Acantholichen

Acantholichen is a genus of basidiolichen-forming fungus species in the family Hygrophoraceae. The genus was established in 1998 by the Per Magnus Jørgensen based on a single species from Costa Rica, but has since grown to include seven recognized species found across Central and South America. These lichens form crusts made of tiny, scale-like flaps that give them a finely granular appearance, quite different from the thread-like growth of their close relatives. Acantholichen species partner with blue-green bacteria to create their living structures, using specialized fungal pegs to exchange nutrients with their bacterial partners.