Polyol-assimilation capacities of lichen-inhabiting fungi

Fungi are one of the most diverse carbon source-assimilating organisms, living as saprobes, parasites and symbionts; they play an important role in carbon cycling in the ecosystem. A lichen thallus provides habitats for many non-lichenized fungi and usually contains large quantities of polyols. Howe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Lichenologist (London) 2020-01, Vol.52 (1), p.49-59
Main Authors: Yoshino, Kanami, Yamamoto, Kohei, Masumoto, Hiroshi, Degawa, Yousuke, Yoshikawa, Hiroko, Harada, Hiroshi, Sakamoto, Kazunori
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Assimilation
Carbon
Carbon cycle
Carbon sources
Endophytes
Ethanol
Fungi
Glucose
Lichens
Mannitol
Museums
Niches
Parasites
Polyols
Segregation
Symbionts
Thallus
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Fungi are one of the most diverse carbon source-assimilating organisms, living as saprobes, parasites and symbionts; they play an important role in carbon cycling in the ecosystem. A lichen thallus provides habitats for many non-lichenized fungi and usually contains large quantities of polyols. However, research has not been undertaken to identify carbon sources of lichen-inhabiting fungi. In this study, we isolated various lichen-inhabiting fungi from surface-sterilized Ramalina spp., Flavoparmelia caperata and Peltigera degenii , and demonstrated their ability to assimilate carbon sources, namely glucose, ribitol and mannitol. Several isolates efficiently assimilated mannitol and ribitol; however, most isolates could assimilate only mannitol or both ribitol and mannitol at low levels. It is suggested that there are different preferences and niche segregation of carbon sources among lichen-inhabiting fungi, and that this assemblage includes fungi with different lifestyles such as saprobes, endophytes and transient visitors.
ISSN:0024-2829
1096-1135
DOI:10.1017/S0024282919000483