Peltigera cinnamomea, commonly known as the cinnamon-pelt lichen, is a muscicolous (moss-dwelling), leafy lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. The Canadian lichenologist Trevor Goward formally described the species in 1995. The lichen is found in northwestern North America's forested regions, particularly in the unique montane and subalpine forest communities of the northern Rocky Mountains. Peltigera cinnamomea grows under prolonged snow cover, surviving well into spring. This trait distinguishes it from many other Peltigera species in similar North American forest ecosystems.
Peltigera cinnamomea forms a specialised symbiotic relationship with specific strains of the cyanobacterium Nostoc, enabling it to fix atmospheric nitrogen, crucial for survival in nutrient-poor environments. This lichen is part of the broadly defined species complex centred around the widely distributed Peltigera canina. Within this complex, P.cinnamomea falls under the CICADE group, indicating a preference for moist, woodland habitats.
Characterised by its leafy thallus, which is loosely attached to its substrate , P.cinnamomea typically measures 10–30cm (4–12in) in diameter. The thallus has a distinctive appearance, with a dull, billowed upper surface covered in a soft, dense growth of hairs. The species namecinnamomea is reflected in the pale tan undersurface of the thallus, featuring rusty-brown, cinnamon-coloured veins . The lichen produces apothecia (fruiting bodies) that bear clear ascospores with three internal partitions.
Taxonomy
The type specimen of Peltigera cinnamomea was collected by the Canadian lichenologist Trevor Goward on 13 April 1985, within the Clearwater River Basin in British Columbia (Canada), at an elevation of 675m (2,215ft). The lichen was found growing over a mossy boulder situated in a boulder bed in an open, mixed forest. Peltigera cinnamomea was first scientifically documented by Goward in a 1994 report on the Peltigera species in Alberta, published by the Provincial Museum of Alberta.[2] It did not, however, meet the specific standards for valid publication of a new species, due to non-compliance with Articles 39.1 and 40.1 of the nomenclatural rules, which require a clear description and the designation of a type specimen.[3] Goward published it formally a year later in 1995, as part of a synopsis of Peltigera occurring in British Columbia. Peltigera cinnamomea, although readily recognisable in its natural habitat, was historically misidentified as P.praetextata, because both species share some superficial similarities. However, their distinct ecological preferences, alongside more detailed morphological differences, led to the formal recognition of P.cinnamomea.[4]
The species epithet refers to the cinnamon-coloured veins on the thallus underside.[4] Goward called it the "dog pelt" in a previous publication before it was officially named.[1] It has also been referred to as the "cinnamon-pelt lichen".[5]
Early (2003) molecular phylogenetics studies of taxa within the P.caninaspecies complex delineated two major monophyletic groups, meaning they consist of all the descendants of a common ancestor, each with distinct ecological preferences. The two groups are known as CICADE and PORUDI. The acronym CICADE stands for "Cinnamomea, Canina, Degelii, and their close relatives", encompassing species that are primarily mesophytic, meaning they thrive in moderately moist environments, to subhygrophytic, indicating they prefer slightly wetter conditions. While these species typically occupy humid, woodland habitats, they can also be found in drier locations. Peltigera cinnamomea is a part of the CICADE group, reflecting its preference for environments that maintain moderate to high humidity. This categorisation is supported by genetic data that confirms its close relationship with other species in this group.[6]
Description
The thallus underside shows the cinnamon-coloured veins for which the lichen is named.
Peltigera cinnamomea is characterised by its foliose, loosely attached thallus, which typically spans 10–30cm (4–12in) in diameter. The structure of the thallus facilitates various ecological functions. The lobes of this lichen are somewhat leathery and stiff, measuring approximately 1 to 3cm (0.4 to 1.2in) in width, elongating and loosely overlapping with irregular branches. The tips of the lobes are rounded and may either lie flat or curve downwards, with generally smooth margins. The upper surface varies in colour from pale bluish-grey to pale brownish-grey, and may be tinged with shades of cinnamon brown. This surface is dull, often billowed broadly, and covered with a tomentum—a short, soft, dense growth of hairs—that tends to fade near the thallus centre.[4]
The lichen lacks soredia (granular reproductive structures) and isidia (outgrowths containing both the algae and the fungus of the lichen), indicative of its specific reproductive and structural characteristics. The margins are devoid of lobules (small lobes).
