Stereocaulon saxatile is a snow lichen in the family Stereocaulaceae, within the order Lecanorales and the class Lecanoromycetes of the phylum Ascomycota. As a lichen, it is a partnership between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, and it belongs to the large group of lichens that grow on rock and soil in cold, exposed places. Its family placement links it to other stereocaulon lichens, which share the same overall structure and ecological niche, and it is one of the species that scientists and field botanists use as a reference point when they study this group of lichens.
Distribution and Habitat
Stereocaulon saxatile is found in regions where snow lies for part of the year, and its presence is strongest in the warmer months. Sightings concentrate from spring into autumn, rising sharply from April and peaking in July before falling again through the autumn. Presence is what these sightings show, not how many lichens grow in an area, so the peak reflects when people most often find it rather than a full picture of its range.
Ecology and Relationships
Stereocaulon saxatile hosts a group of lichen-dwelling fungi that grow on its body. Eight are known to use it as a host, including Arthonia stereocaulina, Catillaria stereocaulorum and Scutula stereocaulorum. The other five are Anzina carneonivea, Endococcus nanellus, Odontotrema stereocaulicola, Phaeosporobolus alpinus and Protothelenella sphinctrinoidella, so the lichen supports a varied set of fungal partners.
Photos
Photographs from via iNaturalist, licensed under CC0 1.0., by Moe Meikle via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Eric Lamb via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Mary E. Macaulay via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Charlie Pavlisich via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Noland Martin via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Tanner Barnharst via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., and by Kalvin Chan via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., credited on each photo.
Ecology and classification
Classification
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Lecanoromycetes
- Order
- Lecanorales
- Family
- Stereocaulaceae
- Genus
- Stereocaulon
- Species
- Stereocaulon saxatile
Sources
- GBIF Species names and classification
- iNaturalist Photos
- Wikidata Common names and conservation status
- Wikipedia Summary extract
