The application of haplotypes instead of species-level ranks modifies the interpretation of ecological preferences in lichen symbiont interactions in Parmelia.

ABSTRACT: The analysis of the interaction between main bionts (mycobiont and photobiont) in the lichen symbiosis delivers substantial information about their preferences in the selection of symbiotic partners, and their ecological preferences. The selectivity in the Parmelia genus has been defined as strong so far. However, data on this lichen genus, which includes several widely distributed species, are biogeographically limited. Therefore, using specialization indicators and extended sampling, in this study, we estimated the interactions between the main bionts of selected Parmelia spp., using two levels of estimation (species/OTU and haplotype). A comparison of mycobiont-photobiont interactions at different levels showed that considering only mycobiont species and Trebouxia OTUs, greater speciali

SUBMITTER: Ossowska EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11344855 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature