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coccotrema lichen
Scientific Name: Coccotrema pocillarium
Family: Coccotremataceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Coccotrema maritimum
Coccotrema maritimum is a crustose lichen known commonly as volcano lichen, a name derived from the volcano-like appearance of its fruit bodies. Another common name is seaside coccotrema lichen.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Coccotrema maritimum
- Family: Coccotremataceae
- Synonym: Perforaria (mentioned as a synonym of the genus Coccotrema)
- Related Species: Coccotrema cucurbitula, Coccotrema pocillarium, Coccotrema corallinum, Coccotrema citrinescens, Coccotrema porinopsis, Coccotrema thelioplacum f. isidiosum
- Coccotrema pocillarium is also known as Ochrolechia pacifica
Distribution and Habitat
- Coccotrema maritimum can be found forming conspicuous bands along shoreline rocks, notably in locations like the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, and Vancouver Island (Tofino area).
- It also occurs in southern South America.
Morphological Characteristics
- The lichen thallus is creamy white to pinkish gray in color.
- It can be fairly thick and form extensive patches or even bands.
Ecological Role
- Coccotrema maritimum is a marine lichen, representing an intimate association between a fungus and an algae.
- It can exhibit zonation patterns with other lichens like Verrucaria spp.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- As a lichen, it consists of an intimate association between a fungus and an algae.
Further Information
- The University of British Columbia Herbarium (UBC) has a collection including Coccotrema maritimum.
- Brodo, I.M. (1973) The lichen genus Coccotrema in North America. - The Bryologist 76: 260-270.