Message - 7th IAL Symposium
Message - 7th IAL Symposium
Message - 7th IAL Symposium
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Lichen: from genome to ecosystem in a changing world<br />
2B-P<br />
(2B-P5) Submission ID: <strong>IAL</strong>0315-00001<br />
BIODIVERSITY OF LICHENS IN EASTERN GHATS OF SOUTHERN INDIA<br />
Ponnusamy P. 1 , Ganesan A. 1<br />
1 Biotechnology, K.S.R. College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India<br />
The Eastern Ghats of southern India constitute an important biogeographic area of about 75,000 square<br />
kilometers through a chain of fragmented and distinct hill ranges. The forests in Eastern Ghats are more affected<br />
by human influence, since they experience heavy pressure on all sides, compared to Western Ghats and Himalayas.<br />
Present study deals with the distribution of lichens and environmental factors which are responsible<br />
for the growth of lichens in Yercaud hills of Eastern Ghats. Lichen distribution was noticed at 20-35 feet away<br />
from the roadsides and these were very much less at the edges of the Yercaud hills and even absent in urban<br />
areas. Yercaud hills contain (i) evergreen forest, (ii) semi evergreen forest, (iii) riparian forest and (iv) dry mixed<br />
deciduous forests at different locations. The results showed that lichens of both fruticose and crustose is very<br />
widespread and density is also high at moderate attitude areas. On the other hand, foliose species were found<br />
to be abundant in the higher altitude areas. The prevalence of many species was gradually increased towards<br />
the center of the Yercaud hills due to increased altitude level with low temperature and high relative humidity<br />
(RH). A total of 28 species belonging to 4 genera were recorded. Rainfall and maximum RH factors are positively<br />
correlated to the number of lichens whereas low temperature and maximum sunshine hours are negatively<br />
correlated. Environmental factors were correlated with lichen growth and development. Further attempts were<br />
made to correlate the existence of lichens with tree bark samples with reference to pH. The results revealed that<br />
lichen could survive well in the pH ranging from 4.4 to 5.8. pH is also one of the essential factors responsible for<br />
existence of lichens on substrata for attachment of mycobionts. Even the toxic gases were tolerated efficiently<br />
by lichen communities at pH range of 4.0 to 5.5. Existence of lichens on non-living substrata showed the most<br />
colonies observed on brick wall (36.7) followed by rock (31.3) and least in soil (13.0).<br />
(2B-P6) Submission ID: <strong>IAL</strong>0078-00001<br />
ASSOCIATION OF ENDOLICHENIC FUNGI WITH SOME MACROLICHENS<br />
IN CENTRAL WESTERN GHATS OF KARNATAKA, INDIA<br />
Krishnamurthy Y. 1<br />
1 Applied Botany, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Karnataka, India<br />
There are several studies on endophytic microorganisms of higher plants. Very few studies were carried<br />
out on the isolation of endolichenic fungi from the lichen thallus. This study examined some lichen species<br />
for isolation of endolichenic fungi from the internal parts to know association of endolichenic fungi within thalli<br />
of macrolichens which are commonly occur in central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India. A total of eleven lichen<br />
specimens were collected from trees of different habitats. Apparently healthy looking lichen thalli were collected<br />
in paper bags, were brought to the laboratory and isolated and identified with standard protocols. A total of 30<br />
different endolichenic fungal species were recovered from 11 species of lichens. Twenty four species of fungi<br />
have produced fructifications in culture and have been identified to genus or species level and rest were sterile<br />
form. Higher colonization rate (59.5%-100%) of endolichenic fungi was observed among eleven lichen species in<br />
this study. Higher colonization rate was observed in Parmotrema tinctorum and Ramalina pacifica and moderate<br />
in Cladonia fruticulosa. Among 24 detected species most of them were belonging to Ascomycotina and all other<br />
isolates categorized as Mycelia sterilia. The present study revealed that the endolichenic fungi like Chaetomium,<br />
Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Phoma and Xylaria spp. were frequently isolated from lichen thalli. The<br />
endolichenic fungi assist in lichen formation and growth and act as antagonistically against insect herbivores.<br />
Some endolichenic fungi can also produce bioactive substance inside lichen thalli.<br />
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