Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.124467
Element CodeNLCAL5E010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryFungus
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomFungi
PhylumAscomycota
ClassAscomycetes
OrderCaliciales
FamilyCaliciaceae
GenusTholurna
Other Common NamesArboreal Bottle-collection Lichen (EN) Tholurne des conifères (FR)
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 CommentsTehler (1996) places Tholurna in the family Caliciaceae, not in Sphaerophoraceae as in Hale and Culberson (1970).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodPre-2010 methodology converted to 2011 data model
Review Date2013-06-20
Change Date2013-06-20
Edition Date2002-11-17
Edition AuthorsEric B. Peterson
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsAlthough this alpine and subalpine species occurs across 2 continents (Eurasia and North America) and seems relatively secure through much of its distribution, it is known only from small, somewhat scattered populations across its range. The Cascades form the southern limits of the species' range in North America.
Range Extent CommentsGlobal distribution "A rare species mainly occurring in alpine and subalpine areas of Norway and Sweden [...] Also known from Central Europe, Northwestern Russia and North America (Newfoundland, British Columbia, Northwest Territories" (Tibell 1999). Tibell (1999) neglected to mention occurrences in the Cascades of Oregon, Washington, and Northern California (Otte 1983, Jovans personal communication).
Occurrences CommentsNumber of known occurences worldwide ca. 100; Number of known occurrences in North America: ca. 56 populations; Number of known occurrences in California = 1 (recently discovered, not yet officially reported; Jovan, personal communication); Number of known occurrences in Oregon = 3-4 (ISMS, Rikkinen 2003?); Number of known occurrences in Washington = ca. 10; Number of known occurrences in British Columbia = ca. 37. Although the number of extant occurrences worldwide is unknown, the North American occurrences (collections) are recent and are mostly extant. Otto (1983) distribution map indicates about 47 populations in North America (mostly in British Columbia), including 4 in Washington and 1 in Oregon. Occurrences are interpreted as similar to populations; 2 collections in close proximity are taken as one occurrence).
Threat Impact CommentsWorldwide, the species has likely gone through some declines since pre-industrial times, though the extent of the decline is unknown. The extent of the decline in the Pacific Northwest is similarly unknown. Although little is known about the reproductive and dispersal biology of this species, it is thought that the species can overcome some habitat fragmentation and, at this point, is fairly secure from extirpation or extinction. However, given the infrequency of this species, it should not be ignored in conservation actions. Additional surveys may reveal the species in lower elevation forests which would have two important implications: (1) the species is less rare than currently thought and (2) the species was probably more common at some point and has experienced a more significant decline than currently thought.