1
|
Schwob G, Almendras K, Veas-Mattheos K, Pezoa M, Orlando J. Host specialization and spatial divergence of bacteria associated with Peltigera lichens promote landscape gamma diversity. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2024; 19:57. [PMID: 39103916 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00598-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lichens are micro-ecosystems relying on diverse microorganisms for nutrient cycling, environmental adaptation, and structural support. We investigated the spatial-scale dependency of factors shaping the ecological processes that govern lichen-associated bacteria. We hypothesize that lichens function as island-like habitats hosting divergent microbiomes and promoting landscape gamma-diversity. Three microenvironments -thalli, substrates, and neighboring soils- were sampled from four geographically overlapping species of Peltigera cyanolichens, spanning three bioclimatic zones in the Chilean Patagonia, to determine how bacterial diversity, assembly processes, ecological drivers, interaction patterns, and niche breadth vary among Peltigera microenvironments on a broad geographical scale. RESULTS The hosts' phylogeny, especially that of the cyanobiont, alongside climate as a secondary factor, impose a strong ecological filtering of bacterial communities within Peltigera thalli. This results in deterministically assembled, low diverse, and phylogenetically convergent yet structurally divergent bacterial communities. Host evolutionary and geographic distances accentuate the divergence in bacterial community composition of Peltigera thalli. Compared to soil and substrate, Peltigera thalli harbor specialized and locally adapted bacterial taxa, conforming sparse and weak ecological networks. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that Petigera thalli create fragmented habitats that foster landscape bacterial gamma-diversity. This underscores the importance of preserving lichens for maintaining a potential reservoir of specialized bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Schwob
- Instituto Milenio Biodiversidad de Ecosistemas Antárticos y Subantárticos (BASE), Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile
| | - Katerin Almendras
- Instituto Milenio Biodiversidad de Ecosistemas Antárticos y Subantárticos (BASE), Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile
| | - Karla Veas-Mattheos
- Instituto Milenio Biodiversidad de Ecosistemas Antárticos y Subantárticos (BASE), Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile
| | - Matías Pezoa
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile
| | - Julieta Orlando
- Instituto Milenio Biodiversidad de Ecosistemas Antárticos y Subantárticos (BASE), Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile.
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Worthy FR, Schaefer DA, Wanasinghe D, Xu JC, Wang LS, Wang XY. Acquisition of green algal photobionts enables both chlorolichens and chloro-cyanolichens to activate photosynthesis at low humidity without liquid water. AOB PLANTS 2024; 16:plae025. [PMID: 38770101 PMCID: PMC11102867 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria require liquid water for photosynthesis, whereas green algae can photosynthesise with water vapour alone. We discovered that several Lobaria spp. which normally have cyanobacteria as the sole photobiont, in some regions of the trans-Himalayas also harboured green algae. We tested whether green algal acquisition was: limited to high elevations; obtained from neighbouring chloro-Lobaria species; enabled photosynthesis at low humidity. Lobaria spp. were collected from 2000 to 4000 m elevation. Spectrophotometry quantified green algal abundance by measuring chlorophyll b (absent in cyanobacteria). Thalli cross-sections visually confirmed green algal presence. We sequenced gene regions: Lobaria (ITS-EF-1α-RPB2), green algae (18S-RBC-L) and Nostoc (16S). Phylogenetic analysis determined myco-photobiont associations. We used a custom closed-circuit gas exchange system with an infrared gas analyser to measure CO2 exchange rates for desiccated specimens at 33%, 76%, 86% and 98% humidity. Cross-sections revealed that the photobiont layers in putative cyano-Lobaria contained both cyanobacteria and green algae, indicating that they should be considered chloro-cyanolichens. Chloro-Lobaria had no visible cephalodia nor cyanobacteria in the photobiont layer. Chloro-Lobaria and chloro-cyano-Lobaria had comparable levels of chlorophyll b. Chloro-Lobaria usually contained Symbiochloris. Chloro-cyano-Lobaria mainly associated with Parachloroidium and Nostoc; infrequently with Symbiochloris, Apatococcus, Chloroidium, Pseudochlorella, Trebouxia. Sequences from two green algal genera were obtained from within some thalli. Desiccated specimens of every Lobaria species could attain net photosynthesis with light exposure and 33% humidity. CO2 exchange dynamics over a five-day period differed between species. At all elevations, chloro-cyano-Lobaria spp. had abundant green algae in the photobiont layer, but green algal strains mostly differed to those of chloro-Lobaria spp. Both chloro-Lobaria and chloro-cyano-Lobaria were capable of conducting photosynthesis without liquid water. The data strongly suggest that they attained positive net photosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Ruth Worthy
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
- Honghe Centre for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| | - Douglas Allen Schaefer
- Honghe Centre for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| | - Dhanushka Wanasinghe
- Honghe Centre for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
- Department of Soil Science, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jian Chu Xu
