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dirinaria lichen

Scientific Name: Dirinaria confluens

Family: Physciaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dirinaria Lichen

The genus Dirinaria encompasses a variety of lichenized fungi, with notable species including Dirinaria picta and Dirinaria applanata. These lichens are found worldwide and have been the subject of various scientific studies.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some Dirinaria species have an upper part encrusted with lichen acids.

Considerations for Children

  • Some Dirinaria species have an upper part encrusted with lichen acids.

Scientific Name(s) and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Dirinaria picta (Sw.) Schaer. ex Clem.
  • Common Name: Dirinaria Lichen
  • Other species include: Dirinaria applanata, Dirinaria frostii, Dirinaria aegialita, Dirinaria aspera, Dirinaria confluens.
  • Dirinaria frostii common name: Frost's Dirinaria Lichen or Frost's Smooth Rosette

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Genus: Dirinaria (Tuck.) Clem.
  • Family: Physciaceae (or Caliciaceae based on other references)
  • Kingdom: Fungi (for Dirinaria frostii)
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names: Dirinaria aegialita (Afz.) B. Moore = Dirinaria aspera (H. Magn.) D.D. Awasthi = Physcia aspera H. Magn.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dirinaria is mainly a pantropical and subtropical genus.
  • Dirinaria picta has been found growing on trees in Thailand and the Galapagos.
  • Dirinaria applanata has been found in Taiwan.
  • Two species, D. applanata and D. picta, are recognized in the South Korean lichen mycota.

Ecological Role

  • Lichens can be bioindicators of heavy metal pollution. Dirinaria picta has been studied in Singapore for this purpose.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Dirinaria is a lichenized fungi.
  • Dirinaria species is commonly found growing on tree trunks.
  • Some Dirinaria species have a scarlet red color.
  • "Narrow lobed, tightly attached." Underside black, lacking.

Genetic/Cytological Information

  • A non-reducing polyketide synthase gene (DnPKS, 8162 bp) has been characterized from Dirinaria applanata.
  • DnPKS is down-regulated by sucrose and up-regulated by something not fully shown in source text.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Lichens are symbiotic organisms consisting of a fungus and algae.
  • Dirinaria and Trentepohlia found on a coconut tree trunk together.

Further Information

  • Greater Sonoran Desert Lichen Flora. Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2001.
  • Awasthi, D.D. (1975), A monograph of the lichen genus Dirinaria, Biblioth. Lichenol.
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • A Monograph of the Lichen Genus Dirinaria (Bibliotheca Lichenologica volume 2 ) D.D. Awasthi