The lower surface features pale tan veins that darken to rusty brown or cinnamon brown towards the centre. These veins are narrow, occasionally raised, and smooth ( glabrous ), while the areas between them (interstices) are whitish and moderately deep. The rhizines, root-like structures, match the colour of the veins and range from simple to intricately branched ( penicillate ), enhancing the lichen's attachment to its substrate.[4]
The cortex of the thallus is 50–80μm thick, and beneath this lies a photobiont layer, 20–80μm thick, hosting the cyanobacterium Nostoc. The medulla, a loosely packed layer of fungal hyphae located beneath the photobiont layer, is white and measures 70–180μm in thickness.[4]
Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are commonly found at the margins on narrow, elongate lobes. These bear a medium brown, longitudinally folded disc , averaging 6–10mm in length and typically erect. The ascospores are clear (hyaline), three-septate, and measure 40–49μm in length by 3–5μm in width, with eight spores per ascus (the spore-bearing sacs). Conidiomata (asexual reproductive structures) have not been observed to occur in this species.[4]
Peltigera cinnamomea forms a specialised symbiotic relationship with the cyanobacteriumNostoc, which serves as its primary photosynthetic partner (photobiont). Unlike many lichens that may associate with various Nostocstrains, P.cinnamomea specifically partners with certain genetic clusters of Nostoc. Genetic studies have identified specific clusters of Nostoc, indicating a closely adapted relationship where the lichen's fungal component and its photosynthetic partner have co-evolved to maximise mutual survival benefits. This partnership benefits P.cinnamomea by enabling it to efficiently fix atmospheric nitrogen, vital for thriving in nutrient-sparse environments. This tailored relationship suggests that the distribution of P.cinnamomea may be closely tied to the presence of its specific Nostoc partners, reflecting a delicate balance between the lichen and its preferred photobiont environments.[7]
Similar species
Peltigera cinnamomea is often recognisable in its natural habitat but was frequently misidentified as P.praetextata in taxonomic classifications.[8] Unlike P.praetextata, which has brownish or tan-coloured veins that are often tomentose and partially erect, P.cinnamomea has paler veins. P.praetextata has somewhat crisped lobe margins with lobules, particularly on older parts of the thallus. Both species occur throughout inland British Columbia, but P.cinnamomea predominantly inhabits areas with prolonged snow cover, persisting until May or June, conditions under which P.praetextata is absent.[4]
Peltigera cinnamomea closely resembles the isidiate lichen P.evansiana, suggesting they might form a species pair , where the primary species is fertile, and the secondary species reproduces vegetatively. This similarity warrants careful observation for accurate identification.[4]
Within the genus Peltigera, P.cinnamomea is grouped with species that feature Nostoc as a primary photobiont and have an appressed laminal tomentum. It shares similar lobe widths of 1.5–3cm (0.6–1.2in) with P.canina, P.membranacea, and P.retifoveata, unlike the narrower lobes of P.didactyla and P.ponojensis. The veins of P.cinnamomea—pale to cinnamon brown and low to partly raised—differ markedly from the darker, more elevated veins of P.praetextata and the broad, strongly raised veins of P.retifoveata. Apothecia are frequently observed in P.cinnamomea, similar to P.canina, P.membranacea, and P.rufescens, but less common in P.retifoveata. Unlike most species in this comparison, only P.retifoveata consistently demonstrates chemical traits, whereas P.cinnamomea does not. P.cinnamomea prefers mesic to hygric environments, particularly snowy locales, unlike the xeric to mesic habitats preferred by P.canina, P.didactyla, and P.ponojensis. These distinctions in ecological adaptations and morphological features help identify and differentiate P.cinnamomea from closely related species.[4]
Habitat and distribution
Folded, brownish apothecia arise at the ends of elongated lobes and are usually erect.
