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clypeococcum lichen

Scientific Name: Clypeococcum hypocenomycis

Family: Dacampiaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Clypeococcum Lichen

Clypeococcum, commonly known as Clypeococcum Lichen, is a fascinating group of lichenicolous fungi. This means they are fungi that live on lichens, often in a parasitic or symbiotic relationship.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Clypeococcum D. Hawksw.
  • Common Name: Clypeococcum Lichen
  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Family: Dacampiaceae
  • Rank: Genus

Species

Several species belong to the genus Clypeococcum, including:

  • Clypeococcum cladonema
  • Clypeococcum epicrassum (H. Olivier) Hafellner &amp Nav.-Ros.
  • Clypeococcum grossum (Korber) D. Hawksw.
  • Clypeococcum hypocenomycis D. Hawksw.
  • Clypeococcum cetrariae Hafellner
  • Clypeococcum bisporum
  • Clypeococcum psoromatis (A. Massal.) Etayo

Distribution and Habitat

  • Clypeococcum species are found in various regions, including Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, and the Ukrainian Carpathians.
  • They grow on the thallus (body) of other lichens.
  • Clypeococcum cetrariae has been found infecting Cetraria islandica (Iceland moss).
  • Clypeococcum epicrassum is a frequent inhabitant of Squamarina lichens.
  • Clypeococcum hypocenomycis sometimes hosts on Hypocenomyce scalaris.

Ecological Role

  • Clypeococcum species are lichenicolous fungi, meaning they grow on other lichens.
  • Some, like Clypeococcum hypocenomycis, can cause necrosis and degeneration of their host lichen.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Clypeococcum species parasitize various lichen species.
  • They may have a preference for the fungal symbiont of the host lichen.

Further Information

  • USDA Plants Database
  • British Lichen Society (BLS) Lichen Database
  • Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region (Ertz, 2004)