Seasonal variation of lipids and fatty acids from tree-growing lichens of the genus Physcia

Abstract

Lipids, including phospholipids and fatty acids from two lichen species, Physcia dubia and P. stellaris, collected between March and May, were examined. The seasonal changes occurring in lipid composition due to temperature were identified. Each species had a characteristic temperature-based lipid pattern. Physcia stellaris was round to increase its total lipid content from 24,8 in March to 37.5 mg g -1 dry wt in May, whereas the lipid content decreased from 63.4 to 51.8 mg g -1 dry wt in P. dubia from March to May. Both species possessed high neutral lipid contents in March, 70.1 and 56%, respectively, and showed an increase in their glycolipid contents during the same period