Bipolar Distributions Research Articles

Spatial Engineering of Heterotypic Antigens on a DNA Framework for the Preparation of Mosaic Nanoparticle Vaccines with Enhanced Immune Activation against SARS‐CoV‐2 Variants

AbstractMosaic nanoparticle vaccines with heterotypic antigens exhibit broad‐spectrum antiviral capabilities, but the impact of antigen proportions and distribution patterns on vaccine‐induced immunity remains largely unexplored. Here, we present a DNA nanotechnology‐based strategy for spatially assembling heterotypic antigens to guide the rational design of mosaic nanoparticle vaccines. By utilizing two aptamers with orthogonal selectivity for the original SARS‐CoV‐2 spike trimer and Omicron receptor‐binding domain (RBD), along with a DNA soccer‐ball framework, we precisely manipulate the spacing, stoichiometry, and overall distribution of heterotypic antigens to create mosaic nanoparticles with average, bipolar, and unipolar antigen distributions. Systematic in vitro and in vivo immunological investigations demonstrate that 30 heterotypic antigens in equivalent proportions, with an average distribution, lead to higher production of broad‐spectrum neutralizing antibodies compared to the bipolar and unipolar distributions. Furthermore, the precise assembly utilizing our developed methodology reveals that a mere increment of five Omicron RBD antigens on a nanoparticle (from 15 to 20) not only diminishes neutralization against the Omicron variant but also triggers excessive inflammation. This work provides a unique perspective on the rational design of mosaic vaccines by highlighting the significance of the spatial placement and proportion of heterotypic antigens in their structure–activity mechanisms.

A kinematic study of the disc-outflow system around a high-mass protostar G59.783+0.065 probed by methanol and water masers

ABSTRACT Class II CH3OH masers are used as a convenient tracer of disc-like structures in high-mass star formation. However, more than half of them show a complex distribution in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) maps. The origin of such a complex distribution is still unknown. We conducted VLBI monitoring observations to unveil the origin of a complex class II CH3OH maser in the high-mass star-forming region G59.783+0.065. We observed the CH3OH maser at 6.7 GHz and the H2O maser at 22 GHz to probe detailed circumstellar kinematics and structures by the Japanese VLBI network and the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry. We found similar bipolar distributions in both masers, specifically two clusters located 2000 au apart along the east–west direction. We detected a linear distribution of CH3OH masers in the western cluster. A position–velocity diagram shows that the western CH3OH masers trace a rotating disc-wind or infalling component inside an edge-on disc-like structure. In contrast to the simple bipolar expanding motions of the H2O masers, the CH3OH masers exhibited complex motions despite their spatial coincidence. Some of the eastern CH3OH masers showed bipolar expansions similar to the H2O masers, while others displayed random or even inward motions. Such complex kinematics and their close association with the H2O maser could occur at the boundary between outflow and inflow. We suggest that the complex distribution of class II CH3OH masers, like G59.783+0.065 arises from several distinct circumstellar structures that simultaneously achieve maser excitation.

Aerosol charge neutralization and its impact on particle filtration efficiency of common face mask materials

Despite the significant increase in research on mask filtration testing since the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains considerable ambiguity regarding which parameters affect particle filtration efficiency (PFE) and how differences in standard testing protocols can lead to divergent PFE values. We evaluated the PFE (and differential pressure) of several common face masks and community face mask materials including woven cotton, spunbond polypropylene, and meltblown polypropylene, testing in accordance with ASTM F2100/2299 standards for medical masks, using polystyrene latex (PSL) aerosol, as well as NIOSH standards for respirators, using NaCl aerosol. In both cases, PFE was measured with and without aerosol charge neutralization, which is used to bring the particle population to a known, equilibrium bipolar charge distribution. Aerosols of either composition that were untreated (not neutralized) led to significant increases in measured PFE, especially in the case of PSL. In contrast, effective neutralization led to lower PFE measurements that also showed little to no dependence on aerosol composition across most materials. To investigate further, the bipolar charge distributions of PSL and NaCl aerosols, both neutralized and untreated, were characterized using an aerodynamic aerosol classifier operated in tandem with a scanning mobility particle sizer (AAC-SMPS). This technique illustrated the differences in the distribution of particle charge states between PSL and NaCl aerosols of the same size, and between PSL particles of different sizes, revealing the presence of highly charged particles in many cases. Most importantly, the equilibrium charge distribution after neutralization is shown to be independent of particle composition or initial charge distribution, highlighting the crucial role of aerosol charge neutralizers in preventing overestimates of mask performance (due to electrostatic effects) and promoting consistency in standard testing procedures.

