vs Smooth Map Lichen

Rhizocarpon oederi compared with Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Key Differences

• is Extinct while Smooth Map Lichen is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Smooth Map Lichen
Kingdom same	Fungi (เห็ดรา)	Fungi (เห็ดรา)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class same	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order same	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)
Family same	Rhizocarpaceae	Rhizocarpaceae
Genus same	Rhizocarpon	Rhizocarpon
Species	Rhizocarpon oederi	Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

EX — Extinct

Smooth Map Lichen

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Smooth Map Lichen
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.

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.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden