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cracked lichen
Scientific Name: Acarospora
Family: Acarosporaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Cracked Lichen (Acarospora spp.)
Cracked lichens, often resembling cobblestone roads or cracked paint, belong to the genus Acarospora. These lichens are known for their cracked-areolate thallus, a continuous crust that develops cracks during growth.
Considerations for Pets
- Cracked lichens often grow on rocks.
Considerations for Children
- Cracked lichens often grow on rocks.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Acarospora spp.
- Common Names: Cobblestone lichens, Cracked lichens
- Family: Acarosporaceae
- Kingdom: Fungi (based on mention of "Kingdom Fungi" in relation to Acarospora schleicheri)
- Genus: Acarospora
Examples of species include:
- Acarospora hilaris
- Acarospora aeruginosa
- Acarospora albomarginata
- Acarospora arenosa
- Acarospora schleicheri
- Acarospora nodulosa
- Acarospora socialis
- Acarospora badiofusca
Distribution and Habitat
- These lichens are extremely rare and grow in very inhospitable regions.
- Examples of locations include:
- Idaho
- Planalto das Cezaredas, Portugal
- Rocky Mountains
Morphological Characteristics
- The thallus (lichen body) is initially made up of separate lumps growing on the prothallus.
- These lumps often grow together to produce a continuous cracked surface, described as "cracked-areolate."
- Some species may have a white, cracked thallus that appears slightly frosted (e.g., Buellia subalbula).
- Some species have bright yellow aeroles (e.g., crustaceous lichen).
Ecological Role
- Lichens contribute to the breakdown of rocks through slow chemical and physical weathering processes.
Quirky Facts
- It can take decades for cracked lichens to grow over a single rock, highlighting their extremely slow growth rate.
Further Information
- Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
- Mushroom Observer (mushroomobserver.org)