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Biological Ice Nucleation Activity in Lichen Mycobionts and Photobionts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2007

Thomas L. Kieft  and
Vernon Ahmadjian
Thomas L. Kieft
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Campus Station, P.O. Box P, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Vernon Ahmadjian
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
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Abstract

Axenic cultures of lichen mycobionts and photobionts were assayed for biological ice nucleation activity (INA), a characteristic which has recently been discovered in some species of lichens collected from nature. Of 14 species of mycobionts, five showed nuclei active at −5°C or warmer, while none of the 13 photobionts tested had INA at that temperature. It appears that biological ice nuclei in lichens are produced primarily by the mycobiont. Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca had the greatest INA. Other lichen fungi showing warm temperature INA were Cladonia boryi, Cladonia rangiferina, Lecanora dispersa, and Pertusaria flavicans. Lichen INA may be involved in moisture uptake and/or frost protection.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Lichenologist , Volume 21 , Issue 4 , October 1989 , pp. 355 - 362
Copyright
Copyright © British Lichen Society 1989

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