Lichinodium canadense is a species of minute fruticose (bushy) cyanolichen in the family Lichinodiaceae. It is found in British Columbia, Canada, where it grows on conifer bark.

Lichinodium canadense
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Leotiomycetes
Order: Lichinodiales
Family: Lichinodiaceae
Genus: Lichinodium
Species:
L. canadense
Binomial name
Lichinodium canadense
Henssen (1968)

Taxonomy edit

Lichinodium canadense was formally described as a new species in 1968 by Norwegian lichenologist Aino Henssen. The type specimen was collected in the Fraser River basin along Highway 1; here, in a mixed forest along a riverbank, the lichen was found growing on the bark of western redcedar (Thuja plicata), along with a then-undescribed species of Parmeliella. The specific epithet canadense refers to the country in which it was first found.[1] The species has also been recorded from the Incomappleux River valley in southeastern British Columbia.[2]

Description edit

Lichinodium canadense has a brownish to blackish coloured, gelatinous thallus that occurs as single rosettes with a diameter of 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 in). The individual lobes comprising the thallus are 0.4–0.8 mm long and 0.04–0.06 mm thick; they are translucent when they are moist. The phycobiont partner is a species of Scytonema, a filamentous cyanobacteria. No apothecia have been recorded, so the lichen is only known to exist in the sterile state.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Henssen, Aino (1968). "A new Lichinodium species from British Columbia". The Bryologist. 71 (3): 271–274. doi:10.2307/3240695.
  2. ^ Spribille, Toby (18 November 2002). Oceanic Macrolichens in the Incomappleux River Valley, southeastern British Columbia. Report to Valhalla Wilderness Society (PDF) (Report).