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protothelenella lichen
Scientific Name: Protothelenella sphinctrinoides
Family: Protothelenellaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Protothelenella
Protothelenella is a genus of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the family Protothelenellaceae. These lichens are classified within the broader group of Lichens.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Protothelenella
- Family: Protothelenellaceae
- Taxonomic Rank: Genus
- Accepted Species: Protothelenella sphinctrinoides
- Synonyms:
- Protothelenella sphinctrinoidella (Nyl.) H. Mayrhofer & Poelt
- Microglaena sphinctrinoides (Nyl.) Lnnr. (for Protothelenella sphinctrinoides)
Note: The text uses Protothelenella sphinctrinoidella as a valid name but also uses Protothelenella sphinctrinoides. Both names are associated with H. Mayrhofer & Poelt, which may indicate a taxonomic revision or synonymy.
Common Names
- Protothelenella sphinctrinoides is known as Sphincter-like nipple lichen (English) and Protothlenelle faux-sphincter (French).
- Protothelenella sphinctrinoidella is known as Small sphincter-like nipple lichen (English) and Protothlenelle petit (French).
Distribution and Habitat
Protothelenella species are found in various regions, including:
- Greater Sonoran Desert Region
- Iceland
- Romania
- Pacific Northwest
- Alaska
- Norway
- Findhorn Dunes (Scotland)
They often occur in arctic-alpine to boreal-montane environments, circumpolar regions, on muribund bryophytes on soil and rock, more rarely on soil, and in rather disturbed sites. Some species are found on driftwood and others on rock habitats.
Ecological Role
Some Protothelenella species can be found growing over green algae and leprose lichens.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Some species are lichenicolous, meaning they grow on other lichens. For example, Protothelenella sphinctrioides can be associated with Lopadium species.
- Protothelenella species have a symbiotic relationship with the alga Elliptochloris.
Morphological Characteristics
Species of Protothelenella have ascus tips that stain I+ blue.
Quirky Facts
- The common name "Sphincter-like nipple lichen" for Protothelenella sphinctrinoides is certainly memorable and reflects the lichen's unique appearance.
Further Information
- Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region (Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2001)
- Recent Literature on Lichens (RLL List # 159 / Rec.# 20405)
- Lichen Gallery of Leif & Anita Stridvall
- Drone-Application-Server database