- Honghe Centre for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| | - Li Song Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| | - Xin Yu Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jung P, Briegel-Williams L, Büdel B, Schultz M, Nürnberg DJ, Grube M, D’Agostino PM, Kaštovský J, Mareš J, Lorenz M, González MLG, Forno MD, Westberg M, Chrismas N, Pietrasiak N, Whelan P, Dvořák P, Košuthová A, Gkelis S, Bauersachs T, Schiefelbein U, Giao VTP, Lakatos M. The underestimated fraction: diversity, challenges and novel insights into unicellular cyanobionts of lichens. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae069. [PMID: 38966402 PMCID: PMC11222712 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Lichens are remarkable and classic examples of symbiotic organisms that have fascinated scientists for centuries. Yet, it has only been for a couple of decades that significant advances have focused on the diversity of their green algal and/or cyanobacterial photobionts. Cyanolichens, which contain cyanobacteria as their photosynthetic partner, include up to 10% of all known lichens and, as such, studies on their cyanobionts are much rarer compared to their green algal counterparts. For the unicellular cyanobionts, i.e. cyanobacteria that do not form filaments, these studies are even scarcer. Nonetheless, these currently include at least 10 different genera in the cosmopolitan lichen order Lichinales. An international consortium (International Network of CyanoBionts; INCb) will tackle this lack of knowledge. In this article, we discuss the status of current unicellular cyanobiont research, compare the taxonomic resolution of photobionts from cyanolichens with those of green algal lichens (chlorolichens), and give a roadmap of research on how to recondition the underestimated fraction of symbiotic unicellular cyanobacteria in lichens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Jung
- Integrative Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Germany
| | - Laura Briegel-Williams
- Integrative Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Germany
| | - Burkhard Büdel
- Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Matthias Schultz
- Herbarium Hamburgense, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dennis J Nürnberg
- Institute for Experimental Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin Germany
| | - Martin Grube
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Paul M D’Agostino
- Technical University Dresden, Chair of Technical Biochemistry, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Kaštovský
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mareš
- Institute of Microbiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Maike Lorenz
- University of Goettingen, SAG Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Petr Dvořák
- Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Spyros Gkelis
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thorsten Bauersachs
- Institute of Organic Biogeochemistry in Geo-Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael Lakatos
- Integrative Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Germany
| | - INCb
- International Network for research on unicellular CyanoBionts from lichens
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rodríguez‐Arribas C, Martínez I, Aragón G, Zamorano‐Elgueta C, Cavieres L, Prieto M. Specialization patterns in symbiotic associations: A community perspective over spatial scales. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10296. [PMID: 37441095 PMCID: PMC10333671 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Specialization, contextualized in a resource axis of an organism niche, is a core concept in ecology. In biotic interactions, specialization can be determined by the range of interacting partners. Evolutionary and ecological factors, in combination with the surveyed scale (spatial, temporal, biological, and/or taxonomic), influence the conception of specialization. This study aimed to assess the specialization patterns and drivers in the lichen symbiosis, considering the interaction between the principal fungus (mycobiont) and the associated Nostoc (cyanobiont), from a community perspective considering different spatial scales. Thus, we determined Nostoc phylogroup richness and composition of lichen communities in 11 Nothofagus pumilio forests across a wide latitudinal gradient in Chile. To measure specialization, cyanobiont richness, Simpson's and d' indices were estimated for 37 mycobiont species in these communities. Potential drivers that might shape Nostoc composition and specialization measures along the environmental gradient were analysed. Limitations in lichen distributional ranges due to the availability of their cyanobionts were studied. Turnover patterns of cyanobionts were identified at multiple spatial scales. The results showed that environmental factors shaped the Nostoc composition of these communities, thus limiting cyanobiont availability to establish the symbiotic association. Besides, specialization changed with the spatial scale and with the metric considered. Cyanolichens were more specialized than cephalolichens when considering partner richness and Simpson's index, whereas the d' index was mostly explained by mycobiont identity. Little evidence of lichen distributional ranges due to the distribution of their cyanobionts was found. Thus, lichens with broad distributional ranges either associated with several cyanobionts or with widely distributed cyanobionts. Comparisons between local and regional scales showed a decreasing degree of specialization at larger scales due to an increase in cyanobiont richness. The results support the context dependency of specialization and how its consideration changes with the metric and the spatial scale considered. Subsequently, we suggest considering the entire community and widening the spatial scale studied as it is crucial to understand factors determining specialization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Rodríguez‐Arribas
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Research Group of “Ecología, sistemática y evolución de hongos y líquenes (ESEFUNLICH)”, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, ESCETUniversidad Rey Juan CarlosMóstolesSpain
| | - Isabel Martínez
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Research Group of “Ecología, sistemática y evolución de hongos y líquenes (ESEFUNLICH)”, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, ESCETUniversidad Rey Juan CarlosMóstolesSpain
| | - Gregorio Aragón
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Research Group of “Ecología, sistemática y evolución de hongos y líquenes (ESEFUNLICH)”, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, ESCETUniversidad Rey Juan CarlosMóstolesSpain
| | - Carlos Zamorano‐Elgueta
- Universidad de AysénCoyhaiqueChile
- CR2‐Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)2SantiagoChile
| | - Lohengrin Cavieres
- Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y OceanográficasUniversidad de ConcepciónConcepciónChile
| | - María Prieto
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Research Group of “Ecología, sistemática y evolución de hongos y líquenes (ESEFUNLICH)”, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, ESCETUniversidad Rey Juan CarlosMóstolesSpain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
