Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
An Exception to the Rule? Could Photobiont Identity Be a Better Predictor of Lichen Phenotype than Mycobiont Identity?
| Content Provider | MDPI |
|---|---|
| Author | Jana, Steinová Alica, Košuthová Pavel, Škaloud Holien, Håkon |
| Copyright Year | 2022 |
| Description | With rare exceptions, the shape and appearance of lichen thalli are determined by the fungal partner; thus, mycobiont identity is normally used for lichen identification. However, it has repeatedly been shown in recent decades that phenotypic data often does not correspond with fungal gene evolution. Here, we report such a case in a three-species complex of red-fruited Cladonia lichens, two of which clearly differ morphologically, chemically, ecologically and in distribution range. We analysed 64 specimens of C. bellidiflora, C. polydactyla and C. umbricola, mainly collected in Europe, using five variable mycobiont-specific and two photobiont-specific molecular markers. All mycobiont markers exhibited very low variability and failed to separate the species. In comparison, photobiont identity corresponded better with lichen phenotype and separated esorediate C. bellidiflora from the two sorediate taxa. These results can be interpreted either as an unusual case of lichen photomorphs or as an example of recent speciation, in which phenotypic differentiation precedes the separation of the molecular markers. We hypothesise that association with different photobionts, which is probably related to habitat differentiation, may have triggered speciation in the mycobiont species. |
| Starting Page | 275 |
| e-ISSN | 2309608X |
| DOI | 10.3390/jof8030275 |
| Journal | Journal of Fungi |
| Issue Number | 3 |
| Volume Number | 8 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Publisher Date | 2022-03-09 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Journal of Fungi Microbiology Asterochloris Barcoding Cladonia Lichens Speciation Species Delimitation |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