Tuning interactions in nanopore arrays with charges on the pore walls

Physiological processes at the cellular level are regulated by nanoconfined ionic transport. Protein channels regulate the passage of specific ions into and out of the cell, and biological systems rely on the concerted function of many channels embedded in their membranes. For instance, the propagation of an action potential down an axon is moderated by the coordinated transport of sodium and potassium ions across neuronal membranes. Beyond its ubiquity in biological systems, transport across nanoporous devices has industrial applications such as single-molecule sensing, energy storage, and water desalination. While single nanopore systems have been thoroughly studied in both biological and industrial contexts, systems containing an array of multiple nanopores are of increasing interest. Due to the close proximity of channels in an array, local environmental changes at the interface of one channel may influence the transport properties of neighboring channels. In this work, we fabricated nanopore arrays with tunable geometries and surface chemistries to probe this cross-talk between nanopores. We employed electron beam sculpting of silicon nitride membranes to fabricate arrays containing two and three nanopores. This method allowed us to engineer devices of varying interpore distances to probe neighboring interactions as a function of interpore distance. Using electrochemical methods, we characterized the current-voltage response of each array at varying sizes of the electric double layer to probe the nature of interpore interactions. Furthermore, we explored surface modifications to create nanopores with bipolar surface charge distributions, which effectively act as ionic diodes. Our results are also complemented by computational modeling. An exploration of the electrokinetic phenomena of these arrays will deepen our understanding of the interplay between neighboring channels, elucidating the mechanisms behind ionic sieving on the scale of an entire network of nanopores.

Nanofluidic diodes based on asymmetric bio-inspired surface coatings in straight glass nanochannels.

In this study, we present nanofluidic diodes fabricated from straight glass nanochannels and functionalized using bio-inspired polydopamine (PDA) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) coatings. The resulting PDA coatings are shown to be asymmetric due to a combination of transport considerations which can be leveraged to provide a measure of control over the effective channel geometry. By subsequently introducing a layer of amine-bearing PLL chains covalently bound to the PDA, we enhance heterogeneities in the charge and ion distributions within the channel and enable significant current rectification between forward-bias and reverse-bias modes; our PDA-PLL-coated channels yielded a rectification ratio greater than 1000 in a 100 nm channel filled with 0.01× phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS). We further demonstrated that at higher ionic strength conditions, reducing the solution pH increased the number of protonated amines within the PLL layer, amplifying the charge disparities along the channel and leading to greater rectification. As nanofluidic diodes with bipolar surface charge distributions tend to provide superior performance compared to those with a single wall charge polarity, we imposed a more bipolar charge distribution in our devices by partially coating our PDA-PLL-coated channels with negatively charged polyacrylic acid (PAA). These enhanced bipolar channels exhibited greater current rectification than the PDA-PLL-coated channels, reaching rectification ratios in excess of 100 even in more physiologically-relevant 1× PBS solutions. Our fabrication approach and the results herein provide a promising platform from which the scientific community can build upon in the relentless endeavor for improved sensitivity in biosensors and other analytical devices.

A pH gradient induced rectification inversion in asymmetric nanochannels leads to remarkably improved osmotic power

Biological channel membranes regulate direction and degree of ion transport in response to external stimuli, yet it is a challenge to develop artificial nanofluidics with such functions without any chemical modification of the channel walls. Herein, we report the asymmetric branch-type alumina nanochannel (BAN) membrane, that comprises large-pore stem channels and small-pore branched channels and exhibits reversed and significantly enhanced ionic rectification when subjected to a pH gradient. The anomalous transport properties are supported by our rigorous model that takes into account the equilibrium surface reactions of alumina hydroxyl groups on the nanochannel walls with surface protons. The simulation results indicated that the pH gradient-induced bipolar surface charge distributions on the BAN walls lead to the reversal and enhancement of ion transport properties. This work highlights the link between surface chemistry, concentration polarization and ion current rectification, significantly extending the knowledge of how asymmetric pH environments influence transport properties of asymmetric nanofluidics. The application of remarkably amplified osmotic power is also demonstrated, highlighting that the BAN membrane achieves a jump of power density output from ∼2.1 to ∼5.9 W/m2 in the presence of a pH gradient, thus exceeding previously reported values.

