Cyanobacterial Photobionts of Tropical Cyanolichens (IMAGE)

Botanical Society of America

Cyanobacterial Photobionts of Tropical Cyanolichens

Caption

Cyanobacterial photobionts of tropical cyanolichens of the genera Acantholichen, Coccocarpia, Dictyonema, and Stereocaulon, belong to a previously unrecognized, exclusively lichenized, novel lineage with the name Rhizonema. These photobionts are shared between unrelated lichen mycobionts co-occurring in the same habitats, leading to improved strains by means of mycobiont and environmental selection, in a similar way as farmers domesticate and improve crops.

Credit

Courtesy of Robert K. Lucking.

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.