''Sticta'' is a genus of

lichen A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship.Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta'' species with

cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria (), also known as Cyanophyta, are a phylum of gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis. The name ''cyanobacteria'' refers to their color (), which similarly forms the basis of cyanobacteria's common name, blu ...

as photobionts can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, and due to their relative abundance and high turnover, they contribute appreciably to the

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

ecosystem. They are commonly called spotted felt lichens.

Description

The vegetative bodies of the ''Sticta'', the thalli, are foliose, or leafy in appearance. They typically have dimensions of in diameter, although specimens with diameters of up to have been recorded. The lobes are rounded, and the upper surface is black or brown, while the lower surface has a light to dark brown layer of fine hairs (a ), with a few craters, called . Thalli often smell of shrimp or fish. The vegetative reproductive structures called isidia or soredia are often present on species in this genus; apothecia (cup-shaped spore-bearing structures) are rarely found. ''Sticta'' species are usually found growing on bark, wood, or mossy rock.

Distribution and habitat

''Sticta'' species are primarily tropical in distribution, but some species have been reported from as north as Norway, and as far south as the southern tip of South America. Most species of ''Sticta'' grow on bark, wood, or mossy rock, usually in humid areas.

Phylogenetics

Phylogenetic analysis of small and large ribosomal RNA subunits has confirmed that the genus ''Sticta'' is

monophyletic In cladistics for a group of organisms, monophyly is the condition of being a clade—that is, a group of taxa composed only of a common ancestor (or more precisely an ancestral population) and all of its lineal descendants. Monophyletic gro ...

Indicators of ecological continuity

Some

epiphytic An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

lichen species may be used as "ancient woodland indicators"; they can used to quantitatively assess the degree to which a forest has had a long history of canopy continuity. The presence of these species is a reliable indicator that the forest has existed back to early medieval times, without being

clear-cut Clearcutting, clearfelling or clearcut logging is a forestry/ logging practice in which most or all trees in an area are uniformly cut down. Along with shelterwood and seed tree harvests, it is used by foresters to create certain types of fore ...

and regrown. Two ''Sticta'' species, namely, ''S. dufournii'' or the blue-green algal

morphotype In biology, polymorphism is the occurrence of two or more clearly different morphs or forms, also referred to as alternative ''phenotypes'', in the population of a species. To be classified as such, morphs must occupy the same habitat at the s ...

''S. canariensis'', are among several species of lichens that may be used to calculate the New Index of Ecological Continuity (NIEC), considered the most sensitive and accurate determination of forest continuity.

Bioactive compounds

A comprehensive comparative study on the antioxidant activity of lichens from Hawaii and Iceland revealed the Hawaiian lichen ''S. weigelii'' to be a potent producer of antioxidative compounds.

Species

*''

Sticta acyphellata ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta'' ...

'' – Hawaii *''

Sticta alpinotropica ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta'' ...

'' – Papua New Guinea *''

Sticta antoniana ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta'' ...

'' – Hawaii *''

Sticta aongstroemii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta'' ...

'' – Brazil *'' Sticta arachnofuliginosa'' – Colombia *''

Sticta arbuscula ''Sticta arbuscula'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in the South American Andes, it was formally described by Bibiana Moncada and Robert Lücking in 2012. The type specimen was collected in Chingaza National ...

'' – Colombia *'' Sticta arbusculotomentosa'' *''

Sticta atlantica ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Europe *'' Sticta atroandensis'' – Colombia *''

Sticta baileyi ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Australia *''

Sticta borinquensis ''Sticta borinquensis'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Joel Mercado‐Díaz and Robert Lücking. The type specimen was collected by the ...

'' – Puerto Rico *''

Sticta brevior ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' – Colombia *''

Sticta brevipes ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta caliginosa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta camarae ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta canariensis ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' *''

Sticta caperata ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' *''

Sticta carolinensis ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta ciliata ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Neotropics; Africa; Macaronesia; Western Europe *''

Sticta corymbosa ''Sticta corymbosa'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Joel Mercado‐Díaz and Robert Lücking. The type specimen was collected by the fir ...

'' – Puerto Rico *'' Sticta cyphellulata'' *''

Sticta dendroides ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta densiphyllidiata ''Sticta densiphyllidiata'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Joel Mercado‐Díaz and Robert Lücking. The type specimen was collected by ...

'' – Puerto Rico *''

Sticta deyana ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – North America *''

Sticta diversa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta duplolimbata ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta emmanueliana ''Sticta emmanueliana'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Hawaii, it was described as a new species in 2020 by Bibiana Moncada, Robert Lücking, and H. Thorsten Lumbsch. The specific epithet honours the Belg ...

