruticulosa Kremp. 

Fr

L

CWS

2753

24-369865

11

C. macilenta Hoffm.

Fr

L

CWS

2700

24-369869

12

C. ochrochlora Flörke

Fr

L

 

CWS

CWS

2700

2673

24-369868

24-369881

13

C. pocillum (Ach.) Grognot

Fr

M

CWS

2673

24-369882

14

C. rei Schaer.

Fr

T

CWS

2700

24-369883

15

C. pyxidata (L.) Hoffm.

Fr

M

CWS

4300

24-369866

III

Collemataceae

 

16

Leptogium burnetiae C.W.Dodge

 

Fo

C

HL

HL

CWS

CWS

2200–2250

1658

2706

2673

24-369440

24-369439 24-369467

24-369888

17

L. denticulatum Nyl. * 

Fo

C

CWS

2673

24-369877

18

L.  pedicellatum P.M.Jørg. 

 

Fo

C

HL

CWS

2200–2250

2579

2579

2605

2753

2753

2700

2706

2700

2673

24-369436 24-369437 24-369438

24-369442

24-369855

24-369854

24-369856

24-369816

24-369874

24-371407

19

L. saturninum (Dicks.) Nyl.

 

Fo

C

CWS

HL

CWS

1658

2706

2673

24-369439 24-369468

24-369876

IV

Lecanoraceae

20

Lecanora achroa Nyl. 

Cr

C

CWS

2605

24-367585

21

L. alba Lumbsch 

Cr

C

CWS

2579

24-367593

22

L. campestris (Schaer.) Hue

Cr

S

HL

2200–2250

24-367587

23

L. helva Stizenb.

Cr

R

CWS

2753

24-369894

24

Lecidella elaeochroma (Ach.) M.Choisy

Cr

R

CWS

2753

24-369894

V

Lobariaceae

25

 

Lobaria isidiosa (Müll.Arg.) Vain.

Fo

C

CWS

2579

24-369469

26

L.  pindarensis Räsänen 

Fo

C

CWS

2579

24-369444

27

L. retigera (Bory) Trevis.

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

2579

2605

2700

2673

2673

24-369445

24-367590

24-369858

24-369859

24-369899

28

Sticta limbata (Sm.) Ach. 

Fo

C

CWS

2673

24-369849

VI

Opegraphaceae

29

Opegrapha simplicior (Nyl.) Nyl. *

Cr

C

HL

HL

2015

2200–2250

24-369831

24-369830

VII

Parmeliaceae

30

Bulbothrix isidiza (Nyl.) Hale* 

Fo

C

CWS

2605

24-369818

31

B. meizospora (Nyl.) Hale

Fo

C

CWS

2706

24-369824

32

B. setschwanensis (Zahlbr.) Hale

Fo

C

CWS

HL

2706

2200–2250

24-369810

24-369452

33

Cetrelia braunsiana (Müll.Arg.) W.L.Culb. & C.F.Culb.

 

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

HL

CWS

2605

2579–2710

1658

2605

24-367567

24-367566

24-369449

24-369817

34

C. collata (Nyl.) W.L.Culb. & C.F.Culb. 

Fo

C

CWS

 

2706

 

