Broad Ecological Niche in Seashore Lichens Emerges From a Stable, Selective Association With Generalist Algal Symbionts
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F25%3A10508490" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/25:10508490 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=LOVpM4IJ7H" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=LOVpM4IJ7H</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72639" target="_blank" >10.1002/ece3.72639</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Broad Ecological Niche in Seashore Lichens Emerges From a Stable, Selective Association With Generalist Algal Symbionts
Original language description
In mutualistic systems, the ability to associate with diverse symbionts of distinct physiological traits often facilitates broadening of the niche. In lichen symbiosis, this process remains understudied. While such flexibility has been demonstrated for some species, others associate only with symbionts of comparable characteristics. We investigated whether the broad niche of Hydropunctaria - a genus of seashore lichens inhabiting the supralittoral zone across a salinity gradient - is linked to algal symbiont turnover in response to the changing salinity. Using Sanger sequencing of lichen symbionts and Illumina metabarcoding of free-living algae, we assessed symbiont diversity, selectivity, and the presence of algal symbionts in the environment. Despite the presence of multiple potential algal partners in the surrounding environment, Hydropunctaria exhibited a highly specific and stable association with a single algal symbiont across a wide salinity range. This suggests that the ecological niche breadth in this symbiotic system is driven not by the ability to change partners in response to changing salinity, but rather by the association between generalist, euryhaline symbionts. Our findings also point to selective mechanisms beyond partner availability alone.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10611 - Plant sciences, botany
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GF24-10510K" target="_blank" >GF24-10510K: Towards resolving the paradox of lichen symbiosis</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Ecology and Evolution
ISSN
2045-7758
e-ISSN
2045-7758
Volume of the periodical
15
Issue of the periodical within the volume
12
Country of publishing house
GB - UNITED KINGDOM
Number of pages
12
Pages from-to
e72639
UT code for WoS article
001639596400001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105024875549