'' – Hawaii *''

Sticta filix ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *'' Sticta flavireagens'' *'' Sticta flavocyphellata'' – Australia *''

Sticta flynnii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Hawaii *'' Sticta fragilinata'' *''

Sticta fuliginoides ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Continental Europe;

Canary Islands The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...

; eastern North America; Colombia *''

Sticta fuliginosa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – widespread *''

Sticta fuscotomentosa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta gallowayana ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *'' Sticta globulifuliginosa'' *'' Sticta guilartensis'' – Puerto Rico *''

Sticta harrisii ''Sticta harrisii'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Joel Mercado‐Díaz, Bibiana Moncada, and Robert Lücking The type specimen was col ...

'' – Puerto Rico *''

Sticta hawaiiensis ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Hawaii *'' Sticta hirsutifuliginosa'' *''

Sticta howei ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' – Australia *''

Sticta humboldtii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta hypopsiloides ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta indica ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' – India *'' Sticta isidiokunthii'' – Colombia *''

Sticta jaguirreana ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' *''

Sticta laciniosa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta latifrons ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta leucoblephara ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *'' Sticta limbata'' *'' Sticta lobarioides'' *''

Sticta lumbschiana ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta'' ...

'' – Colombia *'' Sticta macrocyphellata'' – Colombia *'' Sticta macrofuliginosa'' *''

Sticta macrothallina ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' *''

Sticta maculofuliginosa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Colombia *'' Sticta marginifera'' *''

Sticta martinii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – New Zealand *''

Sticta mexicana ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *'' Sticta microcyphellata'' – Colombia *''

Sticta minutula ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta myrioloba ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' – Australia *''

Sticta nashii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta neopulmonarioides ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta papillata ''Sticta papillata'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Colombia, it was formally described by Bibiana Moncada and Robert Lücking in 2012. The type specimen was collected in the páramo of Villapinzón ( Cundi ...

'' – Colombia *'' Sticta parahumboldtii'' – Colombia *''

Sticta parvilobata ''Sticta parvilobata'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Joel Mercado‐Díaz and Robert Lücking. The type specimen was collected along a ...

'' – Puerto Rico *''

Sticta pedunculata ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta phyllidiifuliginosa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *'' Sticta phyllidiokunthii'' *'' Sticta plumbeociliata'' *'' Sticta pseudohumboldtii'' – Colombia *'' Sticta pseudolobaria'' *'' Sticta pulmonarioides'' *''

Sticta riparia ''Sticta riparia'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Joel Mercado‐Díaz and Robert Lücking. The type specimen was collected by the first au ...

'' – Puerto Rico *''

Sticta rhizinata ''Sticta rhizinata'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Colombia, it was formally described by Bibiana Moncada and Robert Lücking in 2012. It is a member of the '' Sticta weigelii'' species complex. The typ ...

'' – Colombia *'' Sticta rubropruinosa'' – Colombia *''

Sticta rutilans ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta sayeri ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' *''

Sticta silverstonei ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' – Colombia *''

Sticta sinuosa ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta smithii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Hawaii *''

Sticta stipitata ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta subfilicinella ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *'' Sticta sublimbata'' *''

Sticta subtomentella ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta swartzii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' *''

Sticta sylvatica ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta'' ...

'' – continental Europe; Andes (Colombia) *''

Sticta tainorum ''Sticta tainorum'' is a rare species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Puerto Rico, it was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Joel Mercado‐Díaz and Robert Lücking. The type specimen was collected by the ...

'' – Puerto Rico *''

Sticta tatamana ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Sticta' ...

'' *''

Sticta tesselata ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta torii ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' *''

Sticta tunjensis ''Sticta tunjensis'' is a species of foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. Found in Colombia, it was formally described by Bibiana Moncada and Robert Lücking in 2012. The type specimen was collected in ( Tunja, Boyacá Department) at ...

'' – Colombia *'' Sticta variabilis'' *''

Sticta venosa ''Sticta venosa'' is a species of lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is known only from Pichincha Province, Ecuador, where it grows on the ground between mosses in a montane rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and co ...

'' *''

Sticta viviana ''Sticta viviana'' is a species of corticolous (bark-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It is found in Colombia, where it grows on the branches and twigs of shrubs and treelets in high-elevation páramo habitat. Taxonomy ...

'' – Colombia *''

Sticta waikamoi ''Sticta'' is a genus of lichens in the family Peltigeraceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical areas, and includes about 114 species. These lichens have a leafy appearance, and are colored brown or black. ''Stict ...

'' – Hawaii *'' Sticta xanthotropa''

References

Cited literature

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q7616341 Peltigerales genera Lichen genera Taxa described in 1791 Taxa named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber