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Dirinaria frostii

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Dirinaria frostii

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Caliciales
Family: Caliciaceae
Genus: Dirinaria
Species:
D. frostii
Binomial name
Dirinaria frostii
(Tuck.) Hale & Culb.

Dirinaria frostii is a species of lichen[2] in the family Caliciaceae.[3] It is commonly found in the southeastern United States and Sonora, Mexico.[3] The species was first described by Tuckerman and later classified by Hale & Culberson.[1]

Description

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Dirinaria frostii has a foliose thallus, which is closely appressed to agglutinated and ranges from 1 to 3 cm in diameter. The lobes are dichotomously pinnately or subpinnately lobate, radiating, and often confluent. The upper surface can be gray, bluish gray, or yellowish gray, sometimes with white patchy pruinosity. Soredia are initially marginal, becoming laminal, and pseudocyphellae are mainly marginal. The medulla is typically white, occasionally with orange spots at lobe tips. The lower surface is black in the center, becoming paler towards the lobe tips. Apothecia are rarely present, and if so, they have brown, 1-septate ascospores. Spot tests reveal that the upper cortex is K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow, while the medulla is K-, C-, KC-, P-. Secondary metabolites include atranorin in the upper cortex and divaricatic acid in the medulla, along with a few terpenes in low concentration.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

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Dirinaria frostii primarily inhabits rocks, occasionally found on bark, and thrives in shaded areas such as thorn and deciduous forests. Its distribution spans the north- and southeastern United States, including areas from the upper Great Lakes region and southern New England south to the southern Atlantic and Gulf coastal states.[1] In Mexico, it is particularly abundant in Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, and Sonora.[3]

Conservation

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In the United States, Dirinaria frostii holds various statuses across different states. It is designated as NNR (National Natural Heritage Rank) at the national level. In Kentucky, it is classified as S2. Wisconsin assigns it the status of SH (State Historical Rank). In Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, it is recognized as SNR (State Natural Heritage Rank). Additionally, the species is assessed as G4 (rounded)[a] as of 2000.[1]

Bibliography

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  • Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2004. Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region. Vol 2.

Further reading

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  • Esslinger, T. L. 2018. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada, Version 22. Opuscula Philolichenum 17:6-268. [1]
  • Esslinger, T.L. and R.S. Egan. 1995. A sixth checklist of the lichen-forming, lichenicolous, and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. The Bryologist 98(4):467-549. As supplied by USDA, NRCS from The PLANTS database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA. Version: November 19, 1997.
  • Flenniken, D.G. The Macrolichens in West Virginia. Carlisle Printing, Ohio.

Notes and references

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Notes

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  1. ^ A G4 conservation status implies that it is generally secure but may face localized threats or declines in certain areas.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Dirinaria frostii Frosty Medallion Lichen". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  2. ^ Citizen science observations for Dirinaria frostii at iNaturalist
  3. ^ a b c d "Consortium of Lichen Herbaria - Dirinaria frostii". lichenportal.org. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  4. ^ Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2004. Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region. Vol 2.
  5. ^ "Definitions of NatureServe Conservation Status Ranks".