European Ground Squirrel vs Mealy Shadow Lichen

Spermophilus citellus compared with Phaeophyscia orbicularis

Key Differences

• European Ground Squirrel is Endangered while Mealy Shadow Lichen is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European Ground Squirrel	Mealy Shadow 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)	Physciaceae
Genus	Spermophilus	Phaeophyscia
Species	Spermophilus citellus	Phaeophyscia orbicularis

Conservation Status

European Ground Squirrel

EN — Endangered

Mealy Shadow Lichen

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European Ground Squirrel	Mealy Shadow Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European Ground Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ukraine. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Mealy Shadow Lichen

Habitat

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

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia).