Enterographa nitidula (Common name: Rankin Splotches) is known from a single island in the Florida Keys in southeastern North America where it is imperiled by sea-level rise and other forces.

Enterographa nitidula is known from a single island in the Florida Keys, a series of tiny islands in southeastern North America.

Demographic studies are needed to assess and monitor populations sizes. Our current knowledge of the species suggests that its populations are stable.

The species occurs on sun-exposed lignum of the mangrove Concarpus erectus above the high tide line and outside of the reach of saly spray.

The known populations occur a region where there has been extensive conversion and alteration of habitats historically, particularly on the nearby mainland and larger islands which include densely populated urban and suburban centers. Although the known populations occur on a small island within a large national park the entire region is imperiled by sea-level rise and other habitat shifts related to sea-level rise. Additional potential threats to this species include pollution and invasive plants that may displace the existing native vegetation on which it occurs.

There are many conservation actions that can be taken including, educating and training land managers and local botanists to identify the species so we can monitor its health, federally listing the species as endangered in the United States, improving air quality regulation, and monitoring changes associated with sea-level rise. Policy and legislation considering biodiversity threatened by sea-level rise is also needed.

Further research that will aid in the conservation of this species includes population assessments and monitoring, population genetics studies, and ecological studies that incorporate threats to the species. Additionally, a species recovery plan needs to be written.

Seavey, F. & J. Seavey. 2014. New additions to the lichen genus Enterographa (Roccellaceae) from Everglades National Park including an updated world key. The Lichenologist 46(1): 83–93.