Lichen acids,plant growth inhibitors from Usnea longissima

Eight components, depsides and orcinol derivatives which exhibit growth-inhibitory activity agai.     

地衣的妙用

本刊曾在2000年第4期刊登过一篇“地衣之歌”,作者别具匠心,以诗歌形式向读者介绍了关于地衣的知识,流畅的诗句和通俗易懂的内容至今让人回味。这里我们摘录了“地衣之歌”的部分内容,连同作者拍摄到的一组珍贵的有关地衣的照片和“地衣的妙用”一文再次献给读者。     

Lichen biota of Khakassia

The diversity of Khakassia lichen biota inhabiting the central part of the Altai-Sayan mountain region and the general regularities in the lichen distribution on substrates and along vertical belts have been studied. The lichen composition of 1330 species, 262 genera, and 82 families was determined via generalization of the lichenological data available for this republic. The main lichen synusia in high mountain, mountain steppe, and mountain forest belts were recorded.     

Lichen endozoochory by snails

Endozoochory plays a prominent role for the dispersal of seed plants. However, for most other plant taxa it is not known whether this mode of dispersal occurs at all. Among those other taxa, lichens as symbiotic associations of algae and fungi are peculiar as their successful dispersal requires movement of propagules that leaves the symbiosis functional. However, the potential for endozoochorous dispersal of lichen fragments has been completely overlooked. We fed sterile thalli of two foliose lichen species (Lobaria pulmonaria and Physcia adscendens) differing in habitat and air-quality requirements to nine snail species common in temperate Europe. We demonstrated morphologically that L. pulmonaria regenerated from 29.0% of all 379 fecal pellets, whereas P. adscendens regenerated from 40.9% of all 433 fecal pellets, showing that lichen fragments survived gut passage of all snail species. Moreover, molecular analysis of regenerated lichens confirmed the species identity for a subset of samples. Regeneration rates were higher for the generalist lichen species P. adscendens than for the specialist lichen species L. pulmonaria. Furthermore, lichen regeneration rates varied among snail species with higher rates after gut passage of heavier snail species. We suggest that gastropods generally grazing on lichen communities are important, but so far completely overlooked, as vectors for lichen dispersal. This opens new ecological perspectives and questions the traditional view of an entirely antagonistic relationship between gastropods and lichens.     

Lichen conservation in Scotland

Summary

The significance of the Scottish lichen flora is outlined within the context of the British Isles and Europe, prompting a cautionary note on an over-reliance of assessing conservation importance using national Red Data Book categorisations. The conservation needs of lichens and their habitats, from ‘gardening’ to landscape management are discussed.     

Lichen biota of West Siberia

The author has surveyed the diversity of lichen biota of West Siberia and distribution of lichens over its two geographic parts: the West Siberian Plain and the mountain frame in the south of West Siberia. The diversity of lichen biota in entire West Siberia is currently estimated at 1845 species in 325 genera and 95 families. The diversity of the West Siberian Plain is estimated at 1421 species in 271 genera and 86 families, and that of the southern mountains of West Siberia, at 1682 species in 312 genera and 94 families.