SafePlants

Rimularia

Rimularia is a genus of lichen-forming fungi. Several species are mentioned in the provided texts, including:

• Rimularia furvella (Nyl. ex Mudd) Hertel &amp Rambold
• Rimularia badioatra (Kremp.)
• Rimularia gibbosa (Ach.) Coppins, Hertel &amp Rambold 1990
• Rimularia applanata
• Rimularia insularis (Nyl.) Rambold &amp Hertel
• Rimularia exigua
• Rimularia michoacanensis (B. de Lesd.)
• Rimularia paradoxa Timdal &amp W. A. Weber
• Rimularia mullensis (Stirt.)
• Rimularia limborina Nyl., 1868
• Rimularia gyromuscosa Aptroot
• Rimularia caeca
• Rimularia fuscosora
• Rimularia asteriphila Kantvilas

The common name for Rimularia is "Rimularia Lichen."

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Fungi
• Phylum: Ascomycota
• Class: Lecanoromycetes
• Subclass: Ostropomycetidae
• Order: Agyriales
• Family: Rimulariaceae
• Synonyms (for Rimularia insularis):
  • Lecidea insularis Nyl.
  • Lecidea intumescens (Flotow) Nyl.

Distribution and Habitat

• Rimularia species are found in various locations, including:
  • Northern and western regions
  • Montane rocks, especially schist
  • Greater Sonoran Desert Region
  • Northwestern Europe
  • Southern subpolar region and western Canada
  • Tasmania (endemic species)
  • Aegean (e.g., Thasos)
  • Central Siberian Biosphere Reserve
  • Taiwan
  • New South Wales (eucalypt forest for R. exigua)
  • Saskatchewan
  • Pacific Northwest

Morphological Characteristics

• The thallus (body) of Rimularia can be:
  • Grey-brown and cracked-areolate
  • Grey to dark brown or black and matt
• Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are minute and black, often set in the thallus surface.
• Some species, like Rimularia fuscosora, are corticolous and sorediate (producing soredia for asexual reproduction).

Ecological Role and Interactions

• Rimularia insularis forms a photosynthetic thallus on lichens of the Lecanora rupicola group, acting as a parasite.
• Some Rimularia species grow on other lichens. Epilichen scabrosus and Rimularia furvella have been observed growing on other lichens.
• Rimularia species can be found growing on well-lit siliceous rocks.

Further Information

• Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region
• British Lichen Society (BLS)
• The Lichenologist journal
• Botanical Museum, University of Oslo
• ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System): TSN 189829 for Rimularia insularis
• Mycotaxon journal