A Rock Pool Lichen Community in Northern Transvaal, South Africa: Composition and Distribution Patterns

Abstract

The distribution patterns of lichens belonging to the family Peltulaceae and procaryotic algae (cyanobacteria) were studied in a rock pool on a sandstone koppie (‘Inselberg’). situated in the mopane savanna of the northern Transvaal. The co-dominant lichen species along the wall of the pool were: Peltula clavata (Krempelh.) Wetmore, P. euploca (Ach.) Poelt ex Pisut, P. obscurans (Nyl.) Gyelnik, and P. placodizans (Zahlbr.) Wetmore. The cyanobacteria Gloeocapsa sanguinea (Ag.) Kütz. emend. Jaag, Plectonema tomasinianum Gom. ex Gom., Rivularia sp., Scytonema sp. and Tolypothrix sp. grew epilithically between the lichen thalli. Unicellular species of the genus Chroococcidiopsis Geitler or Myxosarcina Printz occurred cryptoendolithically. The distribution patterns of several lichen species are presented and statistical tests reveal distinct correlations of the habitats of some species with light levels and water supply; e.g. the olive-green P. placodizans preferred the fully exposed situation near and along the rim of the rock pool; the black species P. clavata was restricted to areas next to the water level.