An updated checklist of lichens of Xinjiang Province, China

The earliest list of 67 species, 19 varieties and 17 forms of lichens for Xinjiang Province in northwestern China by Wei in 1991 was extended by Abbas in 2002 to 278 species, 3 subspecies, 15 varieties and 17 forms, and by Xahidin in 2005 to c. 398 species. The present study of the largest province in China, based on a comprehensive literature survey supported by a study of herbarium material, lists 596 taxa composed of 580 species, 4 subspecies and 12 varieties; of the 160 lichen genera, Cladonia has the highest number or species with 40, followed by Acarospora (30), Aspicilia (24) and Peltigera (24).

Automated summary

Based on a comprehensive literature survey and herbarium material study, the research in Xinjiang Province of China identified a total of 596 taxa, with Cladonia having the highest number of species at 40 among the 160 lichen genera.