Sains Malaysiana 40(11)(2011): 1201–1208

Distribution of Lichen Flora at Different Altitudes of Gunung Machincang,

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia

(Taburan Flora Liken Pada Altitud Berbeza di Gunung Machinchang,

Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia)

Shahrizim Zulkifly, Mohamed Abdul Majid & Amir Feisal Merican*

Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya,

50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Young S. Kim

Centre of Research for Computational Sciences & Informatics for Biology

Bioindustry, Environment, Agriculture and Healthcare (CRYSTAL), University of Malaya

50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 9 June 2010 / Accepted: 22 February 2011

ABSTRACT

Lichen samples were collected from Gunung Machincang, Langkawi Islands based on an alternation of altitudes, which are 0, 300 and above 600 m. Morphological identification resulted in 15 genera of microlichens (crustose) and five genera of macrolichens (foliose) and they fall under 14 families. As the altitude increases, the number of foliose type of lichen also increased. The common microlichens obtained were from the Family of Graphidaceae and can be found from the sea level right up to the peak of Gunung Machincang. The most common crustose lichens found were Heterodermia sp., while Eugenia sp. is the most common tree habitat for lichens in Gunung Machincang, Langkawi Islands. This study represents the first record of lichens in Gunung Machincang, Langkawi Islands, Malaysia.

Keywords: Elevation; Graphidaceae; Heterodermia sp.; lichen types; mountainous region

ABSTRAK

Sampel liken telah dipungut dari Gunung Machincang, Pulau Langkawi mengikut ketinggian, iaitu 0 m, 300 m dan lebih dari 600 m. Kaedah pengenalpastian morfologi menunjukkan bahawa terdapat 15 genus mikro-liken (krustos) dan 5 genus makro-liken (folios) dan semuanya terletak dalam 14 famili. Apabila ketinggian meningkat, bilangan liken jenis folios juga meningkat. Mikro-liken yang sering didapati adalah daripada famili Graphidaceae dan boleh ditemui pada ketinggian dari paras laut hingga ke ketinggian puncak Gunung Machincang. Liken krustos yang paling biasa ditemui adalah Heterodermia sp. sementara Eugenia sp. adalah habitat pokok paling biasa untuk liken di Gunung Machincang, Pulau Langkawi. Kajian ini mewakili catatan pertama liken di Gunung Machincang, Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia.

Kata kunci: Graphidaceane; Heterodermia sp.; jenis liken; kawasan bergunung; ketinggian

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*Corresponding author; email: merican@um.edu.my / mericanmy@gmail.com