Laurer's Catillaria
Megalaria laureri
Overview
Laurer's Catillaria is a crustose lichen species that forms thin, grayish to brownish crusts on tree bark and occasionally rock surfaces. This inconspicuous lichen produces small, dark apothecia (fruiting bodies) and plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and providing microhabitat for invertebrates in forest ecosystems.
Laurer's Catillaria is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development in its limited range. Air pollution and climate change are also contributing to the deterioration of suitable lichen habitat conditions.
Habitat
Laurer's Catillaria typically grows on the smooth bark of deciduous trees, particularly favoring mature beech, maple, and ash trees in old-growth and semi-natural forests. The species requires stable microclimatic conditions with consistent humidity levels and minimal air pollution, often found in sheltered forest interiors away from urban and agricultural influences.
Other threatened species in Ramalinaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Laurer's Catillaria classified as Endangered?
Where does Laurer's Catillaria live?
What are the main threats to Laurer's Catillaria?
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