Lichens of Niue: a preliminary checklist

Abstract

A first checklist is provided for the lichenised fungi of Niue. Based on field-work undertaken during May 2024, when 130 collections were made over a 10-day period, 55 species are recognised, representing 33 genera and 22 families. Six genera include three or more species: Coccocarpia (5 species), Graphis (3), Lepidocollema (3), Physcia (6), Pyrenula (5), and Ramalina (3). In addition, nineteen collections referable to the genera Bacidia, Coccocarpia, Herpothallon, Leptogium, Megalaria, Pertusaria and Toninia could not be identified to species level due to infertile, immature, or depauperate specimens. This checklist is undoubtedly incomplete, and it is hoped that future studies will expand the island’s known lichen diversity. A number of the new records reported here for Niue are also first reports for islands of the wider Pacific Ocean or southwestern Polynesia. Show more