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The Occurrence of Copper-Psoromic Acid in Lichens From Cupriferous Substrata

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2007

O. William Purvis ,
John A. Elix  and
Kim L. Gaul
O. William Purvis
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
John A. Elix
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department, The Faculties, Australian National University, GPO Box 4, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Kim L. Gaul
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department, The Faculties, Australian National University, GPO Box 4, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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Abstract

The localization of psoromic acid and copper in partly green, copper-rich specimens of Lecidella bullata and Tephromela testaceoatra collected in Norway was studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. Infrared absorption spectroscopy of lichen material and of a synthetic copper-psoromic acid complex, and the other techniques, provide evidence that complexing of copper by psoromic acid occurs within specific areas of these lichens and this leads to their unusual colouration. In contrast, a specimen of copper-rich Lecanora cascadensis, which contains psoromic and usnic acids, does not contain such a complex. From the evidence obtained it is suggested that taxonomists should pay attention to the impact of rock and lichen chemistry on the appearance of lichen thalli.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Lichenologist , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , July 1990 , pp. 345 - 354
Copyright
Copyright © British Lichen Society 1990

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