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Osyczka P, Myśliwa-Kurdziel B. Do the expected heatwaves pose a threat to lichens?: Linkage between a passive decline in water content in thalli and response to heat stress. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024. [PMID: 38874284 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Being poikilohydric, lichens are inherently exposed to alternating desiccation and hydration cycles. They can exhibit extraordinary resistance to extreme temperatures in a dehydrated state but thermal thresholds for hydrated lichens are lower. The ability of the lichen Cetraria aculeata to recovery after high temperature treatment (40°C, 60°C) at different air humidity levels (relative humidity [RH]: <15%, 25%, 50%, 75%, ≅100%) was examined to find a linkage between passive dehydration of the lichen and its physiological resistance to heat stress. The response to heating was determined by measuring parameters related to photosynthesis and respiration after 2- and 24-h recovery. A higher RH level resulted in a slower decline in relative water content (RWC) in hydrated thalli. In turn, the stress resistance of active thalli depended on the ambient humidity and associated RWC reduction. Elevated temperature had a negative impact on bioenergetic processes, but only an unnatural state of permanent full hydration during heat stress resulted in a lethal effect. Hydrated lichen thalli heated at 40°C and 50% relative humidity (RH) tended to be least susceptible to stress-induced damage. Although atypical climatic conditions may lead lichens to lethal thresholds, the actual likelihood of deadly threat to lichens due to heat events per se is debatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Osyczka
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Beata Myśliwa-Kurdziel
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Valim HF, Grande FD, Wong ELY, Schmitt I. Circadian clock- and temperature-associated genes contribute to overall genomic differentiation along elevation in lichenized fungi. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17252. [PMID: 38146927 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Circadian regulation is linked to local environmental adaptation, and many species with broad climatic niches display variation in circadian genes. Here, we hypothesize that lichenizing fungi occupying different climate zones tune their metabolism to local environmental conditions with the help of their circadian systems. We study two species of the genus Umbilicaria occupying similar climatic niches (Mediterranean and the cold temperate) in different continents. Using homology to Neurospora crassa genes, we identify gene sets associated with circadian rhythms (11 core, 39 peripheral genes) as well as temperature response (37 genes). Nucleotide diversity of these genes is significantly correlated with mean annual temperature, minimum temperature of the coldest month and mean temperature of the coldest quarter. Furthermore, we identify altitudinal clines in allele frequencies in several non-synonymous substitutions in core clock components, for example, white collar-like, frh-like and various ccg-like genes. A dN/dS approach revealed a few significant peripheral clock- and temperature-associated genes (e.g. ras-1-like, gna-1-like) that may play a role in fine-tuning the circadian clock and temperature-response machinery. An analysis of allele frequency changes demonstrated the strongest evidence for differentiation above the genomic background in the clock-associated genes in U. pustulata. These results highlight the likely relevance of the circadian clock in environmental adaptation, particularly frost tolerance, of lichens. Whether or not the fungal clock modulates the symbiotic interaction within the lichen consortium remains to be investigated. We corroborate the finding of genetic variation in clock components along altitude-not only latitude-as has been reported in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique F Valim
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Francesco Dal Grande
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Edgar L Y Wong
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Imke Schmitt
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Bokhorst S, Bjerke JW, Phoenix GK, Jaakola L, Maehre HK, Tømmervik H. Sub-arctic mosses and lichens show idiosyncratic responses to combinations of winter heatwaves, freezing and nitrogen deposition. