The Fascinating World of Lichens
Have you ever come across a mysterious organism that looks like a cross between a fungus and a plant? If so, you may have stumbled upon a lichen.
Lichens are a unique type of composite organism that form a mutualistic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic partners, such as algae or cyanobacteria. In this article, we will explore the different types of lichens and their characteristics.
Types of Lichens
Lichens can be divided into two main groups based on the type of fungi that form their mutualistic relationship:
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens.
Ascolichens
Ascolichens form a mutualistic relationship between ascomycetes and their photosynthetic partners, which can be either algae or cyanobacteria. The fungal partner provides protection, moisture, and nutrients, while the photosynthetic partner produces food through photosynthesis.
Ascolichens are often found growing on rocks, bark, or soil. One example of an Ascolichen is Parmelia.
Parmelia has a leafy appearance and can grow up to eight inches wide. It has flattened lobes with small, cup-shaped structures called apothecia that contain the ascomycete spores.
Another type of Ascolichen is Perithecia which has a flask-shaped fruiting body called a perithecium, which contains the ascomycete spores.
Basidiolichens
Basidiolichens form a mutualistic relationship between basidiomycetes and their photosynthetic partners, which can be either algae or cyanobacteria. The role of the fungal partner is the same as in
Ascolichens, while the photosynthetic partner produces food through photosynthesis.
Basidiolichens are often found growing on rocks, wood, or soil. One example of a Basidiolichen is Dictyonema.
Dictyonema has a shrub-like appearance and can grow up to 10 inches tall. It has a hollow, white stem with fringed branches that resemble coral.
Another type of Basidiolichen is Corella, which has a crust-like appearance that grows on rocks or bark.
Characteristics of Lichens
Now that we’ve explored the different types of lichens let’s take a closer look at their characteristics.
Definition of Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms that form a mutualistic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic partners, such as algae or cyanobacteria. This unique relationship allows lichens to thrive in harsh environments that may be inhospitable to other organisms.
Properties of Lichens
Lichens come in a variety of colors, sizes, and forms. They can range in color from grey, green, yellow, orange, brown, or even black.
Some lichens have a crust-like appearance, while others have a leafy or shrub-like appearance. Due to their unique appearance, lichens are sometimes mistaken for plants; however, they do not have roots, stems, or leaves.
Lichens are also important indicators of environmental health. As they are sensitive to changes in air quality, they can be used to assess air pollution levels.
Additionally, lichens are an important food source for wildlife, including reindeer, caribou, and muskoxen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, lichens are fascinating organisms that form a mutualistic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic partners. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and forms and are important indicators of environmental health.
So, the next time you come across a strange-looking organism, take a closer look – it could be a lichen!
Distribution of Lichens
Lichens have a global occurrence and can be found on almost every land surface, including rocks, soil, tree bark, and even man-made structures. It is estimated that lichens cover between 6-8% of the Earth’s land surface, with over 20,000 known species.
Lichens are a particularly important organism in environments that are harsh and nutrient-poor, such as deserts and tundra. One of the interesting characteristics of lichen distribution is their concentration in temperate regions.
While lichens can be found in all regions of the world, the majority of species are concentrated in temperate regions. Temperate regions have a moderate climate with ample moisture, which provides favorable conditions for lichen growth.
In addition to their ecological importance, lichens also play an important role in traditional medicine and are used for food, dyes, and perfumes.
Similarities between Ascolichen and Basidiolichen
Both
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens are two types of lichen that form a mutualistic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic partners, and they share some general similarities.
General Similarities
Both
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens are types of lichens classified by Johann Zahlbruckner as part of his “lichen systematics.” Zahlbruckner was an Austrian botanist, who contributed greatly to the study of lichens.
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens can reproduce both sexually and asexually.
In sexual reproduction, spores produced by the fungi form new lichens, while in asexual reproduction, fragments of the lichen can detach and grow new lichens.
Both
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens can be found in temperate regions; however,
Ascolichens are more common.
Ascolichens are the most abundant type of lichen and are estimated to account for about 90% of all lichen species.
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens play important roles in the ecosystem as food and habitat for a variety of species.
Ascolichen has a range of colors like yellow, blue or green and usually has leaf forms. The ascomycete spores are held in apothecia or perithecia and are generally emitted during rain or periods of high humidity.
Basidiolichen, on the other hand, has clustered small coral-like structures called coralloids. The basidiomycete spores are usually released through a small hole in the cap-like structure on top of the coralloids.
The range of colors of Basidiolichen is usually gray, brown, or white. Lichens are composite organisms that have a fascinating biology and occupy important ecological niches in the world’s ecosystems.
From their distribution to their general similarities, there is still so much to learn about lichens. Nonetheless, we can appreciate the important roles they play in the environment, and the unique beauty they bring to the natural world.
Differences between Ascolichen and Basidiolichen
While
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens share general similarities, there are distinct differences between the two types of lichen. One of the most significant differences between
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens is their fungal partner.
Fungal Partner
The fungal partner in
Ascolichens is an ascomycete, while in
Basidiolichens, it is a basidiomycete. Ascomycetes are a type of fungi that produce their spores in sacs called asci.
Asci are typically produced in fruiting bodies called apothecia or perithecia. Basidiomycetes are a type of fungi that produce spores on structures called basidia.
Basidia are located in fruiting bodies called basidiocarps, which are usually mushroom-like. The architecture of the basidiocarp is what gives
Basidiolichens their characteristic coralloid appearance.
Commonality
While both
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens can be found on almost every land surface, there is a difference in their abundance.
Ascolichens are more common and account for about 90% of all lichen species.
They are found worldwide in a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, and tundra.
Basidiolichens, on the other hand, are less common and account for only about 10% of all lichen species. They are typically found in habitats that are moist and cool, such as coastal forests and mountain regions.
The rarity of
Basidiolichens makes them particularly interesting to study. Another difference between
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens is their preferred substrate.
Ascolichens are commonly found growing on rocks, soil, and tree bark. In contrast,
Basidiolichens are usually found growing on wood, particularly on dead or decaying wood.
In terms of morphology, there are also differences between the two types of lichen.
Ascolichens typically have a leafy or shrubby appearance, while
Basidiolichens have a more coral-like appearance.
Ascolichens can range in color from green to yellow to brown, while
Basidiolichens are typically white or brown. Ecologically,
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens also have differences.
Ascolichens tend to be more tolerant of stressful environmental conditions, such as drought, high temperatures, and air pollution.
Basidiolichens, on the other hand, are more sensitive to environmental changes and are therefore good indicators of ecosystem health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens share general similarities, such as their mutualistic relationship between fungi and photosynthetic partners, there are distinct differences between the two types of lichen. These differences include their fungal partner, their abundance, preferred substrate, morphology, and ecological role.
By understanding the differences between
Ascolichens and
Basidiolichens, researchers can gain a better understanding of the unique biology of lichens and their important roles in our ecosystems.