The co-dispersal strategy of Endocarpon (Verrucariaceae) shapes an unusual lichen population structure.

ABSTRACT: The reproduction and dispersal strategies of lichens play a major role in shaping their population structure and photobiont diversity. Sexual reproduction, which is common, leads to high lichen genetic diversity and low photobiont selectivity. However, the lichen genus Endocarpon adopts a special co-dispersal model in which algal cells from the photobiont and ascospores from the mycobiont are released together into the environment. To explore the dispersal strategy impact on population structures, a total of 62 Endocarpon individuals and 12 related Verrucariaceae genera individuals, representing co-dispersal strategy and conventional independent dispersal mode were studied. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Endocarpon, with a large-scale geographical distribution, sh

SUBMITTER: Yang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11369309 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature