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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia luridoalba

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen: A World of Tiny Wonders

The term "Dot Lichen" refers to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. Lichens in the genus Bacidia are also sometimes referred to as "Dotted Lichens." This common name reflects the appearance of many of these lichens, which often grow as small, dot-like structures on various surfaces.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for Arthonia), Micareaceae (for Micarea), Icmadophilaceae (for Pink Dot Lichen)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens are found in a wide variety of habitats, including on rocks (even in Mt. Rainier National Park), tree bark (including palm trees in Florida), and other surfaces.
  • The Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis epidermidis and Leptorhaphis atomaria) grows on birch bark.
  • One source notes that dot lichens are abundant in the New Orleans area.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis, a 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 born on short stalks.
  • Some dot lichens grow in small dots.

Quirky Facts

  • One article headline exclaims, "I'm lichen it!" in reference to eating oak moss.

Examples of Dot Lichens

  • Birchbark Dot Lichen (Leptorhaphis epidermidis, Leptorhaphis atomaria)
  • Orange Dot Lichen (Protoblastenia rupestris)
  • Hidden Dot Lichen (Japewia tornoensis)
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta)
  • City Dot Lichen (Scoliciosporum chlorococcum, Syn: Bacidia chlorococca)
  • Erratic Dot Lichen (Micarea erratica)
  • Granite firedot lichen (Caloplaca arenaria)
  • Multicolored dot lichen (Cliostomum griffithii)
  • Dispersed dot lichen (Arthonia dispersa)
  • Tuckerman's dot lichen (Arthonia tuckermaniana)
  • Nitschke's dot lichen (Micarea nitschkeana)
  • Sulfur Firedot Lichen
  • Globe Dot Lichen (Micarea globulosella)

Resources and Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Catalogue of Life
  • USDA
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
  • ResearchGate
  • WikiSpecies
  • MO (likely referring to the Missouri Botanical Garden)
  • ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
  • BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)