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Common name(s): Mid-Atlantic Comb-over, Beach Broccoli

Taxonomic Notes: This species was included within Cladonia mitis until Evans (1943) separated it on the basis that C. submitis occupies a different habitat, produces unique secondary compounds, and has shorter, more robust podetia. Four subspecies of C. submitis were also recognized by Evans (1943), and while they have not been subsequently investigated in detail, they are not presently recognized as taxonomically distinct (Hoffman et al. 2020). The reported occurrences of this species in east Asia are very likely ascribable to a different taxon. While the individuals do share some characteristics (e.g. production of usnic acid and pseudonorrangiformic acid), there are notable morphological differences. The podetia of North American individuals are thicker and coarser than Asian individuals (Ahti 1961). Furthermore, the North American populations occur in coastal sandy habitats while the Asian populations occur on rocky outcrops at higher elevations (Hoffman et al. 2020). Thus, the Asian occurrences are treated as a distinct taxon, and C. submitis isconsidered endemic to eastern North America.

ASSESSMENT JUSTIFICATION [criteria: A2c; B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)]

Cladonia submitis is an endemic macrolichen native to the Mid-Atlantic coast of North America, inhabiting primarily pine barren and sand dune habitat. It has a restricted area of occupancy (AOO = 196 km²), and is considered to be severely fragmented. The species shows evidence of decline due to habitat loss resulting from land use changes and development. Based on recent large-scale surveys, there hasbeen a 59.3% decline in AOO and a 39.3% decline in extent of occurrence (EOO) in the past century (Hoffman et al. 2020). A similar range of decline in the population size is inferred based on the reduction in EOO and AOO. Overall, therefore, the species is listed as Endangered under criteria A2c; B2ab(i,ii,ii,iv).

Assessor/s: Hoffman, J., Ohmura, Y. & Lendemer, J.; Reviewer/s: Yahr, R.; Facilitator(s) & Compiler(s): Chandler, A. & Allen, J.

Bibliography:

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Evans, A.W. (1943) Microchemical studies on the genus Cladonia, subgenus Cladina. Rhodora 45(539):417-438.

Hoffman, J.R., Ohmura, Y. & Lendemer, J.C. (2020) Combing for Beach Broccoli: surveys of the endemic macrolichen Cladonia submitis determines endangered status under IUCN guidelines. Biodiversity and Conservation 29: 2439–2456.

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Ray, D.G., Calahan, G.D. & Lendemer, J.C. (2020) Factors influencing the persistance of reindeer lichens (Cladonia subgenus Cladina) within frequent-fire environments of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA. Fire Ecology 16(1): 1-18.

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