Particle beam deflection imaging for simultaneous characterization of aerosol particle size and charge

We present a novel method referred to as Particle Beam Deflection Imaging (PBDI) for the simultaneous characterization of the size and electric charge distribution of submicrometer (currently ∼200–800 nm) aerosol particles in real-time (currently ≤30 s). It combines aerodynamic and electrostatic particle deflection, providing two-dimensional information on size and charge in a single two-dimensional light scattering image. The image allows one to extract information on charge-averaged and charged-resolved particle size distributions, and on size-dependent bipolar charge distributions. The current prototype has a size resolution of <50 nm and can resolve individual charge states. Compared to Scanning Mobility Particles Sizers (SMPS), the PBDI offers the advantage of providing simultaneous size and charge information at higher size resolution in a significantly shorter measurement time, hence allowing real-time characterization of volatile aerosol particles.

Simulation of PMMA powder flow electrification using a new charging model based on single-particle experiments

Thus far, simulations have failed to predict accurately electrostatic powder charging during pneumatic transport. We advanced the modeling of powder flow charging by a three-part study: first, we shot individual particles on a metal target and measured the exchanged charge. Second, based on these results, we formulated an empirical model and implemented it in our CFD tool. Using this tool, we performed large-eddy simulations of the powder flow through a square duct with a cylindrical obstacle inside. Finally, we compared the simulations to measurements in our pneumatic conveying test rig. The simulations successfully predicted the charging of powder consisting of monodisperse particles of a size of 200 μ m. Contrary to the usual procedure for this type of simulation, the tool requires no tuning of any parameters. According to our simulations, the powder mostly charged when hitting the cylindrical obstacle. The contacts led to bipolar charge distributions.

Shorebirds and the Dispersal of Bipolar Plant Species to South America

Among the most distantly separated plant species are those that are found on the polar regions of the northern and southern hemispheres, the so-called bipolar species. Two routes of introduction have been proposed—long-distance dispersal (LDD) and mountain hopping (MH). Shorebirds have been implicated in the distribution of the bipolar species by several authors, but the most likely participants and the most probable routes of introduction have been little investigated. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility database was accessed to determine the geographic range of those angiosperm species that have been reported to have bipolar distributions. A bipolar plant species was considered most likely to have been dispersed by LDD if it has a distinct disjunct distribution between North and South America, and through MH if it is found in intermediate latitudes. The Atlas of Bird Migrations and the Cornell Birds of the World database were searched to discover which birds make long-distance migrations from Arctic North America to the tip of South America, and their mode of travel. Twenty-three plant species have been identified as bipolar. LDD appears to have been more important than MH in their dispersal, as seventeen (75%) have disjunct distributions and six (25%) are found in intermediate latitudes. The most likely players in the LDD dispersal of the bipolar plant species are the Eskimo Curlew, Hudsonian Godwit, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone and Whimbrel. Of these five long flyers, the Hudsonian Godwit may have delivered the most seeds as its breeding and migration ranges overlap with the most bipolar species, 12 in all.

An experimentally validated model of diffusion charging of arbitrary shaped aerosol particles

Particle shape strongly influences the diffusion charging of aerosol particles exposed to bipolar/unipolar ions and accurate modeling is needed to predict the charge distribution of non-spherical particles. A prior particle-ion collision kernel βi model including Coulombic and image potential interactions for spherical particles is generalized for arbitrary shapes following a scaling approach that uses a continuum and free molecular particle length scale and Langevin dynamics simulations of non-spherical particle-ion collisions for attractive Coulomb-image potential interactions. This extended βi model for collisions between unlike charged particle-ion (bipolar charging) and like charged particle-ion (unipolar charging) is validated by comparing against published experimental data of bipolar charge distributions for diverse shapes. Comparison to the bipolar charging data for spherical particles shows good agreement in air, argon, and nitrogen, while also demonstrating high accuracy in predicting charge states up to ±6. Comparisons to the data for fractal aggregates reveal that the LD-based βi model predicts within overall ±30% without any systematic bias. The mean charge on linear chain aggregates and charge fractions on cylindrical particles is found to be in good agreement with the measurements (~±20% overall). The comparison with experimental results supports the use of LD-based diffusion charging models to predict the bipolar and unipolar charge distribution of arbitrary shaped aerosol particles for a wide range of particle size, and gas temperature, pressure. The presented βi model is valid for perfectly conducting particles and in the absence of external electric fields; these simplifications need to be addressed in future work on particle charging.

