Crustaceous lichens sensitive monitor of caesium-137 radiation level in terrestrial environment

The activity of caesium-137 （Bq/kg） in the crustaceous lichens and other samples was determined to prove the feasibility that crustaceous lichens work as a sensitive biology monitor to record the caesium-137 （Bq/kg） radiation levels of terrestrial environment. The measurements were performed with GEM series HPGe （ high-purity Germanium） coaxial detector system （ADCAM -100 ） made by EC ＆ GORTEC Company in USA. It was found that the activity of caesium-137 （Bq/kg） in the crustaceous lichens was one order of magnitude higher than that found in surface soil, and was over throe orders of magnitude higher than those found in the familiar biological samples. These results proved that crustaceous lichens may be one of the most sensitive biological monitors about the remote transmission and environmental radiation levels of caesium-137.

The affect and importance of the Lichens in the Arid zone conservation and protection of water resource

Desertification has already become the global social problem. On the Arid zone it has closer relation with the frail ecotope. The system of the arid zone mountain belongs to crisscross between the farming ,forestry and husbandry . The frailty of the ecosystem manifests on the internal frailty, depends on the plant ,intensity of the contradictory between the landscape transitional and natural reservation area,physical weathering strong,the development of the soil surface is slowly but the erode of the rain ,soil erosion very grave. Lichens not only rein force the intensity and depth of the weathering of rocks and formation ,accelerate of the mineral weathering making and accumulating the organic compound, at the same time lichens have strongly water protection abilities and inestimable role in the prevent soil erosion. In this paper we were according to on-the-spot investigation and analysis of the laboratory from 1985 to now on the middle and west of the Mt . Tianshan and Mt. Altay kanas where mainly probe into the significance of the protection water and conservation water resources of the Arid zone. This research works will be provide scientific basis and reference of the government for put into effect <The strategy of the development northwest area>,improving environment of the mountain region ,major construction oasis ecotope and make great efforts for protection desert ecotope.

Biotic weathering of rocks by lichens in Antarctica

Weathering process of rocks in Antarctica can be accelerated by the colonization of lichens, which dominate surface vegetation and endolithic communities respectively in the maritime Antarctic and in Antarctic cold deserts. The effects of lichens on their substrate rocks can be attributed to both physical and chemical causes. As the result of the weathering induced by lichens, the surface corrosion and exfoliation of colonized rocks occur. The mobilization of iron in the rock forming minerals and the precipitation of poorly ordered iron oxides are investigated. Furthermore, the neoformation of crystalline metal oxalates and secondary clay minerals are identified in the colonized rocks. Due to unique climatic conditions, the biotic weathering process of rocks in Antarctica somewhat differs from that of other regions of the world.

Sensitivity of Lichens to Diesel Exhaust under Laboratory Conditions

Lichen vegetation reacts very sensitively to a variety of air pollutants including increased nitrogen concentrations as well as to traffic exhaust in general, which makes lichens reliable monitoring organisms for atmospheric pollution. Recent environmental studies have shown that decreasing abundance of acidophytic lichen species and the increase of nitrophytic lichens can be explained by elevated levels of atmospheric nitric-compounds adsorbed onto nanoparticles. One major source of these atmospheric compounds amongst a wider pollution inventory is diesel exhaust—a mixture of gases and particle matter. This study aimed to shed light on the impact of diesel exhaust on the viability of six differently sensitive lichen species. Diesel exhaust particle concentrations in the laboratory experiments resembled those at a local highway during rush hour. By incubation in a closed stainless steel chamber we could exclude influences from other pollutants than diesel exhaust providing explicit data about the effects of diesel exhaust on lichens. The investigations revealed effects on the photosynthesis of the lichen photobionts and hence the lichen vitality. The conclusions of this study are that 1) the photobiont is affected stronger as the mycobiont and 2) older parts of the lichen are damaged first. Another remarkable result of this study is that 3) these lichens are regenerating to some extent during incubation-free periods—unless the organism is not damaged too much to restore photosynthetic activity. To our knowledge this is the first study evaluating the impact of diesel exhaust on lichens under laboratory conditions separate from other interfering pollutants.

