Identification Information: This species is unmistakable and recognizable for all naturalists. Thallus fruticose, much dissected into very fine, somewhat tubular, often branched lobes of c. 0.3 mm wide; upper surface yellowish-green; lower surface black; isidiate with isidia of the same width as the lobes; medulla P+ red; KOH+ yellow/orange (not >red); apothecia unknown.
Buellia sharpiana is narrowly endemic to an Anakeesta rock formation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where it occurs at one location and occupies a total area of 8 km2. One major negative event, like a large-scale wildfire, could lead to its extirpation or quickly becoming substantially morethreatened. Therefore, it is listed as Vulnerable, D2.
Assessor/s: Allen, J., Lendemer, J. & McMullin, T.; Reviewer/s: Reese Næsborg, R.; Facilitators(s) and Compiler(s): Allen, J. & Scheidegger, C.
Bibliography:
Allen, J.L. & Lendemer, J.C. (2016) Climate change impacts on endemic, high-elevation lichens in abiodiversity hotspot. Biodiversity and Conservation25(3): 555-568.
IUCN (2020) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2020-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 10 December 2020).
Lendmer, J.C. & Harris, R.C. (2013) Buellia sharpiana (Physciaceae, Lichenized Ascomycetes), another new species from the Great Smoky Mountains of eastern North America. Castanea78: 148-153.
Find out more about the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteriahere.