Genetic diversity and substrate preferences in Hypogymnia physodes in northern Europe

• Genetic variation in lichens has mainly been examined in rare or threatened species or species with an otherwise fragmented geographical distribution. The main objectives have often been to compare the diversity between populations in relation to nature conservation issues. In addition, most studied species are sexual reproductive and, hence, produce small spores which may disperse over long distances. More common species have usually been neglected, although they are more easily collected, both because collecting results in a comparatively small disturbance of the populations and because they occur in a larger selection of habitats. Here we present a study on the genetic variation in the lichenized ascomycete Hypogymnia physodes in Northern Europe based on nrDNA data. The species was selected as it probably is the most common lichen in the area, it is corticolous, found on almost all woody plants in most habitats, and has a predominantly asexual dispersal mode. The material was collected in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden as a part of a larger project aiming at identifying localities with high biodiversity of interest for nature conservation projects. We examined the correlations between genetic diversity and substrate ecology as well as spatial distances. An important result is the large genetic variation within a mainly asexual lichen species. The results also show genetic similarity between specimens from similar substrates.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

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