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dot lichen
Scientific Name: Arthonia ochrodiscodes
Family: Arthoniaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Dot Lichen
The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name that refers to lichens belonging to either the genus Arthonia or the genus Micarea. "Dotted lichens" refers to species in the genus Bacidia.
Considerations for Pets
- Some dot lichens grow on trees and rocks, so they may be encountered during outdoor exploration with pets.
Considerations for Children
- Dot lichens grow on trees and rocks, so they may be encountered during outdoor exploration by children.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota
- Class: Lecanoromycetes
- Family: Arthoniaceae (for Arthonia) or Micareaceae (for Micarea) or Icmadophilaceae (for Pink Dot Lichen)
- Rank: Genus (Arthonia, Micarea, Bacidia)
Distribution and Habitat
- Dot lichens are found in various locations, including the New Orleans area.
- Some species grow on rocks in areas such as Mt. Rainier National Park.
- They can also be found on tree bark, as seen with Arthonia rubella on palm trees in Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA.
Morphological Characteristics
- Mycobilimbia pilularis, a type of Dot Lichen, is a crustose lichen featuring 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 (ca. 1 mm) stalks.
- Some Speckled Shield Lichens have tiny white dots and lobules.
Ecological Role
- In the New Orleans area, dot lichen is considered abundant, often going unnoticed.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Some dot lichens grow on palm tree bark.
Quirky Facts
- Someone once made the pun "I'm lichen it!" in a Times article about eating oak moss.
Examples of Specific Dot Lichen Species
- Arthonia arthonioides
- Arthonia asteriscus
- Arthonia exilis
- Arthonia dispersa (Dispersed Dot Lichen)
- Arthonia tuckermaniana (Tuckerman's Dot Lichen)
- Arthonia glebosa
- Arthonia rubella
- Bacidia rubella (Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen)
- Dibaeis absoluta (Pink Dot Lichen)
- Japewia tornoensis (Hidden Dot Lichen)
- Micarea erratica (Erratic Dot Lichen)
- Micarea nitschkeana (Nitschke's Dot Lichen)
- Leptorhaphis epidermidis (Birchbark Dot Lichen)
- Leptorhaphis atomaria (Birchbark Dot Lichen)
- Micarea globulosella (Globe Dot Lichen)
- Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (City Dot Lichen). Synonyms: Bacidia chlorococca
Synonyms
- Bacidia chlorococca is a synonym for Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (City Dot Lichen).
Resources and Further Information
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Catalogue of Life
- USDA
- Missouri Botanical Garden (MO)
- Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)
- WikiSpecies
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
- ResearchGate