Uncovering hidden biodiversity: over 40 new records of pyrenocarpous lichens for the Philippines

Abstract

As part of ongoing efforts to document the lichen biota of the southern Philippines, we report 41 additional species as new records for the country, of which 14 are new to Southeast Asia and 4 species are new to Asia. The Philippine archipelago now emerges as one of the hotspots of pyrenocarpous lichens in Southeast Asia, with an updated list of 224 species, encompassing 39 genera and 10 families. Given the accelerating habitat loss and sporadic attention for lichens in the country, our findings underscore the urgent need for continued biodiversity exploration efforts not only to catalogue the lichen diversity but also to integrate these underrepresented organisms into broader conservation planning essential for supporting the ecological integrity of Philippine forests.