García-Breijo FJ, Molins A, Reig-Armiñana J, Barreno E. The Tripartite Lichen Ricasolia virens: Involvement of Cyanobacteria and Bacteria in Its Morphogenesis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1517. [PMID: 37375019 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ricasolia virens is an epiphytic lichen-forming fungus mainly distributed in Western Europe and Macaronesia in well-structured forests with ecological continuity that lack eutrophication. It is considered to be threatened or extinct in many territories in Europe (IUCN). Despite its biological and ecological relevance, studies on this taxon are scarce. The thalli are tripartite, and the mycobiont has a simultaneous symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria and green microalgae, which represent interesting models to analyse the strategies and adaptations resulting from the interactions of lichen symbionts. The present study was designed to contribute to a better understanding of this taxon, which has shown a clear decline over the last century. The symbionts were identified by molecular analysis. The phycobiont is Symbiochloris reticulata, and the cyanobionts (Nostoc) are embedded in internal cephalodia. Light, transmission electron and low-temperature scanning microscopy techniques were used to investigate the thallus anatomy, ultrastructure of microalgae and ontogeny of pycnidia and cephalodia. The thalli are very similar to its closest relative, Ricasolia quercizans. The cellular ultrastructure of S. reticulata by TEM is provided. Non-photosynthetic bacteria located outside the upper cortex are introduced through migratory channels into the subcortical zone by the splitting of fungal hyphae. Cephalodia were very abundant, but never as external photosymbiodemes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J García-Breijo
- Departamento de Ecosistemas Agroforestales, ETSIAMN, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 València, Spain
| | - Arantzazu Molins
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE), Botánica, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agroambientales y de Economía del Agua (INAGEA), Departamento de Biología, Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km.7., 07122 Palma de Malllorca, Spain
| | - José Reig-Armiñana
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE), Botánica, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Eva Barreno
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE), Botánica, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao F, Saleem M, Xie Z, Wei X, He T, He G. Sensitive or tolerant functional microorganisms under cadmium stress: suggesting potential specific interaction network characteristics in the rhizosphere system of karst potato. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:55932-55947. [PMID: 36913018 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) pollution in Chinese karst soils threatens food security, and microorganisms play an important role in regulating the migration and transformation of Cd in the soil-plant system. Nevertheless, the interaction characteristics between key microbial communities and environmental factors in response to Cd stress in specific crop environmental systems need to be explored. In this study, the soil (ferralsols)-microbe-crop (potato) system was taken as the object to explore the potato rhizosphere microbiome, using toxicology and molecular biology approaches, to explore the potato rhizosphere soil properties, microbial stress characteristics, and important microbial taxa under Cd stress. We hypothesized that different members of fungal and bacterial microbiome would regulate the resilience of potato rhizosphere and plants to Cd stress in the soil environment. Meanwhile, individual taxa will have different roles in the contaminated rhizosphere ecosystem. We found that soil pH was the main environmental factor affecting fungal community structure; urea-decomposing and nitrate-reducing functional bacteria as well as endosymbiotic and saprophytic functional fungi gradually decreased. In particular, Basidiomycota may play a key role in preventing the migration of Cd from the soil to plants (potato). These findings provide important candidates for screening the cascade of Cd inhibition (detoxification/regulation) from soil to microorganisms to plants. Our work provides an important foundation and research insights for the application of microbial remediation technology in the karst cadmium-contaminated farmland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fulin Zhao
- College of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Zhao Xie
- Soil and Fertilizer Station of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoliao Wei
- College of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Tengbing He
- College of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
- Institute of New Rural Development of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Guandi He
- College of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Composition, structure and robustness of Lichen guilds. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3295. [PMID: 36841885 PMCID: PMC9968342 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30357-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiosis is a major engine of evolutionary innovation underlying many extant complex organisms. Lichens are a paradigmatic example that offers a unique perspective on the role of symbiosis in ecological success and evolutionary diversification. Lichen studies have produced a wealth of information regarding the importance of symbiosis, but they frequently focus on a few species, limiting our understanding of large-scale phenomena such as guilds. Guilds are groupings of lichens that assist each other's proliferation and are intimately linked by a shared set of photobionts, constituting an extensive network of relationships. To characterize the network of lichen symbionts, we used a large data set ([Formula: see text] publications) of natural photobiont-mycobiont associations. The entire lichen network was found to be modular, but this organization does not directly match taxonomic information in the data set, prompting a reconsideration of lichen guild structure and composition. The multiscale nature of this network reveals that the major lichen guilds are better represented as clusters with several substructures rather than as monolithic communities. Heterogeneous guild structure fosters robustness, with keystone species functioning as bridges between guilds and whose extinction would endanger global stability.
