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dot lichen

Scientific Name: Arthonia rupicola

Family: Arthoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dot Lichen: A Diverse Group of Lichens

The term "Dot Lichen" is a common name applied to lichens belonging to the genera Arthonia or Micarea. Additionally, lichens in the genus Bacidia are referred to as "Dotted Lichens." It's important to note that common names can sometimes overlap or differ from scientific classifications.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Group: Lichen
  • Family: Arthoniaceae (for some Dot Lichens)
  • Rank: Genus (for Arthonia and Micarea)

Examples of Dot Lichens

  • Birchbark Dot Lichen: Leptorhaphis epidermidis and Leptorhaphis atomaria
  • Orange Dot Lichen: Protoblastenia rupestris
  • Hidden Dot Lichen: Japewia tornoensis
  • Pink Dot Lichen: Dibaeis absoluta (Family: Icmadophilaceae)
  • Cherry-laurel Dot Lichen
  • Dispersed Dot Lichen: Arthonia dispersa
  • Tuckerman's Dot Lichen: Arthonia tuckermaniana
  • Nitschke's Dot Lichen: Micarea nitschkeana
  • Globe Dot Lichen: Micarea globulosella
  • City Dot Lichen: Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (Synonym: Bacidia chlorococca)
  • Erratic Dot Lichen: Micarea erratica (Family: Micareaceae)
  • Granite Firedot Lichen: Caloplaca arenaria
  • Frosted-rimmed Dot Lichen: Bacidia rubella
  • Sulfur Firedot Lichen

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mycobilimbia pilularis 'Dot Lichen' is a crustose lichen with a grayish green thallus without soredia or isidia and yellowy brown biatorine, convex apothecia.
  • Pink Dot Lichen (Dibaeis absoluta) features pink apothecia born on very short (ca. 1 mm) stalks.
  • Lichens often grow in small dots on rocks.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dot Lichens are found in diverse environments, including rocks in Mt. Rainier National Park.
  • Arthonia rubella can be found growing on palm tree bark in Bahia Honda Key, Florida, USA.
  • The most abundant lichen in the New Orleans area goes unnoticed by most people.

Quirky Facts

  • The headline "I'm lichen it!" appeared in the Times on an article about eating oak moss.

Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
  • WikiSpecies
  • USDA
  • Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany