הזיהויים של marleyi

Photographed at the type locality, and so far only known location for this species on the Chatham Islands. When I last visited this site on the 2 of December 2008 (see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/1346329) Caloplaca maculata was locally common at this location. On this visit the population had declined by 98%, I suspect because of ongoing erosion of the soft volcanic tuff rock it grows on - the site is very exposed, and subjected to wave wash.

So far I have not seen any further populations on the Chatham Islands.

This species is otherwise only known from one location near Akatore, south of Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand, where it is not very common either.

Sadly almost extinct now at the type locality and so far only location where I have seen this species on the Chatham Islands (another population has been reported from Akatore, near Dunedin but I don't know how large that one is). I noted the serious decline at this site in November 2018 but at the time had no idea why this had happened, as the surrounding macro-vegetation was little changed from what it was when I had seen this site during December 2008. I assumed the decline was caused by coastal erosion and salt spray / storm surges. On my most recent visit I was shocked to see ALL the macro-vegetation gone and most of the lichen habitat buried in the soil that had previously been held back by plants. A careful inspection revealed that the lichen habitat was covered in sheep (Ovis aries) droppings. I suspect that some sheep fell down from the farmland above, and prior to being rescued (or dying of starvation) ate ALL of the vegetation at this location. A complete mess. I found only two Caloplaca maculata colonies, the image here is of the largest which measured 15 mm diameter. I have not yet found this species anywhere else on the Chatham Islands but assume it must be somewhere else there. Fingers crossed this population will recover but I seriously doubt it.

Previous Observations:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/1346329
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/18751569