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Dot Lichen: A World of Tiny Wonders

The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name applied to various lichens, most notably those belonging to the genera Arthonia and Micarea. "Dotted Lichens" refers to lichens in the genus Bacidia. These organisms, often unnoticed, play unique roles in their ecosystems.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Dot Lichens grow on trees or rocks and form small dots. Preserved lichens are even used in jewelry. It's prudent to prevent pets, especially those prone to chewing, from ingesting lichens.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Common Name: Dot Lichen
• Genera: Arthonia, Micarea, Bacidia
• Family: Arthoniaceae (for some Dot Lichens, but GLOBULOSE DOT LICHEN is of the family Ramalinaceae)
• Kingdom: Fungi (Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria)
• Synonyms: Based on the text, City Dot Lichen (Scoliciosporum chlorococcum) has a synonym of Bacidia chlorococca.

Distribution and Habitat

• Dot lichens are found in various regions, including the New Orleans area, Mount Rainier National Park, and Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA.
• They inhabit diverse substrates such as bark (e.g., palm tree bark), rocks, and soil.

Morphological Characteristics

• Mycobilimbia pilularis ('Dot Lichen') is a crustose lichen featuring a grayish-green thallus that lacks soredia and isidia. It also has yellowy-brown, biatorine, convex apothecia.
• Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) has pink apothecia that are born on very short stalks.

Notable Species

• Birchbark Dot Lichen: Species within the genus Leptorhaphis.
• Orange Dot Lichen: Protoblastenia rupestris
• Hidden Dot Lichen: Japewia torrensis
• Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen: Bacidia rubella
• Granite firedot lichen: Caloplaca arenaria
• City Dot Lichen: Scoliciosporum chlorococcum
• Dispersed dot lichen: Arthonia dispersa
• Tuckerman's dot lichen: Arthonia tuckermaniana
• Nitschke's dot lichen: Micarea nitschkeana

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Dot Lichens, as lichens, are themselves a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria.

Resources and Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life
• Catalogue of Life
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
• ResearchGate
• Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
• MO (likely Missouri Botanical Garden)
• ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
• BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
• WikiSpecies