vs

Rhizocarpon oederi compared with Rhizocarpon richardii

Key Differences

• is Extinct while is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Fungi (Pilze)	Fungi (Pilze)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Schlauchpilze)	Ascomycota (Schlauchpilze)
Class same	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order same	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)
Family same	Rhizocarpaceae	Rhizocarpaceae
Genus same	Rhizocarpon	Rhizocarpon
Species	Rhizocarpon oederi	Rhizocarpon richardii

Evolutionary Relationship

and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Rhizocarpon.

Conservation Status

EX — Extinct

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Habitat

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

Range

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

Rhizocarpon oederi is a crustose lichen historically recorded on siliceous rocks across parts of Europe and North America. It is now classified as Extinct (EX) on the IUCN Red List, representing one of the few lichen species confirmed to have been lost. Its disappearance is attributed to habitat destruction, air pollution, and the very specific microhabitat requirements that made it vulnerable.

Rhizocarpon richardii is a crustose lichen that forms tightly adhered patches on siliceous rocks, typically displaying a pale greenish-grey to yellowish thallus divided by a dark prothallus. It inhabits exposed rocky outcrops, cliff faces, and boulders in montane and alpine zones across Europe and beyond. This saxicolous species is highly sensitive to atmospheric pollution.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden