High intraspecific genetic and morphological variation in the pioneer lichen Cladonia rei colonising slag dumps

Abstract

This study investigates the genetic and morphological variability of the lichen Cladonia rei inhabiting strongly contaminated postsmelting slag dumps in southern Poland. Altogether, 27 C. rei samples were analysed, including 17 from a single population in one dump. The phylogenetic analysis includes samples of C. rei, outgroup species, and external sequences of Cladonia section representatives from GenBank. Comparative analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences revealed the presence of 19 C. rei haplotypes overall, including several of the most frequent, of which 11 are represented by single individuals only. As many as 12 haplotypes were recorded within a single population. Three strongly supported monophyletic clades comprised of specimens from different geographical regions were recovered. Morphometric analysis showed great phenotypic variability within particular clades. Apart from a full range of previously known morphological forms of the species, an additional specific morphotype was recognised in the dumps; however, its representatives do not create a monophyletic group. High genetic variability within a single population suggests that C. rei has a great potential for colonising anthropogenic habitats. This attribute emphasises the role of this lichen as an essential pioneer in the early stages of natural regeneration of such sites.

Oribatid communities and heavy metal bioaccumulation in selected species associated with lichens in a heavily contaminated habitat

“…All of the Cladonia species considered in this study are fruticose; however, they apparently differ in micromophological structure. Cladonia rei demonstrates great variability in the growth forms of its podetia, which are richly covered with various propagules, such as corticated granules, squamules and microsquamules as well as numerous non-corticated, farinose-to-granular soredia (see Dolnik et al 2010 ; Osyczka et al 2014 ). Therefore, Cladonia rei has a greater surface area/volume ratio in comparison to other studied Cladonia species.…”

“…The last-mentioned species is generally characterised by long and contorted podetia with partially corticated surfaces densely covered by farinose to granular soredia and squamules which develop to various degrees. Some individuals of Cladonia rei are referred to a specific ‘robust/squat’ morphotype of this species described from slag dumps (Osyczka et al 2014 ).…”

Genomic insights into the mitochondria of 11 eastern North American species ofCladonia

“…Despite widespread occurrence and exceptional morphological and ecological variation among species of Cladonia (Osyczka et al 2014;Pino-Bodas et al 2015), relatively few genetic resources have been developed for the genus (e.g. Cladonia grayi; Joneson et al 2011).…”

The use of lichens in post-smelting dumps reclamation – preliminary results of experimental cultivation of selected species on slag substrate

“…All of them are common in Poland and have a high ability to vegetative reproduction enabling efficient propagation. The first three species have special ability to grow in highly contaminated habitats [14][15][16] and thus are considered as successful and rapid colonisers of highly disturbed habitats [8,11]. They constitute the major component of specific cryptogamic assemblages on post-smelting dumps in Poland [12] (Fig.…”