vs Shadow Dot Lichen

Micarea lignaria compared with Micarea peliocarpa

Key Differences

• is Endangered while Shadow Dot Lichen is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Shadow Dot Lichen
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class same	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order same	Lecanorales (Lecanorales)	Lecanorales (Lecanorales)
Family same	Byssolomataceae	Byssolomataceae
Genus same	Micarea	Micarea
Species	Micarea lignaria	Micarea peliocarpa

Evolutionary Relationship

and Shadow Dot Lichen share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Micarea.

Conservation Status

EN — Endangered

Shadow Dot Lichen

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Shadow Dot 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.

Shadow Dot Lichen

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and United States. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Micarea lignaria is a small crustose lichen with granular thallus and tiny grey-green apothecia, adapted to wood and bark substrates. It grows on bare acidic bark, wood, and sometimes peat in temperate and boreal forest environments. This photosynthetic lichen obtains energy through its algal partner and contributes to wood surface colonization.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

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