Alashan Ground Squirrel vs Boreal Button Lichen

Spermophilus alashanicus compared with Buellia disciformis

Key Differences

• Alashan Ground Squirrel is Least Concern while Boreal Button Lichen is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Alashan Ground Squirrel	Boreal Button Lichen
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Caliciales (Caliciales)
Family	Sciuridae (Squirrels)	Caliciaceae
Genus	Spermophilus	Buellia
Species	Spermophilus alashanicus	Buellia disciformis

Conservation Status

Alashan Ground Squirrel

LC — Least Concern

Boreal Button Lichen

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Alashan Ground Squirrel	Boreal Button Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Alashan Ground Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Boreal Button Lichen

Habitat

Inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and United States. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Alashan Ground Squirrel

The Alashan Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus alashanicus) is a species in the genus Spermophilus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Boreal Button Lichen

The Boreal Button Lichen (Buellia disciformis) is a species in the genus Buellia. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.