New species and new records of lichenized ascomycota from tropical deciduous forests of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India

Abstract

Stirtonia ghattensis Sumesh N. Dudani, Nayaka, Komal K. Ingle & S. Joseph sp. nov. having UV+ white thallus, 4–6-spored asci, and 5(–7)-septate ascospores and lacking lichen substances is described as new to science. Pertusaria mesotropa Müll. Arg. is reported for the first time from India. Bacidia subannexa (Nyl.) Zahlbr., Graphis caesiella Vain., G. handelii Zahlbr., Hemithecium scariosum Makhija & Adaw., and Pertusaria coccodes (Ach.) Nyl. are new records for Western Ghats. Arthothelium aphanocarpum (Nyl.) Zahlbr., which had a restricted distribution in the Andaman Islands, is collected from the mainland of India for the first time. An updated world key for 28 Stirtonia taxa known to date is provided.