Melanohalea elegantula
Local name: elegant sköldlav
Melanohalea elegantula, commonly known as the elegant camouflage lichen, is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It was first described by Alexander Zahlbruckner in 1894 as Parmelia aspidota var.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanohalea_elegantula
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Lecanorales
Family
Parmeliaceae
Genus
Melanohalea
Melanohalea elegantula belongs to the family Parmeliaceae, order Lecanorales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Melanohalea elegantula, commonly known as the elegant camouflage lichen, is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It was first described by Alexander Zahlbruckner in 1894 as Parmelia aspidota var. elegantula. Hungarian lichenologist Ödön Szatala promoted it to full species status, as Parmelia elegantula, in 1930. Theodore Esslinger transferred it to the genus Melanelia in 1978. Finally, it was assigned to the newly circumscribed genus Melanohalea in 2004.
Elegant sköldlav faces significant threats from air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter its sensitive epiphytic habitat requirements. Climate change and habitat fragmentation through deforestation and urban development further compromise the specific microclimate conditions this lichen species requires for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This epiphytic lichen species grows on the bark of deciduous and coniferous trees in mature forests, particularly favoring areas with stable humidity and clean air conditions. It typically occurs in old-growth and semi-natural woodland habitats at various elevations where suitable host trees and appropriate microclimate conditions persist.
Threats
Air pollution and nitrogen deposition
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Changes in host tree species composition
Habitat fragmentation and deforestation
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
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). Melanohalea elegantula (Melanohalea elegantula). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/elegant-skoldlav