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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia hypobela

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen: A World of Tiny Wonders

Dot lichen is a common name applied to various lichens, most notably those belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. The term "dotted lichens" sometimes refers to lichens within the genus Bacidia.

Considerations for Pets

  • Lichens grow on trees, stones, and other natural surfaces.

Considerations for Children

  • Lichens grow on trees, stones, and other natural surfaces.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for some dot lichens) and Icmadophilaceae (for Pink Dot Lichen) and Micareaceae (for Erratic Dot Lichen).
  • Genus Examples: Arthonia, Micarea, Bacidia.
  • Species Examples:
    • Arthonia arthonioides
    • Arthonia asteriscus
    • Arthonia exilis
    • Arthonia dispersa
    • Arthonia tuckermaniana
    • Arthonia glebosa
    • Micarea nitschkeana
    • Micarea globulosella (Globe Dot Lichen)
    • Mycobilimbia pilularis
    • Bacidia rubella (Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen)
    • Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (City Dot Lichen; synonym: Bacidia chlorococca)
    • Micarea erratica (Erratic Dot Lichen)
    • Dibaeis absoluta (Pink Dot Lichen; synonyms: Dibaeis absoluta (Tuckerman) Kalb &amp Gierl)
    • Leptorhaphis epidermidis (Birchbark Dot Lichen)
    • Leptorhaphis atomaria (Birchbark Dot Lichen)

Morphological Characteristics

  • Dot lichens often appear as small dots on various surfaces.
  • Mycobilimbia pilularis ('Dot Lichen') is described as a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus and yellowy-brown apothecia.
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) has pink apothecia on short stalks (approximately 1 mm).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens can be found in various locations, including:
  • Mt. Rainier National Park (polka dot lichen).
  • Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA (Arthonia rubella on palm tree bark).
  • New Orleans area (abundant lichens).

Ecology and Interactions

  • Some lichens grow on bark, such as the Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis epidermidis and Leptorhaphis atomaria).

Quirky Facts

  • The headline "I'm lichen it!" appeared in the Times in an article about eating oak moss.

Resources and Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • USDA
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
  • ResearchGate
  • WikiSpecies