Comparative study of structural and ecophysiological features of lichens of different ecological groups in rocky forest communities of northernmost boreal zone (Karelia, Russia)

Abstract

The anatomical (thickness of layers of fungal and algal symbionts) and ecophysiological parameters (the content of photosynthetic pigments) of two lichen species (Hypogymnia physodes and Umbilicaria hyperborea) from rocky forest communities of northernmost boreal zone (North-West of Russia) were studied. H. physodes is a lichen with foliose thallus morphology and circumpolar distribution which colonizes almost every substrate. U. hyperborea is strictly epilithic lichen with umbilicate type of thallus morphology and arcto-alpine distribution. Despite the fact that the photobiont in two species are closely related taxa (unicellular green algae of the genus Trebouxia) a high variability of photosynthetic pigments content in H. physodes thalli has been revealed, whereas in U. hyperborea, the mycobiotic showed high structural variability. It can be concluded that both mycobiont and photobiont contribute to their adaptation to environmental factors. In the present study it was obtained that the proportion of variation in anatomical structures and the content of photosynthetic pigments probably less depends on taxonomic position of photobiont and more determined by the plasticity of the individual components of the symbiotrophic organism.

Epilithic Microalgae Isolated from Biofilm on Borobudur Temple Stone

“…Reduction in chlorophyll and phycocyanin, as well as increased carotenoids under low nitrogen conditions, can cause the epilithic microalgae to turn yellow-brown. Colored patinas and incrustations because of epilithic microalgae cause aesthetic damage to the temple building (Wynn-Williams et al, 2002;Mayer, Dubinsky, & Iluz, 2016;Sonina et al, 2018).…”

Importance of the Time Elapsed from Exposure to Acute Salt Stress to the Occurrence of Rainfall for Regeneration of Photosynthetic Efficiency of Chloro- and Cyanolichens

“…Highly species-specific reactions could be explained by differences in thallus anatomy and morphology, such as properties of the cortical layer and the production of various compounds, for example, secondary metabolites (Shukla et al, 2014;Bartak et al, 2015). The anatomical structure and contents of photosynthetic pigments could differ between lichens from various ecological groups or biomorphs and could be associated with adaptations to specific environmental conditions (Sonina et al, 2018). Another reason could be associated with the effectiveness of protective mechanisms induced by thallus dehydration and osmotic stress by particular species.…”