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2023; 175:e13882. [PMID: 36840682 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Arctic ecosystems are increasingly exposed to extreme climatic events throughout the year, which can affect species performance. Cryptogams (bryophytes and lichens) provide important ecosystem services in polar ecosystems but may be physiologically affected or killed by extreme events. Through field and laboratory manipulations, we compared physiological responses of seven dominant sub-Arctic cryptogams (three bryophytes, four lichens) to single events and factorial combinations of mid-winter heatwave (6°C for 7 days), re-freezing, snow removal and summer nitrogen addition. We aimed to identify which mosses and lichens are vulnerable to these abiotic extremes and if combinations would exacerbate physiological responses. Combinations of extremes resulted in stronger species responses but included idiosyncratic species-specific responses. Species that remained dormant during winter (March), irrespective of extremes, showed little physiological response during summer (August). However, winter physiological activity, and response to winter extremes, was not consistently associated with summer physiological impacts. Winter extremes affect cryptogam physiology, but summer responses appear mild, and lichens affect the photobiont more than the mycobiont. Accounting for Arctic cryptogam response to multiple climatic extremes in ecosystem functioning and modelling will require a better understanding of their winter eco-physiology and repair capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stef Bokhorst
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jarle W Bjerke
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gareth K Phoenix
- Plants Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Laura Jaakola
- Climate Laboratory Holt, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UIT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Ås, Norway
| | - Hanne K Maehre
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UIT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Hans Tømmervik
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, Tromsø, Norway
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Ellis CJ, Eaton S. Microclimates hold the key to spatial forest planning under climate change: Cyanolichens in temperate rainforest. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:1915-1926. [PMID: 33421251 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There is deepening interest in how microclimatic refugia can reduce species threat, if suitable climatic conditions are maintained locally, despite global climate change. Microclimates are a particularly important consideration in topographically heterogeneous landscapes, while in some habitats, such as forests and woodlands, microclimates are also extremely labile and affected by management practices that could consequently be used to offset climate change impact. This study explored a conservation priority guild-cyanolichen epiphytes in temperate rainforest-quantifying the niche response to macroclimate, and landscape or woodland stand structures that determine the microclimate. Based on epiphyte survey in a core region of European temperate rainforest (western Scotland), a 'random forest' machine-learning model confirmed a strong cyanolichen response to summer dryness, as well as the effects of distance to running water, topographic heatload and tree species identity, which modify the local moisture regime and/or lichen growth rates. By quantifying this response to macroclimate, landscape and stand structures, it was possible to estimate an extent to which woodland may be expanded in the future, to offset a negative effect of increasing summer dryness projected through to the 2080s. Using current policy as a yardstick, sufficient woodland expansion could be delivered relatively quickly for median impacted sites, but with times to woodland delivery extending over 10, 20 and 25 years for sites at the 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles of cyanolichen decline. Furthermore, the extent of new woodland required, and delivery times, increase almost threefold on average, as new woodland becomes distributed over wider riparian zones. These contrasting implications emphasize an urgent need for afforestation that achieves targeted spatial planning responsive to microclimates as refugia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sally Eaton
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Fernández-Marín B, López-Pozo M, Perera-Castro AV, Arzac MI, Sáenz-Ceniceros A, Colesie C, de los Ríos A, Sancho LG, Pintado A, Laza JM, Pérez-Ortega S, García-Plazaola JI. Symbiosis at its limits: ecophysiological consequences of lichenization in the genus Prasiola in Antarctica. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2020; 124:1211-1226. [PMID: 31549137 PMCID: PMC6943718 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcz149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lichens represent a symbiotic relationship between at least one fungal and one photosynthetic partner. The association between the lichen-forming fungus Mastodia tessellata (Verrucariaceae) and different species of Prasiola (Trebouxiophyceae) has an amphipolar distribution and represents a unique case study for the understanding of lichen symbiosis because of the macroalgal nature of the photobiont, the flexibility of the symbiotic interaction and the co-existence of free-living and lichenized forms in the same microenvironment. In this context, we aimed to (1) characterize the photosynthetic performance of co-occurring populations of free-living and lichenized Prasiola and (2) assess the effect of the symbiosis on water relations in Prasiola, including its tolerance of desiccation and its survival and performance under sub-zero temperatures. METHODS Photochemical responses