A particle tracking velocimetry method to measure size and charge distributions in tribocharged powder particles

Simultaneous charge and size of tribocharged particles suspended in a gas stream are measured using image analysis. Under the action of a homogeneous electric field, drag, and electric forces are the main factors influencing particle trajectory, from which electric charge and polarity are derived. We could check that the system operates in a laminar gas regime inside the analysis cell since high flow turbulences would alter the particle “electrical” path, thus invalidating the measurement. Single component granular materials and binary mixtures are studied, all cases showing bipolar distributions and dependence on particle size. Mixture composition affects the overall charge polarity in the dispersed powder, and this effect can not solely be attributed to the weight proportion of the components. PTV is a powerful tool in techniques used for triboelectric dry separation of organic and inorganic products since their efficiency relies much on the charge to mass ratio.

Triboelectric Charging and Separation of Fine Powder Mixtures

AbstractFor increasingly finer powders, the material‐specific separation at high loadings is a challenging task, for instance in recycling processes. Here, a combination of triboelectric charging and electrostatic separation was investigated for powder mixtures of talcum and calcite. The dependencies of the triboelectric charge on the mass loading, the gas velocity, and the mixture ratio were investigated. While higher charge levels were achieved with increasing gas velocity, the mass loading had an opposite effect on the net charge. Although bipolar charge distributions were observed within pure materials and mixtures, electrical neutralization did not occur in the mixtures. Therefore, already in a non‐optimized setup, a decent degree of material enrichment (of up to 53 %) was found on the separating electrodes.

A biogeographic connection between Antarctica and montane regions of western North America highlights the need for further study of lecideoid lichens

Processes that shape biogeographic patterns in lichens have been of long-standing interest, especially in extreme environments. Lecideoid lichens in Antarctica have been relatively well-studied and are thought to have a high degree of endemism. However, recent collection efforts in montane regions of western North America have uncovered lecideoid lichens morphologically similar to some from Antarctic and South American Sub-Antarctic regions, including Lecidea andersonii Filson and L. polypycnidophora U.Rupr. & Türk. To explore the similarity between these putative conspecifics, we used ITS and MCM7 sequence data to infer relationships within a phylogenetic framework. The resulting phylogenetic reconstructions provided further evidence of the close relationship between specimens from western North America with geographically distant lecideoid populations in the Southern Hemisphere. We recovered two diverse, well-supported clades, provisionally called the L. andersonii complex and the ‘Lecidea NA-ARG clade,’ both including species-level subclades. A number of lecideoid species and species-level lineages thought to be endemic to Antarctica, the South American Sub-Antarctic region, or with bipolar distributions also occur in montane regions of western North America. In some cases, these species-level clades corresponded to distinct geographic regions, e.g., L. polypycnidophora, while other species failed to show phylogenetic structure corresponding to distinct geographic regions, e.g., L. andersonii. These findings bring into question the origin and prevalence of truly endemic Antarctic lichen-forming fungi. Additional investigations into lecideoid lichens, including the biogeographic connection between western North America with Antarctica, will likely provide novel perspectives into the connection between Antarctica and North America, potential colonization routes and the timing of dispersal events.

Holographic deflection imaging measurement of electric charge on aerosol particles

We propose a simple noninvasive technique called holographic deflection imaging (HDI) to measure electric charge on individual aerosol particles. Particles in many flows such as atmospheric turbulence can carry electric charges, which add forces that compete with turbulence and affect particle dynamics. To measure particle charges, we devised a novel technique for polydispersed particles with bipolar charge distributions. The technique uses common optical hardware and a novel particle sizing algorithm for polydispersed size distributions. A charged particle sample is introduced into a vertical channel air flow and a horizontal electric field. For each particle, In-line digital holography is used to simultaneously track particle positions over successive holograms and decode size information from hologram interference fringes. This enables measurement of the electric-force-induced horizontal component of terminal velocity and the particle size. From velocity and size, particle charge is calculated using a force balance, assuming Stokes drag on spherical particles. Two experiments were conducted, one to validate HDI measurements of a bipolarly charged particle sample against an electrometer, and the other to demonstrate particle size effect on triboelectric charging of aerosols in a fan-driven isotropic turbulence chamber. The HDI setup was configured for each experiment, and measurement uncertainty was estimated. Experiment 1 found good agreement (< 5%) in mean charge between measurements by HDI and the electrometer. Experiment 2 found nearly symmetric bipolar charge distributions, which broadened with increasing particle surface area, as expected for triboelectric charging by the symmetrically installed fans.

