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Dot Lichen: A World of Tiny Wonders

The term "Dot Lichen" serves as a common name for lichens belonging to the genus Arthonia or the genus Micarea. "Dotted lichens" may also refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Group: Lichen
• Family: Arthoniaceae (for Arthonia species) and Ramalinaceae (for poplar dot lichen)
• Kingdom: Fungi (Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, but are often classified within the Fungi kingdom)
• Phylum: Ascomycota (for species like Bacidia rubella and Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
• Class: Lecanoromycetes (for species like Bacidia rubella and Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
• Order: (Implied Lecanorales for species like Bacidia rubella and Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)

Synonyms/Alternative Names: Some species have synonyms such as City Dot Lichen (Scoliciosporum chlorococcum) also known as Bacidia chlorococca.

Distribution and Habitat

Dot lichens are found in various environments. For example, one source notes their abundance in the New Orleans area. Specific species, such as Arthonia rubella, have been observed on palm tree bark in locations like Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA. Others are found in areas like Mt. Rainier National Park growing on rocks. Birchbark Dot Lichen can be found growing on birch trees.

Morphological Characteristics

• Mycobilimbia pilularis, described as 'Dot Lichen', is a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus and yellowy-brown apothecia.
• DIBAEIS ABSOLUTA (Pink Dot Lichen) features pink apothecia on short stalks (around 1 mm).

Common Names and Examples

• Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis epidermidis or Leptorhaphis atomaria)
• Orange Dot Lichen (Protoblastenia rupestris)
• Hidden Dot Lichen (Japewia toroensis)
• Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen (Bacidia rubella)
• Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta)
• Cherry-laurel dot lichen
• City Dot Lichen (Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
• Granite firedot lichen (Caloplaca arenaria)
• Firedot lichen (Caloplaca holocarpa)
• Scattered-dot Goldspeck Lichen
• Sulfur Firedot Lichen

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Some dot lichens are found on tree bark, indicating an epiphytic relationship.

Resources and Further Information

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