to irradiance, desiccation and freezing temperature and pressure-volume curves of co-existing free-living and lichenized Prasiola thalli were measured in situ in Livingston Island (Maritime Antarctica). Analyses of photosynthetic pigment, glass transition and ice nucleation temperatures, surface hydrophobicity extent and molecular analyses were conducted in the laboratory. KEY RESULTS Free-living and lichenized forms of Prasiola were identified as two different species: P. crispa and Prasiola sp., respectively. While lichenization appears to have no effect on the photochemical performance of the alga or its tolerance of desiccation (in the short term), the symbiotic lifestyle involves (1) changes in water relations, (2) a considerable decrease in the net carbon balance and (3) enhanced freezing tolerance. CONCLUSIONS Our results support improved tolerance of sub-zero temperature as the main benefit of lichenization for the photobiont, but highlight that lichenization represents a delicate equilibrium between a mutualistic and a less reciprocal relationship. In a warmer climate scenario, the spread of the free-living Prasiola to the detriment of the lichen form would be likely, with unknown consequences for Maritime Antarctic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Fernández-Marín
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Physiology, University of La Laguna (ULL), La Laguna, Canarias, Spain
| | - Marina López-Pozo
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Alicia V Perera-Castro
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean Conditions, Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) - Instituto de Investigaciones Agroambientales y de Economía del Agua (INAGEA), Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Miren Irati Arzac
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Ana Sáenz-Ceniceros
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Claudia Colesie
- Global Change Institute, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Leo G Sancho
- Botany Section, Fac. Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Pintado
- Botany Section, Fac. Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Laza
- Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry (Labquimac), Department of Physical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | | | - José I García-Plazaola
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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Temperature effects on photosynthetic performance of Antarctic lichen Dermatocarpon polyphyllizum: a chlorophyll fluorescence study. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02464-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Post rapid freezing growth of Antarctic strain of Heterococcus sp. monitored by cell viability and chlorophyll fluorescence. Cryobiology 2018; 85:39-46. [PMID: 30292810 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The soil microalgae of the genus Heterococcus are found in cold environments and have been reported for the terrestrial ecosystems of several Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic Islands. This study focused on resistance of Heterococcus sp. to sub-zero temperature. Heterococcus sp. was isolated from soil samples from James Ross Island, Antarctica. Culture of Heterococcus sp. grown in liquid medium were used to study ribitol effects at sub-zero temperatures on the species resistance to rapid freezing (RF, immersion of a sample into liquid nitrogen) and consequent cultivation on agar. Before the experiment, Heterococcus sp. was cultured in liquid medium for 11 months and then treated in ribitol concentrations of 32 or 50 mM for 2 h. Then, 1 ml samples were frozen to -196 °C in liquid nitrogen (day 0) and inoculated on BBM agar after thawing. Number of living and dead cells was evaluated and the cell viability (Pν) was calculated repeatedly using the optical microscopy approach. The addition of ribitol caused a noticable increase in Pν on days 9, 12, 14 (with a Pν of 25-45% in ribitol-treated samples compared to 10% in the untreated control). In the following period (d 16-19), the positive effect of ribitol on Pν was less pronounced but still statistically significant. To evaluate the negative effects of RF on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the potential yield of photochemical reactions in PS II (FV/FM), and the effective quantum yield of photochemical reactions in PS II (ФPSII) were measured immediately before and after RF. Consequently, FV/FM and ФPSII of agar inoculates were measured repeatedly for 30 d cultivation in 3 d interval. Both the 32 and the 50 mM addition of ribitol caused earlier detection of the parameters (d 16) compared to the control measurements (d 23) as well as reaching the maximum values of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters earlier (d 23 in ribitol-treated samples compared to d 25 in control samples). Heterococcus sp. proved to be a species resistant to rapid freezing. The ability may help the species to survive in harsh Antarctic environments typified by rapid fluctuations in temperature that may bring a rapid freezing of the alga.
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