Lichens are among the
most remarkable and successful forms of mutualistic symbiosis known. Lichens
are associations of fungi and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria that
develop a vegetative body unique to the symbiosis and not observed in the
isolated symbiotic partners. Lichenization is a major nutritional mode in the
Kingdom Fungi, with approximately 20% of described fungi forming lichens,
including approximately half of the phylum Ascomycota. Many other major
groups of fungi associate specifically with lichens. Recent research is
beginning to shed new light on the origins and diversity of these fascinating
organisms, including the mechanisms of symbiont recognition, degree of
specificity, and reasons why lichenization has evolved so commonly in some
groups and so rarely in others.
Lichen
ecology, systematics and evolution: In our lab we are presently focusing on these topics:
Basidiolichens: How has
lichenization evolved in the Basidiomycota, why is it so rare, and how does
it compare to lichenization in the Ascomycota? Details of projects and publications can be viewed
here.
Cyanolichens: How does the
evolution of lichens that associate with cyanobacteria differ from that of
lichens that associate with green algal photobionts? Details of projects and publications can be viewed
here.
Lichen chemical ecology: What is the
adaptive significance of lichen secondary metabolites, compounds unique to
the lichen symbiosis and remarkable for the variety of bioactive properties
they exhibit? Details of projects and publications can be viewed
here.
Lichenicolous fungi: Many fungi
are known to live inside or on the surface of lichens. These obligate
lichen-associated fungi are widely distributed phylogenetically among
nonlichen groups. How has the lichenicolous habit evolved in fungi? What is
their mode of nutrition? Details of projects and publications can be viewed
here.
LICHENICOLOUS.NET
is an online worldwide checklist of lichenicolous fungi, including all described
species and links to all isolated cultures and sequences.
Lichen floristics in Washington, D.C.
area:
For the past several decades we have also conducted basic lichen floristic
studies locally, most of which were designed to monitor regional air quality.
The most recent of these studies was conducted for the National Park Service. Objectives,
methods and results of this study can be viewed here, as well as references
to previous studies and publications.
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