Peltigerales on Macrolichens of Alaska

Peltigera behringiana

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera behringiana #

Taxon #

Peltigera behringiana

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

A data deficient species. Peltigera behringiana is likely similar to P. canina as had previously been a variety of that species; Peltigera canina var. spuria Ach. (CLH).

Substrate #

Terricolous (Spribille et al. 2023), among mosses (CLH)

Notes #

A “pelt lichen” known only from the type specimen from St. Paul Island. It may someday be found on the northwestern mainland.

Peltigera canina

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera canina #

Taxon #

Peltigera canina

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera canina is among the species with a tomentose upper surface. The lobes of P. canina are not so narrow or upturned as in P. rufescens. The thallus can be grayish or brownish, but the conspicuous white, marginal tomentum helps to recognize it. The rhizines are tufted at least at the tips. Simple or rope-like rhizines belong to other species (Brodo et al. 2001).

Peltigera castanea

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera castanea #

Taxon #

Peltigera castanea

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Part of the Peltigera didactyla complex, resembling that species and P. extenuata. P. castanea has a dark chestnut colored upper surface from which it gets its epithet, castanea. P. didactyla and extenuata are more greenish gray, not so drastically concavely lobed. P. castanea has darker veins on the ventral surface and is less tomentose dorsally relative to P. didactyla (Goffinet et al. 2003).

Peltigera cinnamomea

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera cinnamomea #

Taxon #

Peltigera cinnamomea

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera cinnamomea is a grayish, olive, or greenish pelt lichen recognized by the reddish veins on the lower surface of the lobes paired with a tomentose upper surface. P. praetextata is morphologically similar but has abundant lobules and brown veins (Brodo et al. 2001). The red veins may be less conspicuous in desiccated material.

Peltigera collina

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera collina #

Taxon #

Peltigera collina

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

A Peltigera that grows commonly on trees and mossy rocks. One of the few Peltigera species which develop apothecia which are almost black, the other being P. neckeri, which lacks the marginal soredia of P. collina.

Substrate #

Corticolous, muscicolous, bryocolous, on mosses over rocks.

Notes #

A common species to the northern slope of the Alaska Range.

Peltigera didactyla

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera didactyla #

Taxon #

Peltigera didactyla

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Similar morphologically and related to P. extenuata and P. castanea, having similar laminal soralia. P. didactyla does not have rhizines which are so abundant and long as in P. extenuata. P. didactyla is typically not a rich brown color like P. castanea, but rather a greenish to bluish green. P. didactyla is also not so dramatically convex as P. castanea.

Peltigera elisabethae

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera elisabethae #

Taxon #

Peltigera elisabethae

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera elisabethae is most similar to P. pacifica in that the upper surface has highly ruffled lobe margins, stress cracks, and lacks a tomentum giving a shiny appearance. It is similar also to P. horizontalis with flattened brown apothecia, and dark, tufted rhizines growing in concentric rings on the lower surfaces of the lobes. P. elisabethae differs from P. pacifica and P. horizontalis by having almost no recognizable veins on the lower surface. P. praetextata is similarly ruffled at the lobe margins but is readily separated by being tomentose and veined (CLH, Brodo et al. 2001).

Peltigera evansiana

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera evansiana #

Taxon #

Peltigera evansiana

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera evansiana is a foliose lichen which is olive, brown, to blackened on the upper surface. With veins and rhizines on a pale lower surface which darkens toward the center. P. evansiana is an isidiate species which is similar to P. lepidophora with some differences in the isidia which can be recognized in the field. In P. evansiana the isidia are more granular to cylindrical while P. lepidophora has isdia which are conspicuously flattened (Brodo et al. 2001).

Peltigera extenuata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera extenuata #

Taxon #

Peltigera extenuata

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera extenuata is a foliose cyanolichen that is grayish when desiccated, rich green, sometimes blueish when hydrated. Similar conspicuous laminal soralia as P. didactyla and P. castanea. Peltigera extenuata appears almost identical to P. didactyla and also very similar to P. castanea. P. extenuata has much more luxuriant white rhizines on the underside. P. castanea has thalli which are brownish and the smaller, pouch-shaped thalli in that species are more drastically concave.

