Schwertwal vs Fringed kidney lichen

Orcinus orca compared with Nephroma helveticum

Key Differences

Schwertwal is Data Deficient while Fringed kidney lichen is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Schwertwal	Fringed kidney lichen
Kingdom	Animalia (Tier)	Fungi (Pilze)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Ascomycota (Schlauchpilze)
Class	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Peltigerales (Peltigerales)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Nephromataceae
Genus	Orcinus (Orcas)	Nephroma
Species	Orcinus orca	Nephroma helveticum

Conservation Status

Schwertwal

DD — Data Deficient

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Unknown ?

Fringed kidney lichen

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Schwertwal	Fringed kidney lichen
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	50 years	—
Average Length	8.0 m	—
Average Weight	5.4 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Schwertwal

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

Fringed kidney lichen

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and montane grasslands and shrublands, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Indomalayan and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (Norway, Portugal, Sweden), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Schwertwal

The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas reach up to 9 meters and 6 tonnes and are found in every ocean from Arctic to Antarctic. Apex predators living in matrilineal pods with distinct dialects, hunting strategies, and cultural traditions that differ between populations. Some populations specialize in fish, others in marine mammals. No natural predators; orcas sit at the top of every marine food chain they inhabit.