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athelia lichen
Scientific Name: Athelia
Family: Atheliaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Athelia: A Genus of Corticioid Fungi
Athelia is a genus of corticioid fungi belonging to the family Atheliaceae. These fungi exhibit diverse ecological roles, including some species that are facultative parasites of plants, crops, and lichens.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Athelia species form white to cream, ring-like growths.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Athelia
- Family: Atheliaceae
- Division: Basidiomycota
- Kingdom: Fungi (Informal Taxonomy: Fungi/Lichens - Lichens)
- Rank: Genus
- Synonyms: Mentions of former names of Athelia, such as Corticium centrifugum for what is now known as Athelia arachnoidea.
Notable Species
- Athelia arachnoidea: A common and widespread lichenicolous fungus and aggressive pathogen of lichens and free-living, chlorococcoid algae.
- Athelia epiphylla: Commonly known as Athelia Lichen.
- Athelia decipiens
- Athelia fibulata
- Athelia neuhoffii
- Athelia poeltii
- Athelia pyriformis
- Athelia mutabilis (Supplied Scientific Name).
Distribution and Habitat
- Athelia species are found in various locations, including the UK (with distribution data accessible through the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording in Northern Ireland), Belarus, and Lithuania.
- Athelia arachnoidea is common and evenly distributed in Belarus.
Ecological Role
- Some Athelia species are parasites of epiphytic lichens, green coccoid algae, and mosses.
- Athelia arachnoidea can be an aggressive pathogen, killing entire corticolous vegetation over larger areas.
- It can cause rot of carrots in cold storage.
Morphological Characteristics
- Athelia arachnoidea forms white to cream, ring-like growths.
- The fruiting body is thin and arachnoid (resembling a spider web).
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Athelia species can parasitize lichens.
- Athelia arachnoidea can be associated with the lichen Physcia tenella.
- It can be involved in a sequence of interactions, such as being preceded by the lichen parasite Lichenoconium erodens.
Further Information
- Encyclopedia of Life.
- Wikipedia.
- British Lichen Society - BLS Lichen Database.
- Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (Northern Ireland).
- Australian New Crops Web Site.