Caloplaca obamae
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| Caloplaca obamae | ||||||||||||
| K. Knudsen , 2009 |
Caloplaca obamae is a species of lichen from the genus Caloplaca . The species occurs only on the California channel island of Santa Rosa Island in the Pacific. It was discovered by Kerry Knudsen in 2007 and described and named in March 2009.
Surname
The lichen is the first living thing named after Barack Obama , the President of the United States of America. Knudsen wanted to honor Obama's support of science and education according to his statements. Knudsen wrote the description in the period between Obama's election and inauguration.
description
Caloplaca obamae produces a thin thallus that is arranged in orange-colored granules 30 to 50 micrometers in diameter and forms spots 0.2 to 1 millimeter in diameter. It can cover a floor area of a maximum of 6 to 7 square centimeters. Their layer of algae is not continuous and under the grains 50 to 100 micrometers thick. The lichen appears to be sterile and does not produce any ascospores . Apothecia found in some specimens could also come from the species Caloplaca ludificans , which is associated with Caloplaca obamae . A species resembling Caloplaca obamae in appearance is Caloplaca xanthostigmoidea .
Way of life
Caloplaca obamae is endemic to the north side of Santa Rosa Island, on clayey soils of sea terraces formed in the Pleistocene , in grasslands that have been intensely grazed for centuries. It was likely brought to the brink of extinction through the establishment of cattle ranches. It is believed that after removing human-introduced animal populations, populations may recover.
literature
- Knudsen, K. 2009. Caloplaca obamae , a new species from Santa Rosa Island, California . Opuscula Philolichenum , 6: 37-40.