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. Approximately 20% of the described fungi form lichens,
most of them (approximately 14,000 spp.) members of the Ascomycota. Fewer than 1% are members of the Basidiomycota, but
basidiolichens have apparently evolved many times and formed many different
kinds of lichen symbioses.
In our lab we are investigating a few of the many interesting topics in
lichen ecology and evolution, focusing on these:
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.
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