Erioderma
Encyclopedia
Erioderma is a genus of lichen
ized fungi in the family Pannariaceae
. They are commonly called mouse ears or felt lichens, and are small, pale brown to olive-brown foliose cyanolichens with a fuzzy upper surface that have the cyanobacteria Scytonema
as their photobiont. Most species are found in the tropics of Central
and South America
, although three species are found in coastal regions of North America
where they generally grow on mossy branches in humid sites. All North American species are rare, and two of them, Erioderma mollissimum and Erioderma pedicellatum
, are listed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
(COSEWIC). Erioderma pedicellatum is also listed as critically endangered
on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
. Species of Erioderma can resemble Pannaria
, Leioderma
, or small Peltigera
, but their fuzzy upper surface and lack of veins on their lower surface distinguishes them from these lichens.
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
ized fungi in the family Pannariaceae
Pannariaceae
The Pannariaceae are a lichenized family of fungi in the order Peltigerales . Species from this family have a widespread distribution, but are especially prevalent in southern temperate regions.-Species list:*Austrella...
. They are commonly called mouse ears or felt lichens, and are small, pale brown to olive-brown foliose cyanolichens with a fuzzy upper surface that have the cyanobacteria Scytonema
Scytonema
Scytonema is a genus of photosynthetic cyanobacteria that contains over 100 species. It grows in filaments that form dark mats. Many species are aquatic and are either free-floating or grow attached to a submerged substrate, while others species grow on terrestrial rocks, wood, soil, or plants...
as their photobiont. Most species are found in the tropics of Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, although three species are found in coastal regions of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
where they generally grow on mossy branches in humid sites. All North American species are rare, and two of them, Erioderma mollissimum and Erioderma pedicellatum
Erioderma pedicellatum
Erioderma pedicellatum is a medium-sized, foliose lichen in the family Pannariaceae, commonly called boreal felt lichen because of its fuzzy appearance. It grows on trees in damp boreal forests along the Atlantic coast, as well as on the Pacific coast of Alaska...
, are listed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada ; French: Le Comité sur la situation des espèces en péril au Canada, is an independent committee of wildlife experts and scientists whose "raison d’être is to identify species at risk" in Canada...
(COSEWIC). Erioderma pedicellatum is also listed as critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
. Species of Erioderma can resemble Pannaria
Pannaria
Pannaria is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Pannariaceae.-External links:*...
, Leioderma
Leioderma
Leioderma is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Pannariaceae.-External links:*...
, or small Peltigera
Peltigera
Peltigera is a genus of approximately 91 species of lichenized fungi in the family Peltigeraceae.Commonly known as the dog lichen, lichens of Peltigera are often terricolous , but can also occur on moss, trees, rocks, and many other substrates in many parts of the world...
, but their fuzzy upper surface and lack of veins on their lower surface distinguishes them from these lichens.