Peltigera kristinssonii

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera kristinssonii #

Taxon #

Peltigera kristinssonii

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera kristinssonii is a slatey, gray-green to brownish on the upper portions of the thalli with characteristic conspicuous, dark, flat veins in a tomentum and highly contrasting the white depressions between the veins. The central portions of the upper surface of P. kristinssonii are smoother towards the center and scabrose at the lobe tips (Brodo et al. 2001, ITALIC).

Peltigera lepidophora

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera lepidophora #

Taxon #

Peltigera lepidophora

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera lepidophora can be easily identified in the field as it is the only species of Peltigera in Alaska with flattened, disc-like (sometimes peltate [CLH]) isidia on the upper surface of the thalli. The brown apothecia in the species are rare.

Substrate #

terricolous

Chemical Tests #

All RXNs negative (CLH)

Peltigera lyngei

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera lyngei #

Taxon #

Peltigera lyngei

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

This species looks similar to the ubiquitous species Peltigera malacea as both species have veinless lower surfaces. P. lyngei differs from P. malacea by having a scabrose upper surface which lacks a tomentum (Holtan-Hartwig 1988, McMullin & Miadlikowska 2022). This species grows on tundras among heaths (Spribille et al 2023).

Substrate #

Terricolous (Spribille et al. 2023)

Peltigera malacea

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera malacea #

Taxon #

Peltigera malacea

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Known as the “Veinless Pelt Lichen” due to the lack of conspicuous veins and rhizines on the lower surface of the thalli. The upper surface is typically a bluish green when in shaded habitats or when it is not especially desiccated. It produces reddish brown apothecia at times in such abundance that it may be mistaken for P. polydactylon but still separable form that species by the absence of veins and the color pf the upper surface, which is not so slatey.

Peltigera membranacea

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera membranacea #

Taxon #

Peltigera membranacea

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera membranacea produces thin, flexible thalli. On the dorsal side it can be various shades of green, olive, gray, brown, or blackish. On the underside it is white with white to light brown veins. Light brown to orangish apothecia are commonly found but isidia and soredia are not found on this species (CLH). The rhizines can be simple or with squarrose tips; P. canina has rhizines which are much more conspicuously squarrose (Brodo et al. 2001).

Peltigera monticola

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera monticola #

Taxon #

Peltigera monticola

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Similar small lobes to P. rufescens but more slate gray than chocolate brown. Similar pale veins to P. ponojensis. Rhizines more tufted in P. monticola and simple in P. ponojensis.

Substrate #

terricolous (Spribille et al. 2023)

Chemical Tests #

cortex and medulla: K-, C-, KC-, Pd-, UV- (ITALIC)

Notes #

A data deficient species.

Peltigera neckeri

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera neckeri #

Taxon #

Peltigera neckeri

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

This species is known as the “Black Saddle Pelt Lichen” and is one of only a few Peltigera species with very dark apothecia, which are convex in such a way to appear as small black saddles. P. collina can similarly have very dark apothecia but will also have soredia along the lobe margins which are not seen in P. neckeri.

Peltigera praetextata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera praetextata #

Taxon #

Peltigera praetextata

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera praetextata is a foliose lichen with dark gray or green thalli. This species has lobes with a conspicuous white tomentum at the edges, but which are smooth in central portions of the thalli. Paired with the tomentum, P. praetextata is recognized in the field by the numerous marginal lobules. The lower surface has veins which are nearly white near the lobe edges but browning closer to the center. The rhizines are long and rope-like and can be, similar to the veins, lightly colored near the lobe edges and darkening towards the thallus center (Brodo et al. 2001, CLH).

Peltigera retifoveata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera retifoveata #

Taxon #

Peltigera retifoveata

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Peltigera retifoveata is a tan, grayish, to browned pelt lichen. It is most likely to be mistaken for P. scabrosa or P. praetextata. P. retifoveata can be separated from P. sabrosa by a tomentose upper surface rather than being scabrose like the latter (Brodo et al. 2001). The veins on the lower surface of P. retifoveata are more conspicuous than in P. scabrosa. Due to the tomentum, P. retifoveata may also appear similar to P. praetextata but that species is typically only tomentose along the margins and has more abundant lobules. It can produce reddish-brown, saddle-shaped apothecia (Brodo et al. 2001, CLH).

