Cladoniaceae | |
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Cladonia subulata is the type species of the type genus of the family Cladoniaceae | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Order: | Lecanorales |
Family: | Cladoniaceae Zenker (1827)[1] |
Type genus | |
Cladonia P.Browne (1756)
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Synonyms[2] | |
The Cladoniaceae are a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Lecanorales.[2] With about 560 species distributed amongst 18 genera, it is one of the largest families of lichen-forming fungi. Molecular phylogenetics studies have provided new insights into its complex taxonomic history, refining is classification. While Cladoniaceae species are found globally, from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests, they favour humid environments and are intolerant of arid conditions. The reindeer moss and cup lichens (Cladonia) belong to this family. The latter genus, which comprises about 500 species, forms a major part of the diet of large mammals in taiga and tundra ecosystems.
A distinctive feature of many Cladoniaceae species is their dimorphic thallus: a scaly or crust-like primary form and a fruticose secondary form known as a podetium or pseudopodetium. They typically grow on soil, decaying wood, or tree trunks, with a few species found on rocks. Cladoniaceae members form symbiotic associations with green algae, usually from the genus Asterochloris. The family is known for its diverse secondary metabolites, which are important for species identification.
Some Cladoniaceae species have economic value, particularly in decorative uses such as floral arrangements. Six species are included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, facing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human activities. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these vulnerable species.
Goebel 1827
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