Lichenopeltella stereocaulorum

Lichenopeltella stereocaulorum is a species of lichenicolous fungus belonging to the class Dothideomycetes. It was described in 2010 from an infected specimen of Stereocaulon botryosum.

It has a similar appearance to Lichenopeltella cladoniarum but L. stereocaulorum has smaller spores and infects Stereocaulon species, while L. cladoniarum typically infects species of the Cladoniaceae and Physciaceae families.

Distribution and habitat
Lichenipeltella stereocaulorum has a Holarctic distribution in the tundra biome, although it has also been reported from Arctic desert and taiga. It is known from Russia and Canada.

Pathogenicity and host species
Lichenopeltella stereocaulorum infects the stems of Stereocaulon lichens, most commonly at the base of the stem. The following species are known hosts to Lichenopeltella sterecaulorum:


 * Stereocaulon alpinum
 * Stereocaulon botryosum
 * Stereocaulon depressum
 * Stereocaulon groenlandicum
 * Stereocaulon paschale
 * Stereocaulon rivulorum 

It causes no known symptoms of infection in the host.