Glyphis cicatricosa

Glyphis cicatricosa
Close-up of Glyphis cicatricosa
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Lecanoromycetes
Order:	Graphidales
Family:	Graphidaceae
Genus:	Glyphis
Species:	G. cicatricosa
Binomial name
Glyphis cicatricosa Ach. (1814)

Glyphis cicatricosa is a crustose lichen in the family Graphidaceae. ^[2] It has a pantropical distribution, being found in the US, Central and South America, South, South-East and East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. ^[3]

In Japan

Glyphis cicatricosa has been of some interest in Japan because its distribution is increasing. The species was first identified on the bark of a Phellodendron amurense tree in Tsukuba, where it grow alongside the other lichens Graphis handelii , Lecanora pulverulenta and Pertusaria pertusa .

Some have speculated that the spread of Glyphis cicatricosa in Japan could be a result of climate change related temperature increase, the urban heat island effect, reduced air pollution or a combination of these factors. ^[3]

References

1. NatureServe. "Glyphis cicatricosa". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
2. "Glyphis cicatricosa". Catalogue of Life . Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
3. Ohmura, Yoshihito; Seaward, Mark R. D. (2017). "Is Glyphis cicatricosa an indicator for 'global warming' or an 'urban heat island' effect in Japan?". The Lichenologist. 49 (3): 291–296. doi: 10.1017/S0024282917000111 .