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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia platygraphidea

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen

The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name applied to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. The term "Dotted lichens" refers to lichens in the genus Bacidia.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for Arthonia and some Micarea species) and Icmadophilaceae (for Dibaeis absoluta)
  • Kingdom: Fungi (for City Dot Lichen Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
  • Phylum: Ascomycota (for City Dot Lichen Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
  • Class: Lecanoromycetes (for City Dot Lichen Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)
  • Order: Unspecified (for genera Arthonia and Micarea)
  • Synonyms: Bacidia chlorococca (synonym for City Dot Lichen Scoliciosporum chlorococcum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • One source notes Dot Lichens being abundant in the New Orleans area.
  • One lichen grows on rocks in Mt. Rainier National Park.
  • One Dot Lichen species (Arthonia rubella) is found on Palm tree bark in Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis, known as 'Dot Lichen', is a crustose lichen with a grayish-green thallus.
  • Mycobilimbia pilularis does not have soredia or isidia.
  • Mycobilimbia pilularis has yellowy brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
  • DIBAEIS ABSOLUTA (Pink Dot Lichen) has pink apothecia born on very short stalks (ca. 1 mm).

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Some Dot Lichens grow on tree bark.

Resources and Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • MO (likely referring to the Missouri Botanical Garden)
  • ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
  • BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
  • WikiSpecies
  • USDA
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
  • ResearchGate