Xylopsora canopeorum

Xylopsora canopeorum
Scale bar: 1 mm
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Umbilicariales
Family: Umbilicariaceae
Genus: Xylopsora
Species:
X. canopeorum
Binomial name
Xylopsora canopeorum
Timdal, Reese Næsborg & Bendiksby (2018)
Map
Holotype: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California, USA[2]

Xylopsora canopeorum is a squamulose (scaly), corticolous (bark-dwelling) lichen species in the family Umbilicariaceae.[3] Discovered in the canopies of Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwoods) in California, United States, it was formally described as new to science in 2018. It is endemic to the central coastal region of California, living within the unique ecosystems of Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, areas known for their ancient coast redwood forests. The lichen evolves from a crust-like to scale-like form, developing into coral-like crusts as it matures, complemented by distinctive flat, black reproductive discs. This species has varying greyish-green to medium brown coloration and occasionally forms soralia, which release powdery reproductive propagules called soredia. Xylopsora canopeorum is distinguished from closely related species by its smaller, partly coral-like squamules (scales), the occurrence of soralia on its surface, and in some specimens, the presence of both thamnolic and friesiic acids within the thallus.

Xylopsora canopeorum was declared endangered by the IUCN in 2021 due to its habitat specialization, severe fragmentation of its range from historic logging, and increased vulnerability to high-intensity wildfires exacerbated by climate change. Conservation efforts are needed for its survival, with accurate knowledge about its distribution hampered by the challenges of accessing the canopy and the need for specialized observation techniques.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference IUCN: Xylopsora canopeorum was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bendiksby et al. 2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference CoL was invoked but never defined (see the help page).