Peltigera cinnamomea inhabits various forested areas across western North America. It predominantly grows on moss, moss-covered rocks, and logs, in open and somewhat sheltered inland forests at various elevations. This species adapts well to mesophytic to hygrophytic conditions and is particularly prevalent in areas with prolonged snow cover, often surviving under snow until late spring or early summer (May or June). This resilience makes it one of the most snow-tolerant Peltigera species that occur in the local lichen funga.[4]
Peltigera cinnamomea grows in specific ecological communities within montane and subalpine forests in the northern Rocky Mountains, particularly in the northern Whitefish Range, Montana, USA. These communities are classified in a unique forest order called Calamagrostio-Pseudotsugetalia glaucae, characterised by its dominant plant species and unique environmental conditions. Though termed an "order", this classification groups ecosystems with similar species and interactions, typical of valley bottoms and lower slopes across northwestern North America. These forests are distinct from the coastal forests of the Vaccinio-Piceetea class, filling niches similar to those of broad-leaved forests in other temperate regions. Influenced by Pacific air masses, these areas benefit from moist conditions and extensive snow cover, providing a stable environment for the growth of species like P.cinnamomea.[12]
Conservation
Peltigera cinnamomea has an "S5" provincial conservation status in British Columbia, meaning it is "demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure". It is also listed as "yellow" in the B.C. List Status, indicating that it is "apparently secure and not at risk of extinction". It has not been assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.[13] In Oregon, it was listed as a "taxon of concern" by the Oregon Biodiversity Information Center in 2016.[5]
Related Research Articles
Peltigera is a genus of approximately 100 species of foliose lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. Commonly known as the dog or pelt lichens, species of Peltigera are often terricolous, but can also occur on moss, trees, rocks, and many other substrates in many parts of the world.
Collema is a genus of lichens in the family Collemataceae. The photobiont is the cyanobacterium genus Nostoc. Species in this genus typically grow on nutrient-rich bark or somewhat siliceous or calcareous rocks in humid environments.
Peltigera aphthosa is a species of lichen known by the common names green dog lichen, leafy lichen, felt lichen, and common freckle pelt. It has a circumpolar distribution, occurring throughout the Arctic, boreal, and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Sticta venosa is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is known only from Pichincha Province, Ecuador, and from Colombia. It was described as new to science in 2011.
Peltigera vainioi is a species of lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is found in high-elevation locations in South America. It is a somewhat unusual species in its genus, characterized by a single holdfast that attaches to its substrate, and pores in its cortex.
Peltigera canina, commonly known as the dog lichen, is a widely distributed species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 work Species Plantarum. German botanist Carl Ludwig Willdenow transferred it to the genus Peltigera in 1787. This species is currently undergoing research as it is likely multiple species under one united name.
Peltigera lepidophora, commonly known as the scaly pelt, is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It was first described by Finnish lichenologist Edvard August Vainio in 1878 as a variety of Peltigera canina. German botanist Friedrich August Georg Bitter promoted it to species status in 1904.
Peltigera praetextata, or the scaly dog pelt lichen, is a foliose lichen native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It is defined by small belly-button-like growths called phyllidia on its edges and centre.
Peltigera papuana is a lichen-forming fungus in the family Peltigeraceae. It was described in 2009 from Madang Province of Papua New Guinea, which inspired its specific epithet. Genetic analysis of both the mycobiont and the photobiont, which is a Nostoc cyanobacterium, suggests that the evolutionary origin of Pelitgera papuana is from an ancient dispersal event from South America, although this remains inconclusive.
Peltigera rufescens, commonly known as the field dog lichen or field pelt, is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. This common and widespread species has a cosmopolitan distribution, often found in dry, sunny habitats on basic soils, limestone, and nutrient-rich silicate substrates. The lichen forms rosettes up to 20 cm in diameter, with a grey to brown thallus densely covered with a soft, velvety tomentum. Its lobes, typically 3–5 cm long and 5–10 mm wide, have distinctively curled upward edges. The underside features a network of veins and rhizines, which anchor the lichen to its substrate. P. rufescens reproduces both sexually through apothecia and asexually via regeneration lobes. It forms a symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria from the genus Nostoc as its photobiont. The species is notable for its ability to bioaccumulate heavy metals and its adaptive responses to UV-B radiation, making it a subject for ecological and physiological studies.
Peltigera shennongjiana is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Central China, it was formally described as a new species in 2019 by Liu-Fu Han and Shou-Yu Guo. The type specimen was collected from Laojunshan Mountain in the Shennongjia Forestry District at an elevation of 900 m (3,000 ft); here it was found growing on mosses over rocks and soil. The species epithet refers to the type locality.
