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megalospora lichen

Scientific Name: Megalospora tuberculosa

Family: Megalosporaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Megalospora: An Overview of a Lichen Genus

Megalospora is a genus of crustose apothecial lichens belonging to the family Megalosporaceae. These lichens are found in various regions around the world and play a role in their respective ecosystems.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Megalospora J. Meyen in J. Meyen & Flotow, 1843
  • Family: Megalosporaceae
  • Kingdom: Fungi (inferred)
  • Rank: Genus, with numerous species and subspecies identified
  • Synonyms:
    • Bombyliospora pachycarpa (as a synonym for Megalospora tuberculosa)
  • Alternative Scientific Names:
    • Magalospora (likely a misspelling)

Common Names

  • Megalospora Lichen
  • Magalospora Lichen

Distribution and Habitat

  • Megalospora species are found in various locations globally, including:
    • Britain and Ireland
    • Australia and its Island Territories
    • Java
    • Taiwan
    • Florida, Ocala National Forest (Megalospora pachycheila on Quercus)
    • Madeira
    • New Zealand
  • The genus thrives in both tropical and temperate environments.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Megalospora are described as crustose apothecial lichens, meaning they form a crust-like growth on their substrate and produce apothecia (fruiting bodies).
  • Growth Habit: Lichenous

Ecological Role

  • Megalospora tuberculosa is known to be a host for the fungus Sclerococcum hawksworthii, illustrating an interaction between different fungal species.

Quirky Facts

  • The text refers to instances of "Magalospora" instead of "Megalospora," which might be common misspellings or variations in literature that are important to note.
  • Several research papers have focused on the genus Megalospora in specific geographic locations like Java, indicating regional diversity and specific characteristics.

Further Information

  • Information about Megalospora can be found at various herbaria and institutions, including:
    • MSC (Likely referring to an institution housing lichen collections made by Henry A. Imshaug)
    • Lichen Herbarium Berlin
    • ABRS (Checklist of the Lichens of Australia and its Island Territories)
    • British Lichen Society (BLS)