Peltigera rufescens

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera rufescens #

Taxon #

Peltigera rufescens

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Typically, much narrower lobes than other species of Peltigera in Alaska. Brownish, grayish, with pruina and tomentum. Lobes upturned and unludating. Dark veins below with tufted rhizines at the base of the lobes (CLH, Brodo et al. 2001).

Substrate #

Terricolous, bryocolous

Chemical Tests #

All negative (Brodo et al. 2001)

Peltigera scabrosa

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera scabrosa #

Taxon #

Peltigera scabrosa

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

On the upper surface, Peltigera scabrosa is a light to bluish-green to light brown pelt lichen with a scabrose (crusty), not tomentose (hairy), upper surface. P. scabrosa is the only scabrose species without well-defined veins on the ventral side of the lobes, although dark, tufted rhizines are found. The rhizines are much more noticeable than the faint venation. Orangish-brown apothecia are found uncommonly (Brodo et al. 2001).

Peltigera tartarea

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera tartarea #

Taxon #

Peltigera tartarea

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Lacking rhizines on the underside. Attached by a black holdfast or rhizopt. When fertile the apothecia are described as being planar. The cortex in P. tartarea differs from P. venosa in being more uneven rather than smooth, and with a pruina (Vitikainen 2006).

Substrate #

Terricolous

Notes #

A species described from Alaska; the holotype from Lake Schrader. Data deficient, more collections needed. Herbaria and new collections which may appear like Peltigera venosa s. lat. should be screened as they may represent this taxon.

Peltigera venosa

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Peltigera venosa #

Taxon #

Peltigera venosa

Organization #

Pelt Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

This species is not likely to be confused for another as it is quite different morphologically from the other members of the genus. The lobes of this species remain small relative to the other Peltigera species. The concave to planar, chocolate to reddish brown apothecia are produced in abundance from the margins of typically bright green thalli, light green when desiccated, which have very conspicuous and beautifully contrasting veins on the undersides.

Solorina crocea

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Solorina crocea #

Taxon #

Solorina crocea

Organization #

Socket Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

The only “socket lichen” with a bright orange lower surface of the lobes. These are often visible from above where lobes become upturned or at least at the margins when more prostrate. Large, brown, often convex apothecia give this lichen the other name “chocolate chip” lichen. When not convex, the apothecia are planar or noticeably less immersed than in the other species of Solorina.

Solorina spongiosa

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Solorina spongiosa #

Taxon #

Solorina spongiosa

Organization #

Socket Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

The Solorina species with the most reduced thalli, being restricted to a margin around the socket-like or urceolate apothecia. Appearing like small, immersed cups or pits in the substrate. The apothecia are usually a chocolate brown but can blacken in some instances.

Substrate #

Terricolous, muscicolous, bryocolous

Notes #

Probably an overlooked species given its small size.

Sticta arctica

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sticta arctica #

Taxon #

Stica arctica

Organization #

Moon Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

The upper surface is rather unspectacular. Brown and green closer to the base of the thallus. From above appearing similar to brown or green Nephroma or Peltigera species. The underside with the bright white holes, cyphellae, contrasting an otherwise dark brown tomentum. These true cyphellae being characteristic for the Stica genus.

Sticta fasciculata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sticta fasciculata #

Taxon #

Sticta fasciculata

Organization #

Moon Lichens, Peltigerales, Sticta gretae Clade (Di Meglio & Goward 2023)

Identification #

Sticta fasciculata is similar morphologically to S. globulifuliginosa, S. gretae, S. limbata, S. rhizinata, S. sylvatica. and S. torii. The isidia of S. fasciculata are coarse. The lower surface of S. fasciculata has a very long, conspicuous tomentum. The lobes are relatively elongated, matte, and roughened (Di Meglio & Goward 2023).

Sticta limbata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sticta limbata #

Taxon #

Sticta limbata

Organization #

Moon Lichens, Peltigerales

Identification #

Sticta limbata looks somewhat similar to N. parile, or when on mossy rocks like Peltigera collina or a member of the P. didactyla group, mainly due to similar drab gray to brown colors and soredia. Sticta limbata lacks veins but bears the conspicuous cyphellae on the undersides of the lobes which are characteristic of the genus (Brodo et al. 2001).