A comprehensive checklist of lichens from India - 2024

Gopal P. Sinha; Sanjeeva Nayaka; Gaurav K. Mishra

Gopal P. Sinha T-1/1103, Eldeco Saubhagyam, Vrindavan Yojna, Sector-9, Raebareli Road, Near Shaheed Path, Lucknow -226029, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Sanjeeva Nayaka Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR – National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Gaurav K. Mishra Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR – National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract

A comprehensive checklist of lichens reported from India up to December 2024 is presented, detailing a total of 3,236 taxa, including 3,200 species, 29 varieties, 6 sub species, 1 forma,
across 487 genera and 88 families. Approximately 17% of India’s lichen biota is endemic. Parmeliaceae and Graphidaceae are the most species-rich families with 403 and 384 taxa respectively. Among genera Graphis is most speciose with 139 species. Crustose along with squamulose lichens dominate India’s lichen diversity comprising 2,239 taxa. The state of Tamil Nadu boasts the highest number of lichens with 1,044 taxa followed closely by Uttarakhand, which has 1,034 taxa. Recent research efforts have led to an increased number of records in North-East India, which now hosts the greatest concentration of lichens with 1,842 taxa. Other lichen-rich regions include the Western Ghats and the Western Himalayas with 1,706 and 1,300 taxa respectively. The increasing number of recorded taxa indicates that India’s lichen diversity remains underexplored, and collaborative efforts among researchers are essential for studying
remote and lichen-rich areas across the country.

Keywords: Asia, Biodiversity, Lichenized fungi, Mycota, Subcontinent

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