24-369823

35

C. cetrarioides (Duby) W.L.Culb. & C.F.Culb

Fo

C

SR

HL

HL

CWS

CWS

2209

2605

2200–2250

2605

2673

24-369430

24-367565

24-367570

24-367569

24-371413

36

C. olivetorum (Nyl.) W.L.Culb. & C.F.Culb.

Fo

C

HL

HL

CWS

HL

2200–2250

2200–2250

2605

1658

24-369805

24-367568

24-369428

24-369454

37

C. pseudolivetorum (Asahina) W.L.Culb. & C.F.Culb.

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

2706

2605

2706

2605

24-369451

24-369402

24-369816

24-369403

38

Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale

Fo

C

CWS

HL

CWS

CWS

CWS

2706

2200–2250

2605

2700

2673

24-369432

24-369455

24-369825

24-371401

24-371406

39

Flavopunctelia flaventior (Stirt.) Hale

Fo

C

CWS

SR

2605

2209

23-369827

24-369433

40

Hypotrachyna cirrhata (Fr.) Divakar, A.Crespo, Sipman, Elix & Lumbsch

Fo

C

CWS

2706

24-368946

41

H. nepalensis (Taylor) Divakar, A.Crespo, Sipman, Elix & Lumbsch

Fo

C

CWS

2579

24-369429

42

H. sinensis (J.B.Chen & J.C.Wei) Divakar, A.Crespo, Sipman, Elix & Lumbsch

Fo

C

CWS

2706

24-369427

43

Myelochroa aurulenta (Tuck.) Elix & Hale 

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

2706

2605

24-369809

24-369826

44

M. upretii Divakar & Elix

Fo

C

HL

2200–2250

24-369448

45

Parmelia meiophora Nyl.

Fo

C

SR

CWS

CWS

2209

3200

3200

24-369435

24-371402

24-371414

46

Parmelinella wallichiana (Taylor) Elix & Hale

Fo

C

CWS

2706

24-369813

47

Parmotrema nilgherrense (Nyl.) Hale

Fo

C

SR

CWS

HL

CWS

CWS

2209

2605

2200–2250

2605

3200

24-369812

24-369808

24-369446

24-369820

24-371409

48

P. praeisidiosum Fleig 

Fo

C

CWS

2673

24-369873

49

P. rampoddense (Nyl.) Hale*

Fo

C

CWS

2605

24-369828

50

P. reticulatum (Taylor) M.Choisy 

Fo

C

SR

HL

HL

CWS

CWS

2209

2015

1658

2706

2763

24-369434

24-369447

24-369456

24-369819

24-371403

51

P.  stuppeum (Taylor) Hale* 

Fo

C

HL

2200–2250

24-369459

52

Punctelia borreri (Sm.) Krog

Fo

C

CWS

3200

24-371410

53

P. subrudecta (Nyl.) Krog 

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

CWS

2605

2605

2605

24-367585

24-369401

24-369844

54

Usnea orientalis Motyka 

Fr

C

CWS

CWS

CWS

2579

2700

2753

24-369470

24-369884

24-371411

55

U. spinosula Stirt. *

Fr

C

HL

2200–2250

24-369471

VIII

Peltigeraceae

 

56

Peltigera elisabethae Gyeln.

 

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

2706

2706

2605

2706

24-369443

24-367591

24-367586

24-369801

57

P. polydactylon (Neck.) Hoffm. 

Fo

T

CWS

3200

24-369889

58

P. praetextata (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Zopf 

Fo

C

HL

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

2015

2673

2753

3200

3200

2700

2753

2753

2673

24-369441

24-369851

24-369853

24-369852

24-369848

24-369857

24-369878

24-371412

24-371404

IX

Pertusariaceae

59

Lepra albescens (Huds.) Hafellner

Cr

C

HL

HL

2015

2200–2250

24-367600

24-369802

60

Pertusaria punctata Nyl. 

Cr

C

HL

2015

24-367595

X

Physciaceae

61

Heterodermia diademata (Taylor) D.D.Awasthi

Fo

T, C

CWS

HL

2579

1658

24-367582

24-369413

62

H. firmula (Linds.) Trevis.

 

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

2706

2579–2710

24-367562

24-367580

63

H. incana (Stirt.) D.D.Awasthi 

Fo

C

CWS

2579

2605

2706

24-367561

24-367583

24-367581

64

H. isidiophora (Nyl.) D.D.Awasthi

Fo

C

HL

CWS

CWS

2015

2579

2700

24-367579

24-369495

24-369886

65

H. hypochraea (Vain.) Swinscow & Krog

 

