Lichens of Madagascar

Little work has been done on the lichens of Madagascar, so while over 500 species of lichens have been documented, more are expected.[1] Madagascar can be divided into two major habitats that can be associated with lichen distribution. Wet tropical areas of siliceous bedrock make up approximately two-thirds of the country, and are where most of the lichens have been documented. Dry tropical areas of granitic and limestone bedrock make up the other one-third of the country with just over 20 species documented in these habitats.[1] The following table lists the species known from the dry tropical habitats. The majority are corticolous species that grow on the bark of trees or shrubs. A few are saxicolous; species that grow on rocks. The full list of 500 lichens can be found at.[2]

While many of the lichens found to date in Madagascar are relatively widespread, tropical species,[1] some are endemic. Isalonactis madagascariensis, for example, is known only from its type locality near Isalo National Park,[3] and new species continue to be found.[1]