Arthonia arthonioides
Local name: dalmatinerfläck
Arthonia arthonioides, commonly known as dalmatinerfläck, is a crustose lichen species characterized by its distinctive spotted thallus that forms thin, grayish patches with dark, punctate apothecia resembling dalmatian markings. This epiphytic lichen plays a crucial ecological role as a pioneer species on bark surfaces, contributing to nutrient cycling and providing microhabitat for invertebrates in forest ecosystems.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Jurga Motiejūnaitė, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jurga Motiejūnaitė
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Arthoniomycetes
Order
Arthoniales
Family
Arthoniaceae
Genus
Arthonia
Arthonia arthonioides belongs to the family Arthoniaceae, order Arthoniales, within the Arthoniomycetes class.
Species Profile
Arthonia arthonioides, commonly known as dalmatinerfläck, is a crustose lichen species characterized by its distinctive spotted thallus that forms thin, grayish patches with dark, punctate apothecia resembling dalmatian markings. This epiphytic lichen plays a crucial ecological role as a pioneer species on bark surfaces, contributing to nutrient cycling and providing microhabitat for invertebrates in forest ecosystems.
Arthonia arthonioides, a crustose lichen species, faces significant decline primarily due to air pollution and habitat degradation affecting its specialized substrate requirements. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in air quality and forest management practices that alter the bark chemistry and microclimate conditions essential for its survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dalmatinerfläck occurs exclusively on the smooth bark of mature deciduous trees, particularly favoring the trunks and larger branches of beech, maple, and ash trees in humid, well-ventilated forest environments. The species requires stable microclimatic conditions with consistent moisture levels and minimal direct sunlight exposure.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Arthonia arthonioides, a crustose lichen species, faces significant decline primarily due to air pollution and habitat degradation affecting its specialized substrate requirements. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in air quality and forest management practices that alter the bark chemistry and microclimate conditions essential for its survival.
Air pollution and acid deposition
Forest management and logging practices
Loss of old-growth forest habitats
Changes in host tree species composition
Climate change affecting humidity and temperature regimes
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Arthonia arthonioides (Arthonia arthonioides). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dalmatinerflack