Lichens of the Sirumalai hills,Eastern Ghats with one genus and six species new to India

Lichens of Sirumalai hills are reported here for the first time.Lichen biota comprised of 95 species.The genus Japewiella is reported for the first time in India and is represented by J.tavaresiana(H.Magn.)Printzen.Furthermore,the following six taxa including one variety are new to India viz.Arthonia atra(Pers.)A.Schneid.,Graphis brevicarpa M.Nakan.,Kashiw.&K.H.Moon,Micarea erratica(Körb.)Hertel,Rambold&Pietschm.,Pertusaria cicatricosa var.deficiens A.W.Archer,Elix&Streimam,Porina subargillacea Müll Arg.,and Pyxine schmidtii Vain.Brief accounts for all the new records to India are provided to facilitate their identification.Arthonia redingeri Grube and Lepraria caesiella R.C.Harris are reported for the first time from south India.Besides all above,29 species are recorded for the first time from the state of Tamil Nadu.The lichen biota of the area is primarily corticolous in habitats and dominated by crustose form.

A comparative study of manglicolous lichens and their distribution inside Bhitarkanika National Park(Odisha),India

The manglicolous lichens are a specific group of lichens which occur in association with mangrove plants.Mangrove ecosystems have limited accessibility and the lichen study in mangrove forests are less studied and reported.The present study is the first-time report on lichen diversity,their distribution and its associated host mangrove species at eight different sites within the mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park(Odisha),India.The study recorded a total of 49 lichen species which belongs to 26 genera and 14 families.The comparison of growth forms showed presence of 28 species of crustose,18 species of foliose and three species of fruticose type of lichens from the study sites.The analysis of host mangrove species showed Excoecaria agallocha as the most preferable mangrove species as it housed 38 lichen species on its surface(i.e.,45%crustose,47%foliose,and 8%fruticose).The comparison of growth forms of the total recorded lichen species from Bhitarkanika National Park,resulted 57%species crustose,37%foliose and 6%of fruticose type of lichens.The mangrove species,Avicennia officinalis and lichen of the genus Chrysothrix were found as common to all the study sites.The Jaccard similarity index study of lichen species between the study sites showed Kalibhanjadiya Island and Habelikhati as more similar in comparison of lichen species composition(i.e.,0.64).The occurrence of foliose and fruticose type of lichens showed the healthy and undisturbed mangrove forest conditions at many sites within Bhitarkanika National Park.

First report of lichens from St.Mary’s Islands,the south west coast,India

The paper presents the first ever report on lichens of St.Mary’s Island with a total of 20 species belonging to 13 genera.Two species,Pertusaria dehiscens var.sekikaica A.W.Archer&Elix and Porina howeana P.M.McCarthy are reported as new records for India.Rhizocarpon obscuratum(Ach.)A.Massal.is recorded after a gap of 52 years.

A note on the occurrence of lichens on Vainateya Godavari mangroves in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh India

During the collection of manglicolous lichens for the project work on pharmacological evaluation,three lichen species collected from a remote“Lanka”in less known Vainateya Godavari river basin in the year 2015.There is no record of any of these lichen species on the mangroves of Andhra Pradesh like Dirinaria consimilis(Stirton)D.D.Awasthi,Parmotrema tinctorum(Despr.ex Nyl.)Hale and Roccella montagnei Bel.em.D.D.Awasthi on the host is Excoecaria agallocha.Interestingly the authors find no such lichen flora even in the Coringa wild life sanctuary the second largest stretch of mangrove forests of India due to its close proximity to the port city of Kakinada.

New record of mangrove lichens from Andhra Pradesh and Orissa states of India

Two manglicolous lichen species namely,Graphis ajarekarii Patw.and C.R.Kulk on the twigs of Avicennia officinalis from Nagayalanka lighthouse of Krishna estuary,Andhra Pradesh and Ramalina leiodea(Nyl.)Nyl.on the twigs of Ceriops decandra from Bhitarkanika island of Mahanadi estuary,Orissa state are reported.Both the species are new records on the mangroves of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa states of India.

Reform of Carbonate Rock Subsurface by Crustose Lichens and Its Environmental Significance

Crustose lichens are distributed extensively in karst areas in Southern China. They can be found on the surface of carbonate rocks. Through biophysical and biochemical processes, crustose lichens reform the subsurface of carbonate rocks and in the meanwhile change their physical and chemical properties: (1) the mechanical strength decreases by 17.04° on average (up to 33.2°); (2) the chemical solution surface area increases from 28.26% to 75.36% (lichen microholes considered only); and (3) the water-holding capacity is greatly improved. Comparative field experiments between biokarst samples underneath crustose lichens and fresh rock samples with the same composition and texture show that the corrosional rate of carbonate rocks of the former is 1.264–1.643 times higher than that of the latter. Crustose lichens are considered as an activator of the surface corrosion of carbonate rocks.

