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arthothelium lichen

Scientific Name: Arthothelium orbilliferum

Family:

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Arthothelium: An Overview

Arthothelium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the family Arthoniaceae.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Arthothelium
  • Rank: Genus, Species (depending on the specific taxon)
  • Family: Arthoniaceae
  • Class: Arthoniomycetes
  • Order: Arthoniales
  • Phylum: Lichens
  • Synonyms:
    • Arthothelium ilicinum var. reagens
    • Arthothelium reagans

Common Names

  • Arthothelium Lichen
  • Jaguar-spot comma lichen (for Arthothelium ruanum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Arthothelium species are widespread.
  • They can be found in various locations including:
    • Britain (possibly endemic species)
    • India
    • Singapore
    • Taiwan
    • Galapagos Islands
    • West Bengal
    • North America (north of Mexico)
    • Michigan, USA (e.g. Cheboygan County)
  • They often grow in woodlands, particularly on the bark of trees such as Beech and Rowan.
  • Some species are corticolous (growing on bark).

Morphological Characteristics

  • Grown Habit: Lichenous

Species Examples

  • Arthothelium adveniens
  • Arthothelium albidum
  • Arthothelium ampliatum
  • Arthothelium awasthii
  • Arthothelium biodroid
  • Arthothelium dictyosporum
  • Arthothelium galapagoense
  • Arthothelium interveniens
  • Arthothelium macounii
  • Arthothelium macrothecum
  • Arthothelium microsporum
  • Arthothelium orbilliferum
  • Arthothelium pruinascens
  • Arthothelium ruanum
  • Arthothelium saxicolum
  • Arthothelium spectabile
  • Arthothelium subcyrtodes
  • Arthothelium taediosum

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Arthothelium is a dual organism, consisting of both an alga (or cyanobacterium) and a fungus.
  • Some species are epiphytic, meaning they grow on other plants without harming them.
  • They can be affected by the presence of phorophytes (plants that support epiphytes).
  • Certain lichenicolous fungi can grow on Arthothelium species.

Quirky Facts

  • Arthothelium ruanum is also known as the "Jaguar-spot comma lichen".
  • Arthothelium galapagoense produces a cyclic depsipeptide called Arthogalin.

Further Information

  • NBNSYS0000015525 (Taxon Version Key)
  • EOL (Encyclopedia of Life)
  • Drone-Application-Server database
  • Australian New Crops Web Site
  • SINGAPORE LICHENS