Leaf position and leaf area effects on the diversity of foliicolous lichens associated with Stenanona flagelliflora (Annonaceae)
Date
2022-07-30
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Abstract
"Foliicolous lichens grow on the surface of alive leaves of vascular plants and are highly diverse in tropical habitats. Their taxonomy and ecology are relatively well known; however, there are no studies on the within-individual variation in the diversity and composition of the communities growing on single leaves. We describe the diversity of foliicolous lichens associated with leaves of Stenanona flagelliflora (Annonaceae) of different sizes and within-canopy position at Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Species composition, richness, cover, and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index of the lichen communities growing on each leaf were determined. The community of foliicolous lichens associated with S. flagelliflora is highly diverse: 94 foliicolous lichen species from 12 families were recorded. Porina karnatakensis (Porinaceae) was the dominant species across leaves at different positions. Species richness, lichen cover, and diversity index were not significantly affected by leaf area nor by leaf position, but both of these factors influenced community composition. We discuss the importance of within-phorophyte microclimate variation, competitive interactions, and environmental requirements of each lichen species as the main drivers of the differences found in the assemblage of lichens. More studies on the factors that determine the diversity of the communities of organisms within the phylloplane are needed".