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carbonea lichen

Scientific Name: Carbonea vitellinaria

Family: Lecanoraceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Carbonea: A Genus of Lichen-Dwelling Fungi

Carbonea is a genus of fungi belonging to the Lecanoraceae family. These lichens are widespread and include approximately 20 known species. Notably, many Carbonea species exhibit a lichenicolous lifestyle, meaning they grow on other lichens.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carbonea (Hertel) Hertel
  • Common Name: Carbonea lichen
  • Family: Lecanoraceae
  • Phylum: Lichens
  • Class: Lecanoromycetes
  • Order: Lecanorales
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names:
    • Carbonea vitellinaria (Nyl.) Hertel = Lecidea vitellinaria Nyl. = Nesolechia vitellinaria (Nyl.) Rehm
    • Carbonea intrusa (Th.Fr.) Rambold &amp Triebel (now recognized as Scoliciosporum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Carbonea species are found globally.
  • Specific locations mentioned include:
    • Greater Sonoran Desert
    • Heard Island (Australian Oceanic Island Territories)
    • Aegean, Greece
    • Turkey
    • Crimea
    • Japan
    • Poland
    • Maine, North America (Mount Katahdin)
    • Ukraine

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Most Carbonea species grow on other lichens (lichenicolous).
  • Some species, like Carbonea capsulata, are epilithic (growing on rock).

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Many Carbonea species parasitize other lichens.
  • Carbonea vitellinaria is known to parasitize Candelariella vitellina and Lecanora species.
  • Carbonea vorticosa has been observed as a parasymbiont.

Quirky Facts

  • Carbonea vitellinaria can darken the host lichen it is parasitizing.

Further Information

  • USDA, NRCS Distribution Map for Carbonea: USDA Plants Database
  • Greater Sonoran Desert Lichen Flora: Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2001.
  • Lichen Gallery of Leif &amp Anita Stridvall - Carbonea vitellinaria
  • Lichens of Heard Island published by ABRS.