Fo

C

CWS

HL

HL

SR

CWS

HL

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

2605

2200–2250

2200–2250

2209

2706

2015

2579

2579

2700

2700

2700

2700

24-367558

24-367559

24-367560

24-369410

24-369411

24-369412

24-367581

24-369418

24-367561

24-36924

24-369879

24-369887

66

H. obscurata (Nyl.) Trevis

Fo

C

HL

HL

HL

SR

CWS

HL

1658

2200–2250

2200–2250

2209

2579

2200–2250

24-369416

24-369421

24-369409

24-367577

24-367563

24-369415

67

H. pseudospeciosa (Kurok.) W.L. Culb

Fo

C

HL

HL

CWS

CWS

CWS

2015

2250

2579

2579

2100

24-367557

24-369414

24-369425

24-369862

24-369847

68

H. speciosa (Wulfen) Trevis.

 

Fo

C

CWS, HL

2000–2100

2605

24-367578

24-369423

69

H.  tremulans (Müll. Arg.) W.L.Culb.*

Fo

C

CWS

2579

24-369422

70

Leucodermia boryi (Fée) Kalb.

Fo

M

CWS

CWS

CWS

2700

2706

2700

24-369885

24-369861

24-369885

71

Phaeophyscia endococcina (Körb.) Moberg 

Fo

C

CWS

2706

24-369822

72

P. endococcinodes (Poelt) Essl.

Fo

C

HL

2015

24-367548

73

P. exornatula (Zahlbr.) Kashiw.

Fo

C

HL

CWS

2200–2250

2579

24-367555

24-367552

74

P.  hispidula (Ach.) Moberg

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

CWS

HL

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

2579

2579

2605

2200–2250

2706

2673

2700

2673

24-367551

24-367544

24-357541

24-367539

24-369821

24-369893

24-369892

24-371405

75

P. laciniata Essl. *

 

Fo

C

CWS

HL

CWS

2579

2200–2250

2706

24-367550

24-367542

24-367543

76

P. primaria (Poelt) Trass*

Fo

C

HL

2200-2250

24-367538

77

P. pyrrhophora (Poelt) D.D.Awasthi & M.Joshi

Fo

C

HL

1658

24-367540

78

Physcia dilatata Nyl.

 

Fo

C

CWS HL

HL

HL

HL

2579

2200–2250

2000–2100

1658

24-367547

24-367549

24-367546

24-367545

79

P. tribacioides Nyl. 

Fo

C

HL

1658

24-367545

80

Physconia detersa (Nyl.) Poelt 

Fo

S, C

CWS

CWS

2700

2700

24-369890

24-369891

81

P. distorta (With.) J.R.Laundon 

Fo

C

SR

2209

24-367576

82

P. enteroxantha (Nyl.) Poelt 

Fo

C

HL

1658

24-367554

83

Polyblastidium japonicum (M. Satô) Kalb

Fo

C

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

CWS

2605

2605

2605

2579

2700

24-367556

24-369426

24-369420

24-369419

24-369880

XI

Ramalinaceae

84

Bacidia convexula (Müll.Arg.) Zahlbr.*

Cr

C

HL

2200–2250

24-367588

85

B. rufescens (Müll.Arg.) Zahlbr. 

Cr

C

HL

2200–2250

24-367575

86

B.  submedialis (Nyl.) Zahlbr.

Cr

C

HL

2015

24-367589

87

Biatora vernalis (L.) Fr.*

Cr

C

HL

2000–2100

24-367584

88

Ramalina baltica Lettau

Fr

S

SR

2209

24-369466

89

R. conduplicans Vain.

 

Fr

C

HL

HL

CWS

CWS

2000–2100

2200–2250

3200

2700

24-369472

24-369476

24-369850

24-369872

90

R. pacifica Asahina

Fr

C

CWS

2706

24-369481

91

R.  sinensis Jatta

 

