High Host Preferences in Epiphytic Lichens Across Diverse Phorophyte Species in the Mediterranean Region.

ABSTRACT: Contrary to the assumption that epiphytic lichens, which obtain water and nutrients from the atmosphere, do not exhibit host species preference, this notion is challenged by the limited number of studies that cover a wide geographical range and diverse phorophyte species (hereafter referred to as "host species"). To investigate this assumption, we evaluated the host preference of 709 epiphytic lichen species across the Mediterranean basin, examining 72 host species. The research is based on field studies conducted by the authors, supplemented with bibliographic records to expand the study area and the number of host species. We define "host preference" as the association of an epiphytic lichen species with a single host species. Our findings reveal a high prevalence of lichens exhibiting h

SUBMITTER: Aragon G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11855953 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature