Contrasting patterns of climatic niche divergence in Trebouxia—A clade of lichen-forming algae
- Author:
- Nelsen M.P., Leavitt S.D., Heller K., Muggia L. & Lumbsch H.T.
- Year:
- 2022
- Journal:
- Frontiers in Microbiology
- Pages:
- 13: 791546 [11 p.]
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.791546
Lichen associations are overwhelmingly supported by carbon produced by
photosynthetic algal symbionts. These algae have diversified to occupy nearly all
climates and continents; however, we have a limited understanding of how their
climatic niches have evolved through time. Here we extend previous work and ask
whether phylogenetic signal in, and the evolution of, climatic niche, varies across
climatic variables, phylogenetic scales, and among algal lineages in Trebouxia—the most
common genus of lichen-forming algae. Our analyses reveal heterogeneous levels of
phylogenetic signal across variables, and that contrasting models of evolution underlie
the evolution of climatic niche divergence. Together these analyses demonstrate the
variable processes responsible for shaping climatic tolerance in Trebouxia, and provide
a framework within which to better understand potential responses to climate changeassociated
perturbations. Such predictions reveal a disturbing trend in which the pace
at which modern climate change is proceeding will vastly exceed the rate at which
Trebouxia climatic niches have previously evolved.
Keywords: climate, niche, diversification, lichen, photobiont, Trebouxia.
- Id:
- 34215
- Submitter:
- zdenek
- Post_time:
- Monday, 07 March 2022 10:46