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dot lichen
Scientific Name: Arthonia mediella
Family: Arthoniaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Dot Lichen: A World of Tiny Wonders
The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name applied to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. The phrase "Dotted Lichens" can also refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia.
Considerations for Pets
- Some dot lichens grow on trees and rocks.
- Some dot lichens are very small and may be easily overlooked, but curious pets could come into contact with them.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Family: Arthoniaceae (for Arthonia species)
- Family: Icmadophilaceae (for Dibaeis absoluta, Pink Dot Lichen)
- Family: Micareaceae (for Micarea erratica, Erratic Dot Lichen)
- Synonyms: Bacidia chlorococca (synonym for Scoliciosporum chlorococcum, City Dot Lichen)
- Examples of Species:
- Arthonia arthonioides - Dot Lichen
- Arthonia asteriscus - Dot Lichen
- Dibaeis absoluta - Pink Dot Lichen
- Micarea erratica - Erratic Dot Lichen
- Leptorhaphis epidermidis - Birchbark Dot Lichen
- Leptorhaphis atomaria - Birchbark Dot Lichen
- Micarea globulosella - Globe Dot Lichen
- Arthonia exilis - Dispersed Dot Lichen
- Arthonia dispersa - Dispersed Dot Lichen
- Arthonia tuckermaniana - Tuckerman's Dot Lichen
- Micarea nitschkeana - Nitschke's Dot Lichen
- Arthonia glebosa - Dot Lichen
- Arthonia rubella - Dot Lichen
- Scoliciosporum chlorococcum - City Dot Lichen
- Bacidia rubella - Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen
Distribution and Habitat
- Dot lichens can be found in various locations, including:
- New Orleans area
- Mount Rainier National Park (growing on rocks)
- Bahia Honda Key, Florida (on palm tree bark)
Morphological Characteristics
- Mycobilimbia pilularis ('Dot Lichen') is a crustose lichen.
- It has a grayish-green thallus without soredia or isidia.
- It possesses yellowy-brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
- Dibaeis absoluta (Pink Dot Lichen) has pink apothecia born on very short stalks (ca. 1 mm).
Quirky Facts
- The author of "Nature Notes by Bob Thomas" states that the most abundant lichen in the New Orleans area goes unnoticed by almost everyone.
- One source mentions someone "lichen" an article about eating oak moss in the Times.
Further Information
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Catalogue of Life
- USDA Plants Database
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
- ResearchGate