Fr

C

CWS

HL

CWS

HL

CWS

CWS

2706

2200–2250

2706

2015

3200

3200

24-369478

24-369463

24-369477

24-369464

24-369860

24-369895

XII

Stereocaulaceae

92

Lepraria isidiata (Llimona) Llimona & A.Crespo

Le

C

CWS

2579

24-369845

XII

Strigulaceae

93

Strigula subelegans Vain. *

Cr

F

HL

2000–2100

24-369898

XIV

Teloschistaceae

94

Caloplaca himalayana Y.Joshi & Upreti

Cr

C

HL

CWS

2200–2250

2605

24-367575

24-367585

95

Opeltia flavorubescens (Huds.) S.Y.Kondr. & Hur 

Cr

C

CWS

2605

24-367585

96

Sanguineodiscus haematites (Chaub. ex-St.-Amans) I.V.Frolov & Vondrák*

Cr

C

CWS

2673

24-369896

97

Polycauliona candelaria (L.) Frödén, Arup & Søchting

Fo

C

HL

2200–2250

 

24-369476

XV

Trapeliaceae

 

 

 

 

 

98

Trapelia coarctata (Turner) M. Choisy

Cr

S

CWS

2605

24-367598

XVI

Verrucariaceae

99

Dermatocarpon miniatum (L.) W.Mann

Fo

S

HL

2200–2250

 

24-369480

100

D. miniatum var. compactum (Lamy) Zahlbr. *

Fo

S

CWS

3200

 

24-369875

101

Verrucaria margacea (Wahlenb.) Wahlenb

Cr

S

HL

2015

 

24-369839

102

V. muralis Ach. *

Cr

S

HL

2250

24-369840

CWS—Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary | SR—Srain | HL—Halau | GF—growth form | Cr—crustose | Fo—foliose | Fr—fruticose | Sub—Substratum | C—corticolous | F—folicolous | L—lignicolous | S—saxicolous | M—muscicolous | R—ramicolous | T—terricolous | *—New to state.

 

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References

 

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Awasthi, D.D. (1991). A key to the microlichens of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Bibliotheca Lichenologica, 40: 1–377.

Awasthi, D.D. (2007). A compendium of the macrolichens from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, pp. 31–34. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India, 580 pp.

Bajpai  et al. (2022). Refining the picture of lichen biota of Himachal Pradesh together with new distributional records to the state. 64(1): 171–247. https://doi.org/10.20324/nelumbo/v64/2022/167350

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Joshi, Y. et al. (2009). Thelotrema subtile and Verrucaria muralis new to South Korea. Mycobiology 37(4): 302–304. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3749422/

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Maurya, P. et al. (2024). A taxonomic revision of the lichen genus Phaeophyscia Moberg (Physciaceae) with new records from India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 17(1): 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2023.10.005

Mishra, G.K. et al. (2020). Current taxonomy of the lichen family Teloschistaceae from India with descriptions of new species. Acta Botanica Hungaricae 62(3–4): 309–391. https://doi.org/10.1556/034.62.2020.3-4.5

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Sinha, G.P. et al. (2024). A comprehensive checklist of lichens from India – 2024. Cryptogam Biodiversity and Assessment 8(02): 1–134.

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Subramani, S.P. et al. (2014). Additions to the floral wealth of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh from Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary. Journal of Threatened Taxa 6(11): 6427–6452. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2845.6427-52

Thakur M. et al. (2020). An assessment of lichen diversity from Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, India. International Journal of Plant and Environment 6(4): 277–282. https://doi.org/10.18811/ijpen.v6i04.06

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Upreti, D.K. & S. Nayaka (2000). An enumeration of lichens from Himachal Pradesh. Professor D.D. Nautiyal Commemoration Volume Recent Trends in Botanical Researches, 15–31 pp.

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Wijayawardene N.N. et al. (2022). Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa – 2021. Mycosphere 13(1): 53–453. https://doi.org/10.5943/mycosphere/13/1/2