Abstract Detail

Mycological Section

Fontaine, Kyle [1], Beck, Andreas [2], Stocker-Worgotter, Elfie [3], Piercey-Normore, Michele D. [4].

Photobiont relationships with Dermatocarpon luridum var. luridum and related Dermatocarpon species.

A small number of lichenized ascomycetes occupy aquatic environments. Dermatocarpon luridum var. luridum and other aquatic species growalong the edge of lakes, rivers and streams, and are subject to similar abiotic conditions as terrestrial lichenized ascomycetes. However, aquatic lichens are further subjected to the biotic and abiotic conditions of the waters with which they are closely associated. Research on the photobiont(s) associated with aquatic and terrestrial Dermatocarpon species will shed light on the biology of D.luridum var. luridum in these dynamic habitats. The focus of our study is: 1) to determine the species of photobiont(s) that associate with D. luridum and determine the algal sharing potential between different species of Dermatocarpon; and 2) to determine the phylogenetic placement/relationship of Canadian and Austrian Dermatocarpon luridum var. luridum along with two additional aquatic species: D. luridum var. decipiens and D. arnoldianum. Specimens were collected from four lakes in Northwestern Manitoba, Canada and two streams andone mountain stream in Austria. Three Canadian and four Austrian thalli of D. luridum var. luridum were selected for algal cultureing. The nuclear ITS rDNA gene of the fungal partner along with the algal ITS rDNA and Actin genes were sequenced to confirm identity and for use in phylogenetic analyses to assess algal sharing. Preliminary results reveal that morphological and molecular investigations complement each other in identification of the photobiont as Diplospaera chodatii. However, evidence suggests that D. luridum var. luridum associates with more than one photobiont species simultaneously. The phylogenetic relationship of Canadian and Austrian D. luridum var. luridum, reveal that ITS sequences are identical despite the vast geographic distance. Phylogenetic placement of D. luridum var. decipiens and D. arnoldianum suggest re-examination of the species status. This study concludes that additional photobiont culture experiments be conducted for D. luridum var. luridum to address the potential of multiple photobiont association within thalli. The potential for photobiont sharing and utilization of multiple photobiont species suggests increased adaptive potential along the margins of lakes and streams.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus), Biological Sciences, 509 Buller Bldg , Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
2 - Botanische Staatssammlung München, Menzinger Strasse 67, Room 233, München, N/A, D-80638, Germany
3 - Universität Salzburg, Fachbereich Organismische Biologie, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, Salzburg, A-5020, Austria
4 - University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus), Biological Sciences, 509 Buller Bldg., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

Keywords:
Dermatocarpon luridum
Photobiont
Diplosphaera
Culturing
Morphological
Phylogenetic analyses
molecular.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PMY006
Abstract ID:733