A Relationship Between Total Radiated Power of Difference Patterns and Sum Patterns Using Variance Beamwidth

For a given current distribution along a line source, the relationship between the line source’s total radiated power and the radiated power of a line source whose current distribution is the derivative of the original current distribution is established herein using the notion of variance beamwidth. Current distributions of specific interest are symmetrical and antisymmetrical distributions that produce “sum” and “difference” patterns, respectively. An example is provided by using the triangular distribution as the symmetrical current distribution and the bipolar pulse as the antisymmetrical distribution. Error estimates are also provided that highlight the limitations of using Parseval’s identity to approximate the total radiated power of a line source. This limitation is exemplified by using the bipolar pulse and uniform distributions as a case study. Numerical data are plotted and assessed to substantiate all theoretical claims.

Constraints of bipolar and tropical bivalves on the northward drifting of the Indian Plate

We employed a novel approach using the bipolar and tropical distributions of bivalves to track the northward drift of the Indian Plate. The Kimmeridgian–Tithonian Retroceramus, Tithonian Anopaea and Buchia, and Aptian–Cenomanian Aucellina were mainly restricted to areas poleward of 30°N and 30°S, but middle Oxfordian–latest Cretaceous rudist bivalves were mainly restricted to areas between the paleolatitudes 30°S and 30°N. The distributions of these paleolatitude indicators in late Mesozoic time record five major drifting phases of the northward translation of the Indian Plate. In the Late Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous, the Indian Plate was a part of Gondwana, and various bipolar bivalves were present. During the Aptian–Albian interval, the Indian Plate was separated from Gondwana, but most parts of this plate were still under cold water, likely south of 30°S, and even at higher latitudes, because bipolar bivalves still existed at the northern margin of this plate, in the Tethyan Himalaya. In the Cenomanian, the northern part of the Indian Plate translated north into a warm/subtropical environments, north of 30°S, but southern India was still in a cold region, south of 30°S, as evidenced by Aucellina, which had already disappeared from the northern part of the Indian Plate, but still survived in southern India. In the latest Campanian, at least the Tethyan Himalaya of the northern margin of the Indian Plate had drifted into the area north of 30°S, based on the appearance of Bournonia haydeni then in Tibet. Rudists occupied both the northern (Tethyan Himalaya) and southern (southern India) parts of the India Plate by the Maastrichtian, which demonstrate that the Indian Plate completely entered the tropical area, and roughly coincided with the initial collision between the Indian and Eurasian continents around the Maastrichtian–Paleocene.

Bipolar distributions in vascular plants: A review.

Bipolar disjunct distributions are a fascinating biogeographic pattern exhibited by about 30 vascular plants, whose populations reach very high latitudes in the northern and southern hemispheres. In this review, we first propose a new framework for the definition of bipolar disjunctions and then reformulate a list of guiding principles to consider how to study bipolar species. Vicariance and convergent evolution hypotheses have been argued to explain the origin of this fragmented distribution pattern, but we show here that they can be rejected for all bipolar species, except for Carex microglochin. Instead, human introduction and dispersal (either direct or by mountain-hopping)-facilitated by standard and nonstandard vectors-are the most likely explanations for the origin of bipolar plant disjunctions. Successful establishment after dispersal is key for colonization of the disjunct areas and appear to be related to both intrinsic (e.g., self-compatibility) and extrinsic (mutualistic and antagonistic interactions) characteristics. Most studies on plant bipolar disjunctions have been conducted in Carex (Cyperaceae), the genus of vascular plants with the largest number of bipolar species. We found a predominant north-to-south direction of dispersal, with an estimated time of diversification in agreement with major cooling events during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Bipolar Carex species do not seem to depend on specialized traits for long-distance dispersal and could have dispersed through one or multiple stochastic events, with birds as the most likely dispersal vector.

