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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Micarea

Family: Micareaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen

The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name applied to various lichens, specifically those belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. The term "Dotted lichens" refers to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Dot lichens can appear as small dots on rocks, as observed in locations like Mt. Rainier National Park. They exhibit a wide range of colors and forms.

Considerations for Pets

  • Lichens in general may grow on trees and rocks in gardens or areas where pets roam.

Considerations for Children

  • Lichens, including dot lichens, are often found on rocks and trees in natural settings frequented by children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for some dot lichens like Arthonia species)
  • Kingdom: Fungi (including lichens)
  • Genus Examples:
    • Arthonia
    • Micarea
    • Bacidia (referred to as "Dotted lichens")
  • Synonyms: Some species previously classified as Bacidia chlorococca are now known as Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (City Dot Lichen).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Found in Arctic Eurasia, Europe, the Americas (including North America and Mexico), and Oceania (Australasia).
  • Observed on palm tree bark in Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA.
  • Grows on rocks in locations like Mt. Rainier National Park.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis ('Dot Lichen') is a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus without soredia or isidia, and yellowy-brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) has pink apothecia born on very short stalks, arising from a thin greenish crustose primary thallus.
  • Dot lichens can have a range of appearances, including scattered dots, firedot patterns, and multicolored forms.

Examples of Dot Lichen Names

  • Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis)
  • Frosty-rimmed dot lichen (Bacidia rubella)
  • Hidden Dot Lichen (Japewia tornoensis)
  • Northern Crimson Dot Lichen (Pyrrhospora cinnabarina)
  • Golden Dot-Lichen (Arthrorhaphis citrinella)
  • Dispersed dot lichen (Arthonia dispersa)
  • Tuckerman's dot lichen (Arthonia tuckermaniana)
  • Nitschke's dot lichen (Micarea nitschkeana)
  • Granite firedot lichen (Caloplaca arenaria)

Further Information

  • iNaturalist.org: Provides classification and sighting information.
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • LIASlight database
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
  • ResearchGate: Contains conservation assessments for certain dot lichen species (e.g., Pink Dot Lichen).