Photobiont selectivity leads to ecological tolerance and evolutionary divergence in a polymorphic complex of lichenized fungi.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The integrity and evolution of lichen symbioses depend on a fine-tuned combination of algal and fungal genotypes. Geographically widespread species complexes of lichenized fungi can occur in habitats with slightly varying ecological conditions, and it remains unclear how this variation correlates with symbiont selectivity patterns in lichens. In an attempt to address this question, >300 samples were taken of the globally distributed and ecologically variable lichen-forming species complex Tephromela atra, together with closely allied species, in order to study genetic diversity and the selectivity patterns of their photobionts.

Methods

Lichen thalli of T. atra and of closely related species T. grumosa, T. nashii and T. atrocaesia were collected from six c

SUBMITTER: Muggia L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4204673 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature