New records of lichens in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Study Extent

We provide the results of the first explorations carried out on the northwestern slopes of the SNSM.

Sampling

Samples were collected from the forests and coffee crops of the study area, in an elevation gradient from 500 to 2500 m a.s.l., applying the opportunistic sampling method. The collection was manual, using a razor to separate the sample from the substrate. Samples were stored in paper bags, where field data were also recorded. The material was stored in a freezer at −20 °C for two days to remove invertebrates; later it was dehydrated at room temperature and stored in acid-free paper envelopes with their respective label.

Method steps

1. Taxonomic keys were used to identify the material. For identification of genera, keys such as Sipman (2005) and Cáceres (2007) were used. In addition to illustrations, descriptions, and expert collaboration from the Grupo Colombiano de Liquenología (GCOL), specialized keys and monographs were used for species identification: Stereocaulon Hoffm. (Boekhout 1982; Sipman 2002; Rincón-Espitia and Mateus 2013); Heterodermia Trevis. and related taxa (Moberg 2011; Mongkolsuk et al. 2015; Díaz-Escandón 2017); Ramalina Ach. (Gumboski 2016); Coenogonium Ehrenb. (Rivas-Plata et al. 2006); Bulbothrix Hale (Benatti 2012, 2014). Chemical tests with 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide (K) and 6% sodium hypochlorite (C) were performed. The specimens were deposited in the Centro de Colecciones Biológicas de la Universidad del Magdalena (CBUMAG).

Six genera were recorded for the first time for SNSM: Bulbothrix (Parmeliaceae), Chrysothrix Mont. (Chrysothricaceae), Coenogonium (Coenogoniaceae), Dibaeis (Icmadophilaceae), Heterodermia, and Polyblastidium (Physciaceae). Additionally, 19 species were recorded for the first time.

1. Bulbothrix ventricosa (Hale & Kurok.) Hale
   rank: species
2. Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) J.R. Laundon
   rank: species
3. Coenogonium linkii Ehrenb.
   rank: species
4. Dibaeis columbiana (Vain.) Kalb & Gierl
   rank: species
5. Heterodermia albicans (Pers.) Swinscow & Krog
   rank: species
6. Heterodermia comosa (Eschw.) Follmann & Redón
   rank: species
7. Heterodermia diademata (Taylor) D.D. Awasthi
   rank: species
8. Heterodermia flabellata (Fée) D.D. Awasthi
   rank: species
9. Heterodermia galactophylla (Tuck.) W.L. Culb.
   rank: species
10. Heterodermia podocarpa (Bél.) D.D. Awasthi
11. Heterodermia pseudospeciosa (Kurok.) W. L. Culb.
    rank: species
12. Heterodermia speciosa (Wulfen) Trevis.
    rank: species
13. Leucodermia boryi (Fée) Kalb
14. Leucodermia lutescens (Kurok.) Kalb
    rank: species
15. Polyblastidium fragilissimum (Kurok.) Kalb
    rank: species
16. Polyblastidium japonicum (M. Satô) Kalb
    rank: species
17. Polyblastidium neglectum (Lendemer, R.C. Harris & E.A. Tripp) Kalb
    rank: species
18. Ramalina cochlearis Zahlbr.
    rank: species
19. Stereocaulon meyeri Stein
    rank: species

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) is located on the Caribbean coast of northern Colombia and has an area of approximately 17,000 km2 covering the departments of Magdalena, Cesar, and La Guajira. It is the highest coastal mountain range in the world, with a maximum elevation of 5,775 m a.s.l.