Research Article | Published: 01 August 2021

New Distributional Records of the Genus Usnea (Lichenized Ascomycota) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Ajay Kumar and Krishna Pal Singh

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 43 | Issue: 3 | Page No. 285-292 | 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2021-P95SL8 | Cite this article

Abstract

The genus Usnea Dill.ex Adans. is worked out based on the new collections and represented by 29 species in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, a biodiversity hotspot in north-east India. Six species viz. Usnea angulata Ach., U. compressa Taylor, U. himalayana Bab. U. montisfuji Motyka, U. perplexans Stirt., U. picta (J. Steiner) Motyka are new additions to the state lichen biota. Two species namely U. cineraria Motyka and U. thomsonii Stirt. are endemic to the Himalayan region. The genus is a potent source of phytomedicine and has multifarious ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological significance. An identification key to all the species is provided to facilitate their identification while new additions to the state are dealt briefly along with their photographs and a table showing the distribution of species within the state. Indian species of Usnea need thorough phytochemical screening to record their unique uses for the human benefits.

Keywords

Himalaya biodiversity hot spot, Lichenized, North-East India, State distribution, Usnea

Access Options

250/-

Buy Full Access in HTML Format

Instant access to the full article.

Get access to the full version of this article. Buy Full Access in HTML Format

Abstract Keywords References About this Article

Fig. 1

Map of Arunachal Pradesh showing various districts

Fig. 2

Usnea angulata Ach. : A. Habit, B. Magnified portion of the thallus branch showing angular nature; Usnea compressa Taylor: C. Habit, D. Magnified portion of the thallus branch showing raised papillae and pseudocyphellae; Usnea himalayana Bob.: E. Habit, F. Magnified portion of the thallus branch showing pseudocyphellae

Fig. 3

Usnea montisfusi Motyka: A. Habit, B. Magnified portion of the thallus branch showing blackish smooth surface; Usnea perplexans Stirt.: C. Habit, D. Magnified portion of the thallus showing papillate surface of branch; Usnea picta (J. Steiner) Motyka: E. Habit, F. Magnified portion of the apothecium showing ciliated margin

References

1. Awasthi, D.D., 2007. A Compendium of the Macrolichens from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, India. pp.580

Google Scholar

2. Awasthi, G., 1986. Lichen genus Usnea in India. J. Hattori Bot. Lab. 61, pp.333–421

Google Scholar

3. Clerc, P., 1987. Systematics of the Usnea fragilescens aggregate and its distribution in Scandinavia. Nord. J. Bot, 7, pp.479–495

Google Scholar

4. Clerc P. and Herrera-Campos, M.A., 1997. Saxicolous species of Usnea subgenus Usnea (lichenized Ascomycetes) in North America. Bryologist, 100(3), pp.281– 301

Google Scholar

5. Eriksson, O.M., 2005. Outline of Ascomycota. Myconet 11, pp.1–113

Google Scholar

6. Halonen P., Clerc P., Goward T., Brodo, I.M., and Wulff, K. (1998). Synopsis of the genus Usnea (lichenized Ascomycetes) in British Columbia, Canada. Bryologist, 101(1), pp.36–60

Google Scholar

7. Halonen P., Myllys L., Ahti, T. and Petrova O.V., 1999. The lichen genus Usnea in East Fennoscandia ? III. The shrubby species. Ann. Bot. Fenn. 36, pp.235-256

Google Scholar

8. Jaklitsch, W.M., Baral, H.O., Lücking, R. and Lumbsch, H.T., 2016. Ascomycota. In: Frey, W. (ed.) Syllabus of Plant Families – Adolf Engler’s Syllabus der Plafanzenfamilien. Borntraeger, Stuttgart, pp.322

Google Scholar

9. Kamal,S., Manish, S., Savita J. and Jasumati 2015. Assessment of Antibacterial Activity of Usnea Species of Shimla Hills. Int. J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 4(7), pp.413-425

Google Scholar

10. Kirk, P. M., Cannon, P. F., Minter, D.W. and Stalpers, J.A., 2008. Dictionary of the fungi, 10th edition. CAB International, Walling ford

Google Scholar

11. Mittermeier, R.A., Gil, P.R., Hoffman, Pilgrim, M.J., Brooks, T., Mittermeier, C.G., Lamoreux, J. and de Fonseca G.A.B. (eds.). 2005. Hotspots revisited: Earth’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions. Mexico: CEMEX. pp.392

Google Scholar

12. Motyka, J., 1936–1938. Lichenum generis Usnea studium monographicum. Pars systematica. Vol 1, 2. Leopoli

Google Scholar

13. Ohmura, Y., 2001. Taxonomic study of the genus Usnea (lichenized Ascomycetes) in Japan and Taiwan. J. Hattori Bot. Lab. 90, pp. 1-96

Google Scholar

14. Ohmura, Y., 2012. A synopsis of the lichen genus Usnea (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in Taiwan. Mem. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Tokyo, 48, pp. 91-137

Google Scholar

15. Orange, A., James, P.W. and White, F.J. (2001). Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens. British Lichen Society, London

Google Scholar

16. Prateeksha, B., Paliya, S., Bajpai, R., Jadaun,V., Kumar, J., Kumar, S., Upreti, D. K., Singh, B. R., Nayaka,S., Joshi,Y. and Singh, B.N., 2016.The genus Usnea: a potent phytomedicine with multifarious ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology RSC Adv., 6, pp.21672 – 21696

Google Scholar

17. Shukla, P., Upreti, D.K. and Tewari, L.M., 2014. Lichen gemus Usnea (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in Uttarakhand, India. Current Research in Environmental & Applied Mycology, 4(2), pp.188–201 https://doi.org/10.5943/cream/4/2/6

Google Scholar

18. Singh, K.P. and Sinha, G.P., 2010. Indian lichens: an annotated checklist. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. pp.571

Google Scholar

19. Stevens, G.N., 1999. A revision of the lichen family Usneaceae in Australia. Schweizerbart science publishers, Johannesstr. Stuttgart, Germany. pp.1-128

Google Scholar

20. Swinscow, T.D.V. and Krog H., 1974. Usnea subgenus Eumitria in East Africa. - Norw. J. Bot. 21, pp.165-185

Google Scholar

21. Swinscow, T.D.V. and Krog H., 1975. The Usnea undulata aggregate in East Africa. Lichenologist, 7, pp.121-138

Google Scholar

22. Swinscow, T.D.V. and Krog H., 1976a. The Usnea articulata aggregate in East Africa. Norw. J. Bot., 23, pp.261-268

Google Scholar

23. Swinscow, T.D.V. and Krog H., 1976b. The Usnea bornmuelleri aggregate in East Africa. Norw. J. Bot., 23, pp.23-31

Google Scholar

24. Swinscow, T.D.V. and Krog H., 1978. Pendulous species of Usnea in East Africa. Norw.J. Bot., 25, pp.221-241

Google Scholar

25. Swinscow, T.D.V. and Krog H., 1979. The fruticose species of Usnea subgenus Usnea in East Africa. Lichenologist, 11, pp.207-252

Google Scholar

26. White, F.J. and James, P.W., 1985. A new guide to the microchemical technique for the identification of lichen substances. British Lichen Society Bulletin, 57, pp.1-41

Google Scholar

About this article

How to cite

Kumar, A. and Singh, K.P., 2020. New Distributional Records of the Genus Usnea (Lichenized Ascomycota) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 43(3), pp.285-292. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2021-P95SL8

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 24 February 2021

Manuscript Revised on 17 March 2021

Manuscript Accepted on 23 March 2021

Manuscript Published on 01 August 2021

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: