Bunodophoron melanocarpum

(Sw.) Wedin

Northern Fan-coral Lichen

G5Secure Found in 5 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.126870
Element CodeNLT0005570
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryFungus
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomFungi
PhylumAscomycota
ClassAscomycetes
OrderCaliciales
FamilySphaerophoraceae
GenusBunodophoron
Other Common Names
Bunodophore boules-noires (FR)
Concept Reference
Esslinger, T.L. and R.S. Egan. 1995. A sixth checklist of the lichen-forming, lichenicolous, and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. The Bryologist 98(4):467-549. As supplied by USDA, NRCS from The PLANTS database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA. Version: November 19, 1997.
Taxonomic Comments
This species belongs to a poorly understood complex and may represent multiple taxa (The Threatened Macrolichen Project 1996).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-10-24
Change Date2024-10-24
Edition Date2024-10-24
Edition AuthorsHeitz and Lipkin (2011). rev. Johnson, J. (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Bunodophoron melanocarpum is a wide-ranging lichen with a global distribution. With a large range extent, more than 500 occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Bunodophoron melanocarpum is widespread in both the northern and southern hemispheres including Europe, North and South America, East Africa, the Solomon Islands, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand (Goward 1999, The Threatened Macrolichen Project 1996). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens collected between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, Consortium of Lichen Herbaria 2024).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are more than 500 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, Consortium of Lichen Herbaria 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, Bunodophoron melanocarpum is potentially threatened by mining, timber harvesting, and road building in some areas. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

In temperate regions, Bunodophoron melanocarpum grows in coastal heath, grasslands, and dense lowland forests. In tropical regions, it is found in moist mountainous areas such as cloud forests and upland bogs. In all habitats, it is found on moss-covered rocks and dead wood. (The Threatened Macrolichen Project 1996, Consortium of Lichen Herbaria 2024).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceous
Palustrine Habitats
Bog/fen
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonS1Yes
AlaskaS2Yes
CanadaN4
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS4Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undetermined

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (5)
Alaska (5)
AreaForestAcres
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
ClevelandTongass National Forest189,447
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
South RevillaTongass National Forest52,105
References (5)
  1. Consortium of Lichen Herbaria. 2024. https://lichenportal.org/portal/index.php (accessed 2024).
  2. Esslinger, T. L. 2018. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada, Version 22. Opuscula Philolichenum 17:6-268. [http://sweetgum.nybg.org/philolichenum/]
  3. Esslinger, T.L. and R.S. Egan. 1995. A sixth checklist of the lichen-forming, lichenicolous, and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. The Bryologist 98(4):467-549. As supplied by USDA, NRCS from The PLANTS database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA. Version: November 19, 1997.
  4. Fact Sheet: Bunodophoron melanocarpum in Norway. 1996. The Threatened Macrolichen Project. Oslo University. https://nhm2.uio.no/botanisk/bot-mus/lav/factshts/bunomela.htm
  5. Wedin, M. 1995. Bunodophoron melanocarpum, Comb. nov. (Sphaerophoraceae, Caliciales. S. Lat.) Mycotaxon, vol. 55, p. 383-384. Available: http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/cyberliber/index.htm