Ruffled Freckled Pelt Lichen
Peltigera leucophlebia
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Peltigerales
Family
Peltigeraceae
Genus
Peltigera
Ruffled Freckled Pelt Lichen belongs to the family Peltigeraceae, order Peltigerales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Ruffled Freckled Pelt Lichen faces severe threats from air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter its sensitive epiphytic habitat. Habitat loss through deforestation and urban development has eliminated many suitable host trees, while climate change is shifting precipitation patterns and temperature regimes beyond the species' tolerance limits.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This epiphytic lichen grows on the bark of mature deciduous and mixed forest trees, particularly favoring humid old-growth forests with stable microclimates. It requires clean air conditions and is typically found in undisturbed woodland areas with consistent moisture levels.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Ruffled Freckled Pelt Lichen faces severe threats from air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter its sensitive epiphytic habitat. Habitat loss through deforestation and urban development has eliminated many suitable host trees, while climate change is shifting precipitation patterns and temperature regimes beyond the species' tolerance limits.
Air pollution and nitrogen deposition
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Deforestation and habitat fragmentation
Host tree mortality from disease and pests
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). Ruffled Freckled Pelt Lichen (Peltigera leucophlebia). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/ruffled-freckled-pelt-lichen