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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia pinastri

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" may refer to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Phylum: Ascomycota
  • Class: Lecanoromycetes
  • Order: The text mentions membership in the family Arthoniaceae, indicating an order exists, but doesn't explicitly state it.
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for Arthonia and related species), Icmadophilaceae (for Dibaeis absoluta), Ramalinaceae (for poplar dot lichen)

Examples of Dot Lichen Species

  • Arthonia arthonioides - Dot Lichen
  • Arthonia asteriscus - Dot Lichen
  • Arthonia glebosa - Dot Lichen
  • Arthonia dispersa - Dispersed Dot Lichen
  • Arthonia tuckermaniana - Tuckerman's Dot Lichen
  • Arthonia rubella - Dot Lichen (found on Palm tree bark)
  • Micarea nitschkeana - Nitschke's Dot Lichen
  • Dibaeis absoluta - Pink Dot Lichen (synonym: Dibaeis absoluta (Tuckerman) Kalb &amp Gierl)
  • Bacidia rubella - Frosty-rimmed Dot Lichen
  • Leptorhaphis epidermidis - Birchbark Dot Lichen
  • Leptorhaphis atomaria - Birchbark Dot Lichen
  • Micarea globulosella - Globe Dot Lichen
  • Scoliciosporum chlorococcum - City Dot Lichen (synonym: Bacidia chlorococca)
  • Mycobilimbia pilularis - Dot Lichen
  • Caloplaca arenaria - Granite firedot lichen
  • Cliostomum griffithii - Multicolored dot lichen
  • Caloplaca holocarpa - Firedot lichen

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot lichens can be found growing on rocks, including in locations like Mt. Rainier National Park.
  • They are also found on tree bark, with examples including palm trees in Florida and birch trees.
  • One source notes that dot lichen is abundant in the New Orleans area.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis, a Dot Lichen, is a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus. It lacks soredia or isidia and has yellowy-brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) features pink apothecia born on very short (approximately 1 mm) stalks.
  • Some species grow in small dots.
  • Speckled Shield Lichens are grey foliose lichens with tiny white dots and lobules.

Quirky Facts

  • The text mentions an article with the headline "I'm lichen it!", a pun referencing the word "liking".
  • One source refers to "blazing firedot lichen clinging to a slab".

Resources and Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Catalogue of Life
  • USDA
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
  • ResearchGate
  • WikiSpecies
  • Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)