liten parasitspik
CR

liten parasitspik

Sphinctrina leucopoda

Unknown

Photo: Photo: (c) Jason Dart, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jason Dart

Overview

Sphinctrina leucopoda is a minute parasitic fungus that forms tiny, dark fruiting bodies on the surfaces of crustose lichens. This specialized parasite appears as small, black, pin-like structures with white stalks, measuring only 0.2-0.5mm in height. It plays a unique ecological role as an obligate parasite of specific lichen species, contributing to the complex microecosystem dynamics of lichen communities.

Sphinctrina leucopoda, a lichen species, faces severe threats primarily from habitat loss and degradation due to air pollution and climate change. The species is highly sensitive to environmental changes and requires specific substrate conditions that are increasingly rare in its native range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Sphinctrina leucopoda inhabits the surfaces of crustose lichens growing on the bark of old deciduous trees, particularly in humid, undisturbed forest environments. The species requires very specific microhabitat conditions with stable humidity and minimal air pollution, typically found in ancient woodland sites with continuous forest cover.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Sphinctrinaceae

EN

English Parasite Needle Lichen

Sphinctrina anglica

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is liten parasitspik classified as Critically Endangered?
liten parasitspik is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Sphinctrina leucopoda, a lichen species, faces severe threats primarily from habitat loss and degradation due to air pollution and climate change. The species is highly sensitive to environmental changes and requires specific substrate conditions that are increasingly rare in its native range.
Where does liten parasitspik live?
liten parasitspik occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to liten parasitspik?
The main threats to liten parasitspik are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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