Rock-weathering by lichens in Antarctic: patterns and mechanisms

Saxicolous species of lichens are able to induce and accelerate weathering of their rock substrate, and effects of lichens on substrate can be attributed to both physical and chemical causes. This paper is focused on biotic weathering actions of epilithic and endolithic species on the different rock types (sandstones and volcanogenic rocks) in Antarctica. The patterns, mechanisms, processes and neoformations of rock-weathering resulting from lichen colonization are expounded in detail. Furthermore, it is pointed out that, for a better understanding of the impacts of lichens on environments, the studies on the rate of biotic weathering and the comprehensive involvement of the lichen effects on weathering of natural rocks remain to be carried out in Antarctica.

Determination of element composition of three lichens and their distribution in King George Island, Antarctica

Cross-section slices of Usnea antarctica Du Rietz, Usnea aurantiaco-atra (Jacq.) Bory. and Cladonia sp. at upper, middle and basal positions were prepared, respectively. The element composition and relative content were determined by SEM and EDS at the surface, intermediate and inner layers in each slice, respectively. The result indicated that the composition of element is mostly same in these lichens. The relative content of Al, Si, K and Ca elements is high,and P is close at each position. The result is of benefit to study the structure and physiological characteristics of lichens, and to analyze geological environment in Antarctica.

Factors influencing small-scale distribution of 10 macrolichens in King George Island,West Antarctica

Lichens are among the main primary colonists in most terrestrial ecosystems of Antarctica, where the effects of environmental factors on spatial distribution of lichens are essential to understanding the functioning of Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems. We measured abundance of 10 frequently observed macrolichens and 15 environmental factors at a small scale （20 cm× 20 cm）, in the ice-free areas of Fildes Peninsula and Ardley Island, King George Island, West Antarctica, and assessed the effects of environmental factors on the local distribution of these lichens. Canonical correspondence analyses （CCA） show that 8 out of 15 environmental factors, belonging to 4 sets of variables, are important in spatial distribution of the 10 lichens. Variation partitioning analyses show that most of the variation in distribution of the 10 lichens is described by the spatial heterogeneity of substrate, bird influence and microclimate and topography, whereas human impact has no significant effects.

Assessment of Antifungal Activity of Some Himalayan Foliose Lichens Against Plant Pathogenic Fungi

In vitro antifungal activity of the acetone, methanol and chloroform extracts of four lichen species viz, Bulbothirx setschwanensis, Everniastrum nepalense, Heterodermia diademata, Parmelaria thomsonii were investigated against seven plant pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. roseum and Penicillium citrinum) with reference to commercially available synthetic antifungal drug Ketoconazole (positive control). Lichen secondary metabolites were extracted using Soxhlet extractor and were further recovered through gentle evaporation of solvents in rotatory evaporator. Antifungal activity was analysed employing BauerKirby disc diffusion assay. Acetone and methanol extracts of lichenized fungi were found more effective against tested plant pathogenic fungi. Principal component analysis concluded that though, Ketoconazole was effective against four of the tested plant pathogenic fungi, acetone and methanol extracts of lichens were comparatively more effective against some broad spectrum plant pathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. roseum).

Taxonomy and Ecology of the Lichens of the Ohaliksai River Basin

The article presents information about the taxonomy and ecology of lichens in the Ohaliksai River basin. According to the conducted studies, 11 families of the Lecanoromycetes class (Parmeliaceae, Lecanoraceae, Ramalinaceae, Megasporaceae, Physciaceae, Teloschistaceae, Peltigeraceae, Collemataceae, Candelariaceae, Umbilicariaceae, Physciaceae), 1 family of the Eurotiomycetes class (Verrucariaceae) and 1 family Lichinaceae of the class Lichinomycetes were identified, 18 groups and 23 species were noted as widespread. The taxonomic analysis and ecological characteristics of the identified species are presented.

Preliminary studies on the lichens growing in FEEDS campus and SB garden in Manipur,India

In our continuous effort to explore the lichens in new and interesting areas FEEDS campus and SBG garden located in Manipur,a north-eastern state of India are surveyed.The study resulted in 47 species in FEEDS campus and 80 species in SB garden respectively,while both areas shared 22 species in common.The crustose lichens were more dominant in the area represented by Graphidaceae(16 spp.)and Pyrenulaceae(15 spp.).The species composition in both the sites represented photophilic communities such as graphidaceous,physcioid and parmelioid lichens.FEEDS campus had open areas with cultivated plants where as SBG garden had semi-evergreen forest at its initial stage of succession.The study also added 55 lichen species as new distributional records to Manipur.

