title: High photobiont diversity in the common European soil crust lichenPsora decipiens.
abstract: The genetic diversity of green algal photobionts (chlorobionts) in soil crust forming lichens was studied as part of the SCIN-project (Soil Crust InterNational). A total of 64 lichen samples were collected from four different sites along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in Europe (Tabernas/Spain; Hochtor-Großglockner/Austria; Gynge Alvar/Sweden; Ruine Homburg/Germany). The dominant lichen species at all four sites wasPsora decipiens, often occurring withBuellia elegans, Fulgensia bracteata, F. fulgensandPeltigera rufescens.Genetic identification of chlorobionts was carried out using the nuclear marker (nrITS) and a chloroplast marker (psbL-J). We foundP. decipiensto be associated with several different species ofTrebouxiaandAsterochloris, although previously described to only haveAsterochlorissp. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a high chlorobiont diversity with 12 well supported clades, includingTrebouxia asymmetrica,T. jamesii,T. impressaand other, as yet taxonomically unidentified clades (Trebouxiasp. URa1-4,T. sp. URa6,T. sp. URa7-13). Additionally, five clades ofAsterochloriswere identified (A. magna, A.sp. URa14 -17). Most of the chlorobiont species appeared to be cosmopolitan, but five clades were unevenly distributed between the sampling sites with onlyTrebouxiabeing found in the warm and dry Spanish habitats and combinations ofTrebouxiaandAsterochlorisin the cooler and more humid habitats. The wide range of chlorobiont species might contribute to the observed domination ofP. decipiensat all four research sites of the SCIN project which range from a desert in Spain to an alpine site in the Alps of Austria.
authors: Organismic Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Ruprecht
authors: Organismic Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Brunauer
authors: Organismic Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Türk
keywords: Asterochloris sp.; Chlorobiont; Genetic diversity; Psora decipiens; Soil crust forming lichens; Trebouxia sp.