Collapse
|
8
|
The Lichen Genus Sticta (Lobariaceae, Peltigerales) in East African Montane Ecosystems. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020246. [PMID: 36836360 PMCID: PMC9961217 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The lichen flora of Africa is still poorly known. In many parts of the tropics, recent studies utilizing DNA methods have revealed extraordinary diversity among various groups of lichenized fungi, including the genus Sticta. In this study, East African Sticta species and their ecology are reviewed using the genetic barcoding marker nuITS and morphological characters. The studied regions represent montane areas in Kenya and Tanzania, including the Taita Hills and Mt. Kilimanjaro, which belong to the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Altogether 14 Sticta species are confirmed from the study region, including the previously reported S. fuliginosa, S. sublimbata, S. tomentosa, and S. umbilicariiformis. Sticta andina, S. ciliata, S. duplolimbata, S. fuliginoides, and S. marginalis are reported as new to Kenya and/or Tanzania. Sticta afromontana, S. aspratilis, S. cellulosa, S. cyanocaperata, and S. munda, are described as new to science. The abundance of new diversity detected and the number of taxa represented by only few specimens show that more comprehensive sampling of the region may be needed to reveal the true diversity of Sticta in East Africa. More generally, our results highlight the need for further taxonomic studies of lichenized fungi in the region.
Collapse
|
9
|
Vančurová L, Malíček J, Steinová J, Škaloud P. Choosing the Right Life Partner: Ecological Drivers of Lichen Symbiosis. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:769304. [PMID: 34970234 PMCID: PMC8712729 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.769304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lichens are an iconic example of symbiotic systems whose ecology is shaped by the requirements of the symbionts. Previous studies suggest that fungal (mycobionts) as well as photosynthesizing (phycobionts or cyanobionts) partners have a specific range of acceptable symbionts that can be chosen according to specific environmental conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of climatic conditions and mycobiont identity on phycobiont distribution within the lichen genera Stereocaulon, Cladonia, and Lepraria. The study area comprised the Canary Islands, Madeira, Sicily, and the Aeolian Islands, spanning a wide range of climatic conditions. These islands are known for their unique and diverse fauna and flora; however, lichen phycobionts have remained unstudied in most of these areas. In total, we genetically analyzed 339 lichen samples. The phycobiont pool differed significantly from that outside the studied area. Asterochloris mediterranea was identified as the most abundant phycobiont. However, its distribution was limited by climatic constraints. Other species of Asterochloris and representatives of the genera Chloroidium, Vulcanochloris, and Myrmecia were also recovered as phycobionts. The selection of symbiotic partners from the local phycobiont pool was driven by mycobiont specificity (i.e., the taxonomic range of acceptable partners) and the environmental conditions, mainly temperature. Interestingly, the dominant fungal species responded differently in their selection of algal symbionts along the environmental gradients. Cladonia rangiformis associated with its phycobiont A. mediterranea in a broader range of temperatures than Stereocaulon azoreum, which favors other Asterochloris species along most of the temperature gradient. Stereocaulon vesuvianum associated with Chloroidium spp., which also differed in their temperature optima. Finally, we described Stereocaulon canariense as a new endemic species ecologically distinct from the other Stereocaulon species on the Canary Islands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Vančurová
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiří Malíček
- Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czechia
| | - Jana Steinová
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Škaloud
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
OUP accepted manuscript. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6522171. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|