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Greater Tundra Owl Lichen - Solorina octospora
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State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
In Montana known from one location in the northwest.
General Description
Thallus with normal, expanded lobes or just a narrow rim around the apothecia; apothecia with 8 spores per ascus (examine thin sections of the apothecia under the compound microscope); and cephalodia internal
(McCune and Geiser 2009) .
Diagnostic Characteristics
Small thallus with relatively large apothecia. Examine thin sections of the apothecia under the compound microscope and look for 8 spores per ascus.
Range Comments
An arctic-alpine species that extends southward in the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 1
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Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
On damp calcareous soil (alpine sod) in the alpine/sub-alpine zones.
Ecology
Photobiont: green algae and cyanobacteria (nitrogen-fixer).
Reproductive Characteristics
Reproduces sexually by spores from the apothecium; 8 spores per ascus.
Stewardship Responsibility
Threats or Limiting Factors
None identified.
References
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