Abstract

SOTO MEDINA, Edier; DIAZ, David  and  MONTANO, Javier. Biogeography and richness of lichens in Colombia. Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. [online]. 2021, vol.45, n.174, pp.122-135.  Epub Sep 18, 2021. ISSN 0370-3908.  https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.1224.

Our objective was to analyze the richness of lichens and the biogeographic relationships between life zones in Colombia, as well as to define indicator species and genera. For this purpose, we compiled information from different national herbaria, databases, and publications. We used the classification of Colombian life zones to define the localities for lichen collection. We found three main groupings: Humid forest regions (Amazonia and Chocó), dry forests and Orinoquía, and Andean forests (from premontane to paramo). These regions formed groups on a gradient from low elevation life zones to paramo. Regarding the phytogeographic relationships, we found a greater affinity between the humid forests of the Amazon and Chocó, between the premontane, montane, and paramo forests, and between the inter-Andean and Caribbean dry forests. The regions with the greatest richness and species of restricted distribution were the Andean and humid forests. The richness showed a decreasing pattern with elevation and a unimodal one with latitude and higher values at mid-latitudes.

Keywords : Biogeography; Lichens; Endemism; Richness; Colombia.

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