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dotted lichen
Scientific Name: Bacidia polychroa
Family: Bacidiaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Dotted Lichen: A Botanical Overview
The term "Dotted Lichen" refers to various lichen species, often within the Bacidia genus. This overview compiles information from diverse sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of these fascinating organisms.
Common and Scientific Names
- Common Name: Dotted Lichen
- Scientific Name: Often refers to species within the genus Bacidia, such as Bacidia arceutina, Bacidia polychroa, Bacidia rubella, Bacidia jacobi, Bacidia trachona, Bacidia granosa, Bacidia aggregatula, Bacidia schweinitzii, Bacidia bagliettoana, Bacidia brouardii, Bacidia circumspecta.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Ascomycota (for Bacidia schweinitzii)
- Class: Lecanoromycetes (for Bacidia schweinitzii)
- Order: Not specified for most species, but Lecanoromycetes for Bacidia schweinitzii
- Family: Bacidiaceae (for dotted lichen with symbol BAAR6)
- Synonyms: Surprise Lichen (for Bacidia schweinitzii)
- Note: The genus Bacidia belongs to the family Bacidiaceae, which includes Album-dotted lichen.
Distribution and Habitat
- Many Bacidia species are widespread. Dotted ramalina is widespread on trees due to its tolerance to acid.
- The text mentions occurrences in the UK, including a study of lichens in the Dinas Rock/Sychryd area.
- Observed on a maple branch along the Whistle Punk Trail near the old Wind River Tree Farm, Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Also found on alpine granite and peat at Mount Bimberi in the Australian Capital Territory.
- Ramalina farinacea (Dotted Ramalina) is found.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Dotted Lichens are often crustose or fruticose. Dotted ramalina is a fruticose lichen.
Ecological Role
- Lichens, including dotted lichens, serve as a food source for some organisms, such as moth larvae. Larvae with large black dots feed on lichens such as beard lichen.
- Lichens provide camouflage for other organisms. Moths can rest unseen with their superb cryptic camouflage.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Moth larvae feed on lichens like beard lichen.
- Lichens are often found in complex communities, coexisting with other lichens, liverworts, and mosses.
Resources and Further Information
- Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist
- Encyclopedia of Life
- WikiSpecies
- More info is available via MO (presumably Missouri Botanical Garden), ToL (Tree of Life Web Project), and BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
- Garden Guides