Solorina crocea, commonly known as the orange chocolate chip lichen, is a species of terricolous (ground-dwelling) and foliose (leafy) lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. The lichen, which was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, has an arctic–alpine and circumpolar distribution and occurs in Asia, Europe, North America, and New Zealand. It generally grows on the bare ground in sandy soils, often in moist soil near snow patches or seepage areas. Although several forms and varieties of the lichen have been proposed in its history, these are not considered to have any independent taxonomic significance.
Peltigera koponenii is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Papua New Guinea, it was formally described as a new species in 2009 by Emmanuël Sérusiaux, Bernard Goffinet, Jolanta Miądlikowska, and Orvo Vitikainen. The type specimen was collected near Lake Wanba at an altitude of 2,400–2,500 m (7,900–8,200 ft), where it was found growing on a tree trunk in an open montane forest of Nothofagus and Pandanus. The species epithet honours Finnish bryologist Timo Koponen, "who made large and well processed collections of Peltigera in Papua New Guinea".
Peltigera hydrophila is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. First described in 2020, it distinguishes itself through a distinct, hairless thallus that turns deep blue-violet when it becomes wet. Found primarily in the Magallanes Region of Chile, this small leafy lichen clings closely to mosses and other substrates. Distinctive features include the always-present reddish-brown to dark brown apothecia and the Peltigera-type ascospores that contain three internal partitions, or septa. Despite sharing a habitat with similar species like P. aubertii and P. frigida, P. hydrophila sets itself apart through its unique thallus surface texture and colour. This semi-aquatic lichen primarily thrives in humid forests, shrubby and herbaceous vegetation in southern Chile, particularly near waterfalls, streams, and other wet environments.
Lempholemma polycarpum is a little-known species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling) lichen in the family Lichinaceae. It was first described from Yemen and is characterised by its blackish thallus, abundant small apothecia, and cyanobacteria from the genus Nostoc as its photobiont. The lichen is found on inclined limestone boulders in sun-exposed habitats with open forest vegetation. It also occurs in Madagascar and in Aldabra.
Hypogymnia amplexa is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It is found in the western United States and Canada.
Peltigera castanea is a species of terricolous and muscicolous, foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Described as a new species in 2003, it is part of the taxonomically challenging species complex centred around Peltigera didactyla. Recognised based on phylogenetic studies that highlighted its unique genetic markers, P. castanea is distinguished by its dark, chestnut-coloured upper surface, which inspired its vernacular name, chestnut pelt lichen. Its known distribution includes North America, Asia, Europe (Estonia), Greenland, and the Antarctic. The conservation status of Peltigera castanea varies regionally, from being critically imperiled in British Columbia and Yukon to critically endangered in Estonia due to significant habitat degradation and restricted population size.
Peltigera retifoveata is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is found in Scandinavia, western Eurasia and western North America, where it grows on the ground and amongst mosses.
Sticta torii is a rare species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in northwestern North America, it was formally described as a new species in 2018 by the lichenologists Antoine Simon and Trevor Goward, from specimens collected in Alaska. The species epithet honours the Norwegian lichenologist Tor Tønsberg, "in recognition of his outstanding, vigorous contribution to lichenology".
Pseudocyphellaria hirsuta is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. First described in 1835, it has undergone several taxonomic revisions over nearly two centuries. The lichen forms a flat, leaf-like structure (thallus) that can grow up to 27 cm in diameter, typically appearing grey or brown and covered in fine hairs. It is characterised by small pore-like structures called pseudocyphellae on its lower surface, which can be yellow or, less commonly, white. P. hirsuta grows mainly on trees in forested areas, particularly those dominated by southern beech (Nothofagus) species, but can also be found on rocks, soil, and stumps. The species is widely distributed in Argentina and Chile, from central regions to Tierra del Fuego, and has been observed in various forest types and elevations.
References
1 2 Goward, Trevor; McCune, Bruce; Meidinger, Del (1994). The Lichens of British Columbia: Illustrated Keys. Part 1 — Foliose and Squamulose Species. Victoria, B.C.: Ministry of Forests Research Program. p.103. ISBN0-7726-2194-2. OCLC31651418.
↑ McCune, Bruce; Geiser, Linda (2009). Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest (2nded.). Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. pp.238, 413. ISBN978-0-87071-394-1.
↑ Klinkenberg, Brian, ed. (2020). "Peltigera cinnamomea Goward". E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
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