Genetic diversity of algal and fungal partners in four species of Umbilicaria (lichenized ascomycetes) along a transect of the Antarctic Peninsula

Romeike, J.; Friedl, T.; Helms, G.; Ott, Sieglinde. 2002 Genetic diversity of algal and fungal partners in four species of Umbilicaria (lichenized ascomycetes) along a transect of the Antarctic Peninsula. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 19 (8). 1209-1217.

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Abstract/Summary

Lichens from the genus Umbilicaria were collected across a 5,000-km transect through Antarctica and investigated for DNA sequence polymorphism in a region of 480–660 bp of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. Sequences from both fungal (16 ascomycetes) and photosynthetic partners (22 chlorophytes from the genus Trebouxia) were determined and compared with homologs from lichens inhabiting more temperate, continental climates. The phylogenetic analyses reveal that Antarctic lichens have colonized their current habitats both through multiple independent colonization events from temperate embarkation zones and through recent longrange dispersal in the Antarctic of successful preexisting colonizers. Furthermore, the results suggest that relichenization— de novo establishment of the fungus-photosynthesizer symbiosis from nonlichenized algal and fungal cells—has occurred during the process of Antarctic lichen dispersal. Independent dispersal of algal and fungal cultures therefore can lead to a successful establishment of the lichen symbiosis even under harsh Antarctic conidtions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Other
ISSN:	0737-4038
Additional Keywords:	Antarctica, genetic diversity, selectivity, lichen, photobiont, mycobiont
NORA Subject Terms:	Botany
Date made live:	22 Mar 2012 11:09 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17415

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