Functional Analysis of the Intrathalline and Intracellular Chlorophyll Concentrations in the Lichen Family Umbilicariaceae |
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Authors: | VALLADARES FERNANDO; SANCHO LEOPOLDO G; ASCASO CARMEN |
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Institution: | Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, 28006, Madrid, Spain Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain |
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Abstract: | Intrathalline and intracellular chlorophyll concentrations togetherwith thallus structure were studied in 12 species of the lichenfamily Umbilicariaceae in order to explore pigment limitationsfor light absorption and for maximum rates of net photosynthesis(Amax). Species from high light environments tended to haverelatively low chlorophyll concentrations and vice versa. Chlorophyllconcentration on a surface area basis of all species studiedwas sufficient to absorb 8099% of the incident light,which led us to believe that chlorophyll concentration was nota limiting factor for Amax. Amaxof Umbilicariaceae was smallerthan Amaxof leaves of vascular plants, both on a dry weightand on a surface area basis. These differences slightly decreasedbut did not disappear when referred to the chlorophyll concentrationof the photosynthetic tissues, but reference units had a confoundingeffect in the comparisons. Differences in Amaxon a dry weightbasis between Umbilicariaceae and vascular plants disappearedwhen comparisons were made with the whole plant and not simplywith the leaf. We found a significant, inverse relationshipbetween amount of alga and chlorophyll concentration withinthe algal cells in the lichens studied. This was interpretedas a mechanism to avoid pigment self-shading within the algallayer, distributing more efficiently the photosynthetic pigmentsover a given surface area, and is the first indication of sucha mechanism in lichens. It is suggested that thallus structureand physiology have a larger influence on the observed low Amaxofthe lichens studied than chlorophyll content. Algal cells; chlorophyll concentration; lichens; light harvesting; net photosynthesis; stereology; thallus structure; Umbilicariaceae |
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