The
World Botanical Associates Web Page
Prepared by Richard W. Spjut
April 2003, Oct 2005, Sep 2012
Additions: May 2017
Niebla and Vermilacinia (Ramalinaceae) from California and Baja
California.
Evolutionary history of coastal species
of fog lichen genera |
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SE of Guerrero Negro, near Whale watching center, Jan
2016 |
SE of Guerrero Negro, near Whale watching center, Jan
2016 |
SE of Guerrero Negro, near Whale watching center, Jan
2016
|
Morro Santo Domingo,
|
Scammon's Lagoon, BCS |
Guerrero Negro, |
Rancho San José |
Cañón San Vicente
|
|
Habitat of the species
near Guerrero Negro, BCS |
Close-up of thallus,
near Guerrero Negro, |
Bahía
de San Quintín, |
Bahía
de San Quintín, BCN
|
Geographic Distribution
|
Illustration
of TLC data showing salazinic acid among
other chemotypes |
Niebla limicola is a lichen that is endemic to Baja California, occurring along shores of bays and beaches with salt scrub (Atriplex, Frankenia), and inland on alkali barren soil (devoid of higher plant vegetation), ranging from the Vizcaíno Peninsula to Bahía de San Quintín. It seems most common on coastal mud or sand in the Southern Vizcaíno Desert, especially near Guerrero Negro where it appears to be the only terricolous Niebla. It is readily recognized by the regular appearance of short bifurcate branchlets arising along dilated-flattened segments, and by having salazinic acid. Niebla arenaria is similar in chemistry and habit, but differs by the linear-prismatic branches in contrast to the dilated-flattened branches of N. limicola. Another similar species, N. effusa (salazinic acid), has spreading fringing branchlets from dilated segments instead of the regular bifurcate branching. Branches of N. limicola are generally more twisted in contrast to related salazinic-acid species. Niebla brachyura, a relatively rare species in the southern region of the Vizcaíno Desert and on Isla Cedros, is sometimes similar in the bifurcate branching but easily distinguished by its lichen substance of hypoprotocetraric acid (as opposed to salazinic acid). The geographic occurrence of N. limicola on the northern peninsula of Baja California (Norte) is more spotty than in related species. As the epithet implies, the thalli are mostly found on alkali silt or mud where there is little other vegetation, including lichens as may be seen in Cañón San Vicente—between El Rosario and Punta Antonio—south of Punta Baja. |