Message - 7th IAL Symposium

3B-2-P
Lichen: from genome to ecosystem in a changing world
(3B-2-P2) Submission ID: IAL0057-00005
LICHENS AND STONE SURFACE DECAY OF THE TOMB OF CYRUS IN PASARGADAE (FARS
PROVINCE, IRAN)
Sohrabi M. 1 , Mohammadi P. 2
1 Botanical Museum, Department of Mycology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
2 Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
The cultural heritage of Iran comprises of a large number of historical stonework, including decorative
and monumental art, dating back from pre-Islamic to contemporary eras. Many of the ancient monuments are
exposed to chemical, physical and biological agents, which cause their degradation gradually. One of the most
important monuments is Pasargadae (a city in ancient Persia) and the tomb of Cyrus the Great (559-530 BC),
which is the second largest archaeological site in Iran after the imperial palace complex of Persepolis. Today,
Pasargadae and the Tomb of Cyrus are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The grave which is built of
large pieces of calcareous rock is located in an open, sun-exposed area. The exposed rock faces of the tomb are
colonized by different species of lichenized and non-lichenized fungi, as well as of a few mosses and green algal
species. In 2005, most of the growing lichens on the grave were photographed and a relatively small number of
lichen samples (ca. 20) were collected for identification in the laboratory. In this study more than 10 species of
lichens were found to grow on the grave. The interesting lichenized fungi are Acarospora cervina A. Massal., A.
laqueata Stizenb., Anaptychia desertorum (Rupr) Poelt, Caloplaca biatorina (A.Massal.) J. Steiner, C. decipiens
(Arnold) Blomb. & Forssell, C. erodens Tretiach, Pinna & Grube, Candelariella cf. vitellina (Hoffm.) Müll. Arg.,
Lecanora crenulata Hook, and some other poorly developed thalli of Acarospora sp., Aspicilia sp., Lecanora
sp., Rinodina sp., and Verrucaria sp. were also detected. The climate of the study area is suitable for xerophilic
lichens and fungi, therefore the saxicolous lichens with crustose growth forms are dominant on the rock surfaces
of the tomb.
(3B-2-P3) Submission ID: IAL0057-00010
LICHENS AROUND THE TANGIVAR STONE INSCRIPTION, KURDISTAN, IRAN
Sohrabi M. 1 , Abbas Rouhollahi M. 2
1 Botanical Museum, Department of Mycology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
2 Faculty of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
Lichens play major roles in the biodeterioration of stone substrata, both physically and chemically. Their
function as biological agents in soil development is indisputable. They are capable of damaging stone inscriptions
within a relatively short time-scale. Some important ancient rock drawings and stone inscriptions in Iran are
located in natural environments (often in the mountains). Many of them were colonized by several lichen species
which are aggressive damaging the monuments. One of the recently observed monuments is the Tangivar stone
inscription which is located in (Kurdistan, 50 km SE of Sanandaj, 10 km S of Palangan, Tangivar, with altitude
1,200 m, and GPS information: 35° 0’ 14” North, 46° 37’ 34” East). The Tangivar monument is positioned on a
high cliff c. 30 m. above the ground surface. To avoid damaging monuments the collecting of lichen specimens
was prohibited by the local authorities. Therefore, the most common species growing around the monuments
were observed and c. 20 specimens were collected from rocks surrounding the monuments where it is permitted.
Our results show that several species that may cause grave damage to the monument, including Acarospora
interrupta, A. laqueata, A. cervina, A. aspera s.l., Caloplaca decipiens, Lobothallia praeradiosa, Placocarpus
schaereri, and Polysporina urceolata. Some of the critical specimens that need further study are A. aff. farinosa,
Aspicilia cf syriaca, Caloplaca cf. biatorina, Candelariella sp., Lecanora gr. muralis, Thallinocarpon sp., and Placidium
sp. Some color photographs of these species are presented on the MYCO-LICH website (www.myco-lich.
com).
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