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Distribution in scandinavian waters
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Size: This species builds large patches
and belts where it is difficult to discern between seperate individuals.
Their thickness on the rock surface is less than 1mm.
Appearance: Salt lichens build a very thin layer and when it
dries out tends to crack up into an irregular chequered pattern. The
fruiting structures (perithecium), are partly depressed into the body.
With its upper parts, the perithecies build small scattered wart like
structures. The lichen is black and can shine a little. Bears a close
resemblance to oil spills.
Compare with Calothrix.
Depth: From the upper
most reaches of high tide and upwards as far as the waves splash.
Environment: Found mainly on the northern and eastern sides of
cliffs
and rocks. The most evident and prominent belts form only where
small waves reach the shoreline.
Misc.: Like the other lichens, the salt lichen is composed of
both fungal and algal tissue. Both parts cooperate in a symbiotic relationship.
The algal tissue can produce, amongst other things, sugars through photosynthesis,
and the fungal tissue can, for example, absorb and store water. Salt
lichen is perennial, and the areas it covers grow slowly. There are
no large animals that eat salt lichen.
Classification: Salt lichen is part of the sac fungi group under
the lichens.
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