Black Sheet Lichen vs Common Seal

Parmotrema reticulatum compared with Phoca vitulina

Key Differences

Black Sheet Lichen is Not Evaluated while Common Seal is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black Sheet Lichen	Common Seal
Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Lecanorales (Lecanorales)	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family	Parmeliaceae	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus	Parmotrema	Phoca (Harbor Seals)
Species	Parmotrema reticulatum	Phoca vitulina

Conservation Status

Black Sheet Lichen

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black Sheet Lichen	Common Seal
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	30 years
Average Length	—	1.7 m
Average Weight	—	80.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Sheet Lichen

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Norway, Portugal, Taiwan, and United States.

Common Seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Black Sheet Lichen

The Black Sheet Lichen (Parmotrema reticulatum) is a species in the genus Parmotrema. Native to Asia and Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

The most widely distributed pinniped, harbor seals inhabit temperate and subarctic coastal waters of both the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Adults reach up to 130 kg and spend roughly equal time at sea hunting fish, squid, and crustaceans and hauling out on beaches or rocks to rest. Their large, expressive eyes are adapted for underwater vision in low light. Harbor seals are a critical food source for orcas, sharks, and polar bears.