Squamarina pachylepidea
Local name: dvärgplacodlav
Squamarina pachylepidea is a small crustose lichen species with thick, scale-like thallus segments that form grayish to brownish patches on rock surfaces. This slow-growing lichen plays an important ecological role as a pioneer species in harsh environments, contributing to soil formation and providing microhabitats for invertebrates in rocky ecosystems.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Annie Evankow, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annie Evankow
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Lecanorales
Family
Stereocaulaceae
Genus
Squamarina
Squamarina pachylepidea belongs to the family Stereocaulaceae, order Lecanorales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Squamarina pachylepidea is a small crustose lichen species with thick, scale-like thallus segments that form grayish to brownish patches on rock surfaces. This slow-growing lichen plays an important ecological role as a pioneer species in harsh environments, contributing to soil formation and providing microhabitats for invertebrates in rocky ecosystems.
Squamarina pachylepidea faces severe decline due to habitat loss from coastal development, quarrying, and infrastructure projects that destroy its specialized limestone substrates. Air pollution and climate change further threaten this sensitive lichen species by altering the specific microclimate conditions it requires for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This lichen typically colonizes exposed calcareous rocks, limestone outcrops, and weathered concrete surfaces in open, well-lit environments. It shows preference for slightly basic substrates with good air circulation, often found on cliff faces, stone walls, and rocky slopes at various elevations.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Squamarina pachylepidea faces severe decline due to habitat loss from coastal development, quarrying, and infrastructure projects that destroy its specialized limestone substrates. Air pollution and climate change further threaten this sensitive lichen species by altering the specific microclimate conditions it requires for survival.
Coastal development and urbanization
Quarrying and mining of limestone substrates
Air pollution affecting lichen sensitivity
Climate change altering microhabitat conditions
Infrastructure development fragmenting habitat
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). Squamarina pachylepidea (Squamarina pachylepidea). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dvargplacodlav