title: A lichen protected by a super-hydrophobic and breathable structure.
abstract: A species of lichen, Lecanora conizaeoides, is shown to be super-hydrophobic. It uses a combination of hydrophobic compounds and multi-layered roughness to shed water effectively. This is combined with gas channels to produce a biological analogue of a waterproof, breathable garment. The particular lichen grows mostly during wet seasons and is unusually resistant to acid rain [Hauck, M., 2003. The Bryologist 106(2), 257-269; Honegger, R., 1998. Lichenologist 30(3),193-212]. The waterproof, breathable surface allows this lichen to photosynthesise when other species are covered with a layer of water. In addition, rainwater runs off the surface of the organism, reducing its intake of water from above and probably contributing to its resistance to acid rain.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Road, NG11 8NS, UK. Neil.shirtcliffe@ntu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Shirtcliffe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brian Pyatt
authors.forename: Michael I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McHale
mesh_terms: D015258:Acid Rain; D004391:Dust; D005740:Gases / Q000378:metabolism; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010788:Photosynthesis; D011891:Rain
chemical_list: D015258:Acid Rain; D004391:Dust; D005740:Gases