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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia byssacea

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen: A Diverse Group of Lichens

The common name "Dot Lichen" refers to lichens found within the genera Arthonia or Micarea. The term "Dotted Lichens" may also refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for some Dot Lichens)
  • Kingdom: Fungi (Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, but are often classified under Fungi)

Examples of Dot Lichens and Their Classifications:

  • Birchbark Dot Lichen: Leptorhaphis (Genus)
  • Pink Dot Lichen: Dibaeis absoluta; Family Icmadophilaceae
  • City Dot Lichen: Scoliciosporum chlorococcum; Synonyms: Bacidia chlorococca
  • Orange Dot Lichen: Protoblastenia rupestris

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot Lichens are found in various locations, including Mt. Rainier National Park (growing on rocks) and the New Orleans area (where they are reportedly abundant).
  • They can be found on tree bark, such as palm trees (e.g., Arthonia rubella on palm trees in Bahia Honda Key, Florida).
  • Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis epidermidis and Leptorhaphis atomaria) grows on birch bark.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis ('Dot Lichen') is a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus, lacking soredia or isidia, and featuring yellowy-brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) has pink apothecia on very short stalks (approximately 1 mm).
  • Some lichens grow in small dots.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Dot Lichens form symbiotic relationships with algae or cyanobacteria.

Resources and Further Information

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

Quirky Facts

  • Some lichen descriptive names include: dot lichens ground rag sunken disk leaf dot fire dot jewel candle flame yolk goldspeck mottled ruffle shield honeycomb