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Kroswia<br />
Pixie-hair lichens<br />
Peltigerales Pannariaceae<br />
03<br />
Kroswia is a sterile lichen genus and apparently paleotropical. It is found in<br />
primeval tropical forests in South and Southeast Asia and East Africa. The genus<br />
has been recorded from subtropical East Africa, South India, <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong> and Taiwan<br />
as corticolous in damp, montane forests.<br />
This genus is very small. So far, <strong>of</strong> the three species known worldwide, a single<br />
species has been observed in <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong> at Horton Plains, a few adjacent localities<br />
and a few places in Nuwara Eliya. Habitats are restricted to moist undisturbed<br />
conditions in montane forests in <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>.<br />
This species is corticolous in <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>. Other known species could occur in the<br />
highlands in montane communities which have not yet been observed.<br />
Parmeliaceae<br />
Fo<br />
C<br />
Hypogymnia zeylanica<br />
Description Foliose and corticolous. The lobes are wide, spreading, inflated and<br />
solid. Pinnate branching is observed in this species. The thallus is yellowish grey<br />
to brownish grey. The lower surface is wrinkled and pale brown to dark brown<br />
or blackish brown. The thallus has true isidia, which are simple to branched. The<br />
apothecia are lecanorine, rare, sessile, flat and brownish black.<br />
The species found in Horton Plains is very significant as it has true isidia (that is<br />
very unusual in Hypogymnia) and has pinnate branching. Further study <strong>of</strong> this<br />
species is needed to confirm its taxonomic status.<br />
Apothecia unknown for the genus, a conclusion about the genus requires<br />
confirmation from the apothecia or molecular data.<br />
Chemistry All reactions are negative.<br />
The Paleotropical Kingdom (Paleotropics) is a floristic kingdom comprising<br />
tropical areas <strong>of</strong> Africa, Asia and Oceania including northern Australia.<br />
Pannariaceae<br />
Status Common in Horton Plains. There could be a new species <strong>of</strong> Hypogymnia<br />
in Horton Plains. Hypogymnia zeylanica has been reported from the lower<br />
temperate region <strong>of</strong> India, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.<br />
Habitat Mostly found in humid forests areas above 1600 m.<br />
Locations Horton Plains, few places along the Pattipola road and Ohiya Road<br />
close to the Horton Plains entrance.<br />
98 <strong>Fascinating</strong> <strong>Lichens</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong><br />
<strong>Fascinating</strong> <strong>Lichens</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong> 99
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