Phylogeny and ecology of Trebouxia photobionts from Bolivian lichens
- Author:
- Kosecka M., Kukwa M, Jabłońska A., Flakus A., Rodriguez-Flakus P., Ptach Ł. & Guzow-Krzemińska B.
- Year:
- 2022
- Journal:
- Frontiers in Microbiology
- Pages:
- 13: 779784 [21 p.]
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.779784
In the past few years, new phylogenetic lineages in Trebouxia were detected as a
result of molecular approaches. These studies included symbiont selectivity in lichen
communities, transects along altitudinal gradients at local and global scales and the
photobiont diversity in local populations of lichen-forming fungal species. In most of
these studies, phylogenetic and haplotype analyses based on the internal transcribed
spacer (ITS) locus have continuously allowed the recognition of new monophyletic
lineages, which suggests that still numerous undiscovered Trebouxia lineages can be
hidden in lichens from unexplored areas, especially in the tropics. Here, we estimated
the biodiversity of photobionts in Bolivian Andean vegetation and assessed their
specificity. About 403 lichen samples representing 42 genera, e.g., Haematomma,
Heterodermia, Hypotrachyna, Lecanora, Lepra, Leucodermia, Parmotrema, Pertusaria,
Polyblastidium, and Usnea, containing Trebouxia photobionts, were analyzed. ITS
ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and rbcL markers were used. We obtained Trebouxia sequences
from Bolivian samples belonging to already described clades A, C, I, and S. Thirtynine
Trebouxia lineages were distinguished within these clades, while 16 were new. To
reveal the structure of the community of Bolivian photobionts and their relationships
with mycobionts, the comparative effects of climate, altitude, geographical distances,
substrate, and habitat type, as well as functional traits of lichens such as growth
forms, propagation mode and secondary metabolites, were analyzed. Furthermore, new
Bolivian records were included in analysis on a global scale. In our study, the mycobiont
genus or even species are the most important factors correlated with photobiont identity.
Moreover, we revealed that the community of Bolivian photobionts is shaped by altitude.
Keywords: biodiversity, secondary metabolites, selectivity, specificity, symbiosis.
- Id:
- 34265
- Submitter:
- zdenek
- Post_time:
- Thursday, 31 March 2022 13:27