(Kurok.) Culb.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.126049
Element CodeNLTES10930
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryFungus
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomFungi
PhylumAscomycota
ClassLecanoromycetes
OrderLecanorales
FamilyPhysciaceae
GenusHeterodermia
SynonymsLeucodermia appalachensis(Kurok.) Kalb
Concept ReferenceEsslinger, 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.
Taxonomic CommentsHeterodermia appalachensis (Kurok.) Culb. is synonymous with Anaptychia appalachensis Kurok., Nova Hedwigia 6: 83 1962.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-12-09
Change Date2024-12-09
Edition Date2001-01-18
Edition AuthorsJuanita A. R. Ladyman, Ph.D., rev. N. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsThis taxon is a foliose lichen occurring on tree trunks and sometimes on rocks in forest habitats of the Appalachian Mountains region of the eastern United States. It is also found in Texas and Arizona south through Oaxaca, Mexico. Unconfirmed collections have been made in the Galapagos. There are an estimated 67 occurrences of this species, which are potentially threatened by habitat loss and degradation, air pollution, and climate change; though specific threats are poorly understood. Trends are not well known either, though it has been collected with increasing rarity in the Appalachian Mountains region, despite being a conspicuous species. Up to date surveys are needed to document abundance, distribution, trends, and threats.
Range Extent CommentsThis taxon occurs in eastern North America in the southern Appalachian Mountains region (Lendemer 2009). It also occurs in the western United States in Texas and southern Arizona through the Sierra Madre region of Sonora south to Oaxaca (Moberg and Nash 1999, Nash et al. 2002, Consortium of Lichen Herbaria 2024). This species also potentially occurs in the Galapagos, but the identification of specimens collected there need to be confirmed (see Bungartz 8501 and Nugra 86 (CDS)) (Consortium of Lichen Herbaria 2024). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1993 and 2024 (Consortium of Lichen Herbaria 2024, GBIF 2024, NatureServe 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be 67 occurrences rangewide (Consortium of Lichen Herbaria 2024, GBIF 2024, NatureServe 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsSpecific threats to this taxon are unknown. Potential threats to this lichen are air pollution and any activity that results in the removal of host trees, which could have subsequent impacts to the lichen community due to changes in light and humidity levels. Climate change may cause changes in temperature and precipitation that make the habitat in currently occupied locations unsuitable for this species in the future. In Mexico, members of this genus are commonly found in the cloud forests of the south and central regions of the country (Guzmán-Guillermo et al. 2019). This habitat type is severely threatened by habitat loss and now contains less than 50% of its original coverage (González-Espinosa 2012).