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melaspilea lichen

Scientific Name: Melaspilea amota

Family: Melaspileaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Melaspilea: A Lichenous Fungus

Melaspilea is a genus of lichenicolous fungi, often referred to collectively as "melaspilea lichen." These fascinating organisms engage in a unique relationship with other lichens, with the Melaspilea thallus immersed within its host.

Considerations for Pets

  • Melaspilea is lichenous.
  • The thallus of Melaspilea is immersed in the host lichen.

Considerations for Children

  • Melaspilea is lichenous.
  • The thallus of Melaspilea is immersed in the host lichen.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Melaspilea
  • Common Name: Melaspilea Lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Family: Melaspileaceae
  • Rank: Genus; Species (e.g., Melaspilea demissa, Melaspilea lentiginosa)
  • Synonyms:
    • Hazlinszkya Krb.
    • Melanographa Mll. Arg.
    • Melaspileella (P. Karst.) Vain.
    • Melaspileomyces Cif.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Melaspilea species are found globally, including:
    • USA (e.g., southeastern USA for Melaspilea demissa)
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • UK
    • Turkey
    • Armenia
    • Panama
  • They are often found on veteran trees.

Ecological Role

  • Melaspilea species are lichenicolous, meaning they grow on and sometimes parasitize other lichens. The presence of Melaspilea lentiginosa has been recorded as parasitising other lichens in the UK.
  • In extreme cases, the Melaspilea can cover the entire thallus of the host lichen.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The Melaspilea thallus is often immersed within the host lichen.
  • The thallus can be smooth, continuous, whitish or white.
  • Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are numerous, dotted, and scattered over the thallus.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Melaspilea interacts primarily with other lichens, acting as a parasite in some cases.
  • Other fungi may co-occur within lichen thalli alongside Melaspilea.
  • Many species of fungi, lichen, mosses, beetles, birds and bats rely solely on the presence of veteran trees for Melaspilea lentiginosa (a lichen)
  • Nearby Melaspilea lentiginosa has been recorded parasitising other lichens.

Resources and Further Information

  • NBN (data.nbn.org.uk) has the UK distribution map of Melaspilea lentiginosa.
  • British Lichen Society (BLS)
  • Catalogue of Life
  • ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)