Resolving the northern hemisphere source region for the long‐distance dispersal event that gave rise to the South American endemic dung moss Tetraplodon fuegianus

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:American bipolar plant distributions characterize taxa at various taxonomic ranks but are most common in the bryophytes at infraspecific and infrageneric levels. A previous study on the bipolar disjunction in the dung moss genus Tetraplodon found that direct long‐distance dispersal from North to South in the Miocene–Pleistocene accounted for the origin of the Southern American endemic Tetraplodon fuegianus, congruent with other molecular studies on bipolar bryophytes. The previous study, however, remained inconclusive regarding a specific northern hemisphere source region for the transequatorial dispersal event that gave rise to T. fuegianus.METHODS:To estimate spatial genetic structure and phylogeographic relationships within the bipolar lineage of Tetraplodon, which includes T. fuegianus, we analyzed thousands of restriction‐site‐associated DNA (RADseq) loci and single nucleotide polymorphisms using Bayesian individual assignment and maximum likelihood and coalescent model based phylogenetic approaches.KEY RESULTS:Northwestern North America is the most likely source of the recent ancestor to T. fuegianus.CONCLUSIONS:Tetraplodon fuegianus, which marks the southernmost populations in the bipolar lineage of Tetraplodon, arose following a single long‐distance dispersal event involving a T. mnioides lineage that is now rare in the northern hemisphere and potentially restricted to the Pacific Northwest of North America. Furthermore, gene flow between sympatric lineages of Tetraplodon mnioides in the northern hemisphere is limited, possibly due to high rates of selfing or reproductive isolation.

Past, present, and future research in bipolar lichen‐forming fungi and their photobionts

Compared to other organisms, such as vascular plants or mosses, lichen‐forming fungi have a high number of species occurring in both northern and southern hemispheres but are largely absent from intermediate, tropical latitudes. For instance, ca. 160 Antarctic species also occur in polar areas or mountainous temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Early interpretations of this particular distribution pattern were made in terms of vicariance or long‐distance dispersal. However, it was not until the emergence of phylogenetics and the possibility of dating past diversification and colonization events that these initial hypotheses started to be evaluated. The premise of a relatively recent colonization of the southern hemisphere by boreal lichens through long‐distance dispersal has gained support in recent studies based on either the comparison of genetic affinities (i.e., tree topology) or more robust, statistical migratory models. Still, the scarcity of such studies and a concern that taxonomic concepts for bipolar lichens are often too broad preclude the generation of sound explanations on the mechanisms and origin of such fascinating disjunct distributions.This review provides an up‐to‐date overview of bipolar distributions in lichen‐forming fungi and their photobionts. Evidence provided by recent, molecular‐based studies as well as data on the type of lichen reproduction, dispersal ability, photobiont identity and availability, and habitat preferences are brought together to discuss how and when these distributions originated and their genetic footprints. Ideas for future prospects and research are also discussed.

No need for stepping stones: Direct, joint dispersal of the lichen‐forming fungus Mastodia tessellata (Ascomycota) and its photobiont explains their bipolar distribution

AbstractAimThe hypotheses proposed to explain the high percentage of bipolar lichens in Antarctica have never been explicitly tested. We used the strictly bipolar, coastal lichenized fungus Mastodia tessellata (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota) and its photobionts (Prasiola, Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) as model species to discern whether this extraordinary disjunction originated from vicariance or long‐distance dispersal.LocationCoasts of Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego (Chile), Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada).MethodsBased on a comprehensive geographical (315 specimens and 16 populations from Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego and North America) and molecular sampling (three and four loci for the fungus and algae respectively), we implemented explicit Bayesian methods to compare alternative hypotheses of speciation and migration, and performed dating analyses for the fungal and algal partner, in order to infer the timing of the colonization events and the direction of gene flow among distant, disjunct areas.ResultsMastodia tessellata comprises two fungal species which in turn associate with three photobiont lineages along the studied distribution range. Independent estimation of divergence ages for myco‐ and photobionts indicated a middle to latest Miocene species split in the Southern Hemisphere, and a late Miocene to Pleistocene acquisition of the bipolar distribution. Comparison of migration models and genetic diversity patterns suggested an austral origin for the bipolar species.Main conclusionsThe complex evolutionary history of Mastodia tessellata s.l. can be explained by a combination of vicariant and long‐distance dispersal mechanisms. We provide novel evidence of a pre‐Pleistocene long‐term evolution of lichens in Antarctica as well as for bipolar distributions shaped by Southern to Northern Hemisphere migratory routes without the need for stepping stones.