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asterothyrium lichen
Scientific Name: Asterothyrium rotuliforme
Family: Thelotremataceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Asterothyrium
Asterothyrium is a genus of lichens. Commonly referred to as "asterothyrium lichen," members of this genus are foliicolous, meaning they grow on leaves.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Plantae (though lichens are now classified within the Fungi kingdom in modern taxonomy)
- Genus: Asterothyrium Müll. Arg.
- Family:
- Graphidaceae (in some classifications)
- Gomphillaceae (currently accepted family)
- Thelotremataceae (in some classifications)
- Asterothyriaceae (families Asterothyriaceae and Thelotremataceae taxonomy)
- Synonyms:
- Asterothyrium rotuliforme (Müll. Arg.) Serus.
Distribution and Habitat
Asterothyrium species are found worldwide, with a notable presence in tropical regions. Specific locations mentioned include:
- Australia
- United States
- Taiwan
- New Caledonia
- Vietnam
- Costa Rica
- Guyana
- India
- Mexico (Veracruz, Los Tuxtlas Tropical Station)
- French Guiana
- Cameroon
- Papua New Guinea
They typically inhabit lowland and montane rainforests, growing on the leaves of plants.
Morphological Characteristics
Asterothyrium species are lichenous, meaning they are a composite organism formed from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria. They are foliicolous, growing on the leaves of plants in tropical rainforests.
Species
Some of the recognized species within the genus Asterothyrium include:
- Asterothyrium leucophthalmum (Müll. Arg.) R. Sant.
- Asterothyrium monosporum Müll. Arg.
- Asterothyrium rotuliforme
- Asterothyrium decipiens (Rehm) R. Sant.
- Asterothyrium argenteum Müll. Arg.
- Asterothyrium microsporum R. Sant.
- Asterothyrium pittieri
- Asterothyrium rondoniense
- Asterothyrium anomalum
- Asterothyrium atromarginatum
- Asterothyrium chroodisciformis
Interactions with Other Organisms
Asterothyrium forms a symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacteria to form the lichen. It also interacts with other fungi, including lichenicolous fungi.
Further Information
For more information, you can consult the following resources:
- Index Fungorum
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Australian New Crops Web Site
- USDA Plants Database
- Arizona State University Lichen Herbarium
- Field Museum of Natural History (Botany)