New records of crustose lichens from Iran, including a new genus record

The crustose lichen species Diploicia canescens (Dicks.) A. Massal., Polyozosia sambuci (Pers.) S.Y. Kondr., Lőkös & Farkas and Pertusaria leioplaca (Ach.) DC.  are reported for the first time from Iran, Golestan Province. Furthermore, the genus Diploicia is newly recorded for the lichen flora of Iran. The samples were collected from the Hyrcanian Forests of Golestan Province and deposited in the herbarium of the Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran (TARI). These species have been identified based on detailed morphological, anatomical, and chemical characters. Each species can be distinguished by its characteristic thallus morphology, apothecia, or fertile warts. Their diagnostic characteristics, ecology, and geographic distribution are discussed. These findings indicate the high diversity of crustose lichens in northern Iran and clearly highlight the importance of recording new genera and species to complement the lichen flora and to support lichen-related biodiversity surveys and ecological studies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Crustose lichens ، Golestan Province ، Hyrcanian Forest ، Iran ، Taxonomy