New and noteworthy records of lichens from Pathanamthitta district,Kerala,India

Lichen biota of Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state was thoroughly studied which resulted in 24 lichen species as new to Kerala and one species,Phaeographis nylanderi(Vain.)Zahlbr.as new to India.All the species identified are either crustose or foliose forms belonging to families Graphidaceae and Caliciaceae indicating the dominance of these groups in the study area.List of all the 25 species are provided along with their distribution.

Foliose lichens along the trails of Casaroro Falls and Pulangbato Falls in Valencia,Negros Oriental,Philippines

Lichens are abundant and highly diverse in tropical areas such as the Philippines due to its climate and geographical features.However,several regions of the country remained underexplored or unexplored and many species remained undiscovered in the country’s many unique habitats.This study determines the occurrence of foliose lichens in Casaroro Falls and Pulangbato Falls in Valencia,Negros Oriental,Philippines.The lichen morphologies were characterized using available taxonomic keys.Among the 26 lichen samples collected from the two falls,23 specimens were identified based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics.Of these,8 species were specific to Casaroro Falls and 13 species to Pulangbato Falls,with only 2 species of lichens found on both waterfalls.Interestingly,17 species are new records for the Philippines.

A revised generic classification of the jelly lichens, Collemataceae

Phylogenetic studies have shown the need for a revised circumscription of generic boundaries in the jelly lichens(Collemataceae).Using a four-marker dataset from a recently published phylogeny of Collemataceae,we tested the monophyly of ten morphologically well-characterized groups.To achieve this,we performed Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses.The monophyly of the ten morphological groups was confirmed.In order to reconcile molecular and morphological data into a formal classification,we here propose new generic delimitations in Collemataceae.Collema and Leptogium are re-circumscribed and six old generic names are resurrected to accommodate the Collema Crispum-group(Blennothallia),the Collema Tenax-group(Enchylium),the Collema Cristatum-group(Lathagrium),the Collema Occultatum-group(Rostania),the former small Leptogium species(Scytinium),and Leptogium diffractum(Pseudoleptogium).In addition,two new genera are described to accommodate Collema multipartitum(Callome)and the Collema Italicum-group(Paracollema).The presence/absence of a eucortex,which was earlier used as the cardinal character to define genera in the family,is still useful,but only in combination with other traits such as thallus habit(size),lobe size,ascospore characteristics,thallus anatomical structure,and habitat preference.A key to the genera is provided.Lectotypes are designated for Collema marginale Hoffm.,Synechoblastus nigrescens(Huds.)Trevis.,Eucollema(Cromb.)Horw.,Collema section Enchylium Ach.,Collema section Lathagrium Ach.,Collema sect.Mallotium Ach.,Collema section Scytinium Ach.,Collemodium Nyl.ex Lamy,and Homodium Nyl.ex Olivier.

High levels of endemism among Galapagos basidiolichens

This study is a re-assessment of basidiolichen diversity in the Galapagos Islands.We present a molecular phylogenetic analysis,based on 92 specimens from Galapagos,using two nuclear ribosomal DNA markers(ITS and nuLSU).We also re-examined the morphology and anatomy of all sequenced material.The molecular results confirm our previous assessment that all Galapagos basidiolichens belong to the Dictyonema clade,which in Galapagos is represented by four genera:Acantholichen,Cora,Cyphellostereum,and Dictyonema.Most species previously reported from Galapagos in these genera were at the time believed to represent widely distributed taxa.This conclusion,however,has changed with the inclusion of molecular data.Although almost the same number of species is distinguished,the phylogenetic data now suggest that all are restricted to the Galapagos Islands.Among them,six species are proposed here as new to science,namely Cora galapagoensis,Cyphellostereum unoquinoum,Dictyonema barbatum,D.darwinianum,D.ramificans,and D.subobscuratum;and four species have already been described previously,namely Acantholichen galapagoensis,Cora santacruzensis,Dictyonema pectinatum,and D.galapagoense,here recombined as Cyphellostereum galapagoense.Our analysis is set on a very broad phylogenetic framework,which includes a large number of specimens(N=826)mainly from Central and South America,and therefore strongly suggests an unusually high level of endemism previously not recognized.This analysis also shows that the closest relatives of half of the basidiolichens now found in Galapagos are from mainland Ecuador,implying that they reached the islands through the shortest route,with all species arriving on the islands through independent colonization events.