Publication at Faculty of Science |
2012
Abstract
A terricolous species in the lichen genus Collema is described from c. 4000 m altitude in the paramos of northern Ecuador. It appears to belong in the north-western Andean element and to be a vicariant of the arctic-alpine Collema ceraniscum which has a similar ecology.
The rarity of the genus in the Andes is pointed out, for which there is no obvious reason. However, some new records from Ecuador are added: C. fasciculare (found at c. 4300 m, its highest recorded locality) and C. tenax s.lat.; also C. limosum from the outskirts of Quito, new to South America.
The commonest species in the region is apparently C. glaucophthalmum, reaching 4000 m, but mainly found at lower altitudes in the "selvas nubladas".