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American gomphillus lichen
Scientific Name: Gomphillus americanus
Family: Gomphillaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
American Gomphillus Lichen
The American gomphillus lichen, scientifically known as Gomphillus americanus Essl., is a lichen species within the Gomphillaceae family.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Gomphillus americanus Essl.
- Common Name: American gomphillus lichen
- Kingdom: Not specified in provided text.
- Family: Gomphillaceae
- Order: Ostropales (as the family Gomphillaceae belongs to this order)
- Genus: GOMPHILLUS
- Synonyms/Related Taxa: The text mentions Gomphillus calycioides and Gomphillus caribaeus, suggesting these are related species within the same genus.
Distribution and Habitat
- Gomphillus americanus is found in eastern North America.
- The genus Gomphillus has a broader distribution, including North and South America, Hawaii, and the seaboard of Europe and Macronesia.
- One specific location mentioned is Dabney Creek in the Ozarks, Arkansas, where it was found growing on mossy rock.
Morphological Characteristics
- The text indicates that Gomphillus americanus is difficult to locate unless fertile.
- It mentions hyphophores (specialized structures for asexual reproduction) and their development in Gomphillus.
Ecological Role
- The U.S. Invasive Species Impact Rank (I-Rank) for Gomphillus americanus has not yet been assessed.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- It has been observed growing on mossy rock, indicating a close association with mosses.
Resources and Further Information
- The American Bryological and Lichenological Society, Inc.
- North American Lichen Checklist (Esslinger, 2006)
- Key to Gomphillus of Eastern North America: http://www.nybg.org/bsci/lichens/eln/gomphillus.html
- The herbarium documenting the lichens of eastern North America serves as a primary resource.