An Assessment of Lichens Diversity from Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra, India

  • Sanjeeva Nayaka Lichenology laboratory, Plant Diversity Systematics and Herbarium Division CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001
  • Gaurav K. Mishra Lichenology laboratory, Plant Diversity Systematics and Herbarium Division CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001
  • Nilesh Dubey Department of Nuclear Radiochemistry, KC College, Mumbai-400020
  • Hemlata Bagla Department of Nuclear Radiochemistry, KC College, Mumbai-400020
  • Rajesh Bajpai Lichenology laboratory, Plant Diversity Systematics and Herbarium Division CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001
DOI https://doi.org/10.21756/cab.v2i2.11116

Abstract

The present study recorded 58 species of lichens belonging to 27 genera and 17 families from
seven localities of Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra, in Western Ghats. The study
added 24 species new to the lichen biota of Maharashtra. The lichen genera Graphis and Pyrenula
with six species each and Hemithecium and Porina with 5 species each exhibit their dominance in
the area. Among the different localities the area around Bhimashankar temple showed maximum
diversity represented by 37 species followed by route to Manchar and Gupt Bhimashankar Cave
area represented 16 species each. The dominance of Graphidioid community in the area indicates
the open thinned out forest as well as the presence of smooth bark trees in the sanctuary.
Keywords: Lichen diversity, Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS), Western Ghats, Maharashtra.

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