Leproplaca proteus
Local name: härjedalsorangelav
Härjedalsorangelav (Leproplaca proteus) is a crustose lichen species with distinctive orange to yellow-orange thalli that forms thin, crusty patches on rock surfaces. This specialized lichen plays an important ecological role in primary succession and nutrient cycling in harsh alpine environments, contributing to soil formation through slow weathering of its rocky substrates.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Teloschistales
Family
Teloschistaceae
Genus
Leproplaca
Leproplaca proteus belongs to the family Teloschistaceae, order Teloschistales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Härjedalsorangelav (Leproplaca proteus) is a crustose lichen species with distinctive orange to yellow-orange thalli that forms thin, crusty patches on rock surfaces. This specialized lichen plays an important ecological role in primary succession and nutrient cycling in harsh alpine environments, contributing to soil formation through slow weathering of its rocky substrates.
Härjedalsorangelav (Leproplaca proteus) is critically endangered primarily due to its extremely limited distribution and vulnerability to habitat degradation. This lichen species faces severe threats from air pollution, climate change effects on its specialized substrate requirements, and potential habitat loss from human activities in its restricted range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Härjedalsorangelav occurs exclusively on exposed siliceous rock faces and boulder surfaces in high-altitude alpine environments of Scandinavia. It typically colonizes south-facing cliff faces and rocky outcrops between 800-1400 meters elevation, where it experiences extreme temperature fluctuations and intense UV radiation.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Härjedalsorangelav (Leproplaca proteus) is critically endangered primarily due to its extremely limited distribution and vulnerability to habitat degradation. This lichen species faces severe threats from air pollution, climate change effects on its specialized substrate requirements, and potential habitat loss from human activities in its restricted range.
Air pollution and acid deposition
Climate change affecting substrate conditions
Extremely limited geographic range
Habitat degradation from human activities
Loss of suitable rock substrates
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). Leproplaca proteus (Leproplaca proteus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/harjedalsorangelav