Lichenology in Latin America: History, Current Knowledge and Applications

TLDR: It is concluded that knowledge of the Argentinean lichen flora is patchy and depends on the accessibility of the study area and historical factors of each region, rather than on the phytogeographic area considered.

Abstract: This paper presents an assessment of the lichen taxa cited for Argentina, as related to botanical expeditions and in the context of their distribution both in the four vascular flora phytogeographic dominions and in geographic provinces. Three chronological periods are considered: the first, up to the middle of the 20th century, when Grassi published the Catalogue of Argentine Lichens (first catalogue of its kind in Latin America), the second, up to the 1970s and the third, up to the present. The work of Argentine research groups is discussed, including data from bibliographical sources and researchers’ personal communications. The relationship between contributions by local and foreign scientists is discussed. It is concluded that knowledge of the Argentinean lichen flora is patchy and depends on the accessibility of the study area and historical factors of each region, rather than on the phytogeographic area considered.