vs Smooth Pox Lichen

Pyrenula nitida compared with Pyrenula laevigata

Key Differences

• is Endangered while Smooth Pox Lichen is Extinct.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Smooth Pox Lichen
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class same	Eurotiomycetes (Eurotiomycetes)	Eurotiomycetes (Eurotiomycetes)
Order same	Pyrenulales (Pyrenulales)	Pyrenulales (Pyrenulales)
Family same	Pyrenulaceae	Pyrenulaceae
Genus same	Pyrenula	Pyrenula
Species	Pyrenula nitida	Pyrenula laevigata

Evolutionary Relationship

and Smooth Pox Lichen share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Pyrenula.

Conservation Status

EN — Endangered

Smooth Pox Lichen

EX — Extinct

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Smooth Pox Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

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 Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Smooth Pox Lichen

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and United States.

Pyrenula nitida is a corticolous crustose lichen producing a smooth, glossy olive-green to brown thallus with embedded, flask-shaped perithecia on smooth bark of ancient broadleaf trees in humid Atlantic woodland. It is considered a flagship indicator species for long-continuity, old-growth woodland in western Europe. Endangered, this lichen is severely threatened by the loss of veteran trees and ancient woodland habitats.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States