Message - 7th IAL Symposium

Lichen: from genome to ecosystem in a changing world
3I-O
(3I-02) Submission ID: IAL0288-00001
IDENTIFICATION OF LICHEN COMPOUNDS USING LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
Fankhauser J. D. 1 , Elix J. A. 2 , Schmitt I. 3 , Lumbsch H. T. 4
1 Plant Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, United States
2 Australian National University, Department of Chemistry, Canberra, Act, Australia
3 Adaptation and Climate, Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre BiK-F, Franfurt, Germany
4 Botany, The Field Museum, Chicago, Il, United States
The utility of identifying lichen compounds is undeniable; whether for broad taxonomic studies or the
description of new lichen species. While TLC is the most widely applied method of detection there are obvious
shortcomings inherent to the method. The use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography is becoming the preferred
method of lichen compound identification. We have developed a library of over 1,000 lichen compounds
using herbarium material and authentic purified substances. Although not yet mainstream in many lichenologists’
laboratories the use of Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry provides
additional information is an exciting way to explore lichen chemistry. Using accurate mass measurements and
statistical methods it is possible to not only identify known compounds and test their relevance to a particular
taxonomic conjecture, but also to quickly identify potentially unfamiliar lichen specific secondary metabolites.
(3I-03) Submission ID: IAL0153-00001
SNAILS AVOID THE MEDULLA OF LOBARIA PULMONARIA AND L. SCROBICULATA
DUE TO PRESENCE OF SECONDARY COMPOUNDS
Asplund J. 1,2
1 Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
2 Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
Lichens are frequently grazed by various invertebrates, such as snails and slugs. However, these
gastropods discriminate between the various layers of the lichen thallus. Likewise, carbon based secondary
compounds (CBSCs), some of which are known to deter lichenivores, are unevenly distributed between the
various layers. In this study, the degree of rejection of medullary CBSCs by gastropods is investigated. The snail
Cochlodina laminata was offered the lichens Lobaria pulmonaria and L. scrobiculata with and without CBSCs.
The secondary compounds were removed by rinsing dry thalli in acetone. The snails completely avoided the
medulla of thalli with natural levels of CBSCs. However, they grazed through all layers perpendicularly after
these compounds had been removed. Hence, the medullary compounds restrict feeding by gastropods to the
cortical and sometimes also the photobiont layer.
40