Japanese Weasel vs Smooth Map Lichen

Mustela itatsi compared with Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Key Differences

• Japanese Weasel is Near Threatened while Smooth Map Lichen is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Japanese Weasel	Smooth Map Lichen
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Rhizocarpaceae
Genus	Mustela	Rhizocarpon
Species	Mustela itatsi	Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Conservation Status

Japanese Weasel

NT — Near Threatened

Smooth Map Lichen

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Japanese Weasel	Smooth Map Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Japanese Weasel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Japan. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Smooth Map Lichen

Habitat

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

Range

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