Cladonia Furcata Research Articles

The Revision of Lichen Flora Around Maxwell Bay, King George Island, Maritime Antarctic

Since the floristic study of lichens at the Barton and Weaver Peninsulas of King George Island in 2006, there have been intense investigations of the lichen flora of the two peninsulas as well as that of Fildes Peninsula and Ardley Island in Maxwell Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, maritime Antarctic. In this study, a total of 104 species belonging to 53 genera, are identified from investigations of lichens that were collected in austral summer seasons from 2008 to 2016. Phenotypic and molecular analyses were incorporated for taxonomic identification. In particular, 31 species are found to be endemic to the Antarctic and 22 species are newly recorded to the Maxwell Bay region. Lepra dactylina, Stereocaulon caespitosum, and Wahlenbergiella striatula are newly recorded in the Antarctic, and the previously reported taxon Cladonia furcata is excluded from the formerly recorded list due to misidentification. We also provide ecological and geographical information about lichen associations and habitat preferences.

Land-use history affects vascular plant composition of calcareous grasslands – Does it affect cryptogam composition, too?

Land-use history and habitat age are considered highly important regarding the species composition and conservation value of, e.g., grasslands and forests. Ancient sites, i.e., sites with a continuous habitat history, are thought to be richer in rare, threatened, and more specialised species than recent sites. However, species composition is also affected by abiotic and ecological factors such as soil and climate parameters, and further analyses are needed to determine whether history or other factors are more important. In previous studies carried out at two study areas in the German Jurassic mountains, land-use history was identified as the main factor shaping vascular plant composition of ancient vs. recent grassland sites. Ancient was defined that there was a continuous grazing history since at least 200 years, while recent grasslands have developed from arable fields considerably after this time. Many species such as arable weeds and crop species, being residuals of the former land-use type, were found in the recent grasslands. In the present study, we assessed the terricolous cryptogam vegetation (bryophytes, lichens, macromycetes) of the same ancient and recent sites regarding species composition, occurrence of endangered species, and the applicability of the indicator species concept and Ellenberg indicator values. Although land-use history was the strongest explaining factor regarding vascular plant vegetation in previous studies, cryptogam vegetation did not reflect this signal. Species numbers and Ellenberg indicator values were quite similar in ancient and recent grasslands but we could, nevertheless, identify indicator species for both grassland types, with Rhytidium rugosum, Cladonia furcata ssp. subrangiformis and Hygrocybe persistens as strongest indicators of ancient grasslands, and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus as strongest indicator of recent grasslands. When we compared the results for vascular plant and cryptogam vegetation we found that land-use history seems to have much less influence on the composition of the cryptogam vegetation in grasslands, given a certain time of recreation and succession. This is very likely due to an enhanced dispersability of cryptogam propagules. We found rare and endangered cryptogam species in ancient and recent sites; therefore, species maintenance measures can be worthwile in both grassland types.

Effect of environmental factors on the composition of terrestrial bryophyte and lichen species in Scots pine forests on fixed sand dunes

Aim of the study: To investigate terrestrial bryophyte and lichen species richness and environmental factors affecting the composition of species. Area of the study: Four Boreal zone fixed dunes were selected in the coastal area of the Baltic Sea in southwest Estonia. Material and methods: Non-metric multidimensional scaling was performed to analyse distribution patterns and environmental factors like canopy cover, photosynthetically active radiation, soil organic horizon thickness and decomposition rates, soil volumetric water content, soil pH and electrical conductivity and soil nutrients correlated with bryophyte and lichen species composition. Main results: Thirty bryophytes and 22 lichens were found on 232 sample plots, the most frequent species were Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp., Dicranum polysetum Sw. ex anon., Cladonia arbuscula (Wallr.) Flot. and Cladonia furcata (Huds.) Schrad. The lichen species richness was highest on the slopes of the dunes and decreased towards the bottoms and tops; bryophyte species richness was higher on the bottoms and decreased towards the tops of the dunes. Research highlights: The composition of bryophytes and lichens is significantly influenced by the aspect and the location on the dune, light conditions, soil pH, soil salinity (measured as electrical conductivity) and volumetric water content, thickness of moderately decomposed organic horizon and vascular plant species cover. Keywords Inland dunes; terrestrial bryophyte and lichen communities; environmental factors; topography.

Metal-induced oxidative stress in terrestrial macrolichens

Short-term (24 h) responses of Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis and Cladonia furcata to copper (CuII) or chromium (CrIII) excess (10 or 100 μM) were compared. C. arbuscula accumulated more Cu and Cr at higher metal doses but both species revealed depletion of K and/or Ca amount. Not only Cu but also Cr typically elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (fluorescence microscopy detection of total ROS and hydrogen peroxide) and depleted nitric oxide (NO) signal, with Cu showing more negative impact on lipid peroxidation (BODIPY 581/591 C11 staining reagent). Metals and staining reagents also affected anatomical responses and photobiont/mycobiont visibility. Principally different impact of Cu and Cr was observed at antioxidative metabolites level, indicating various ways of metal-induced ROS removal and/or metal chelation: Cu strongly depleted glutathione (GSH) and stimulated phytochelatin 2 (PC2) content while ascorbic acid accumulation was depleted by Cu and stimulated by Cr. Subsequent experiment with GSH biosynthetic inhibitor (buthionine sulfoximine, BSO) revealed that 48 h of exposure is needed to deplete GSH and BSO-induced depletion of GSH and PC2 amounts under Cu or Cr excess elevated ROS but depleted NO. These data suggest close relations between thiols, NO and appearance of oxidative stress (ROS generation) under metallic stress also in lichens.

Contribution of selected lichens species of the genus Cladonia on the heathlands in Toruń (N, Poland)

The study presents data on the distribution of selected species of lichens – Cladonia furcata (Huds.) Schrad. , C. rangiferina (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg. and C. uncialis (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg. in Torun and along its southern boundary - on a heathland on the military training ground. A comparison was carried out of the research findings on the occurrence of the analysed species against variable habitat conditions over a period of nearly 40 years. The occurrence of Cladonia uncialis was most frequently observed within the city, in the habitats of Calluna vulgaris . A tendency was shown of selected lichen species to spread in the investigated area.

Metabolic responses of terrestrial macrolichens to nickel

Short-term (24 h) responses of Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis (formerly known as Cladina and this name is used to distinguish the tested species) and Cladonia furcata to nickel (Ni2+) excess (10 or 100 μM) were compared. Cladonia accumulated more Ni at higher Ni dose (1.717 mg total Ni/g DW), K amount was unaffected and Ca amount decreased in Cladina only. Fluorescence microscopy detection of total/general ROS and hydrogen peroxide showed Ni-stimulated increase in both species being more pronounced in Cladonia and in mycobiont partner mainly. Nitric oxide visualization (diaminonaphthalene staining) also revealed elevation in response to Ni that could contribute to synthesis of protective metabolites: they may include ascorbic acid or reduced glutathione which increased in Ni-exposed Cladina or Cladonia, respectively. Only low content of phytochelatin 2 was detected in Ni-treated Cladonia and the role in Ni chelation is not apparent. Among aliphatic organic acids, content of citric or succinic acid was not or slightly affected by Ni, production of malic acid dropped by ca. 50% in both species and α-ketoglutaric acid showed the opposite behavior in the tested species. Data indicate that even short-term Ni treatments induce metabolic changes and symptoms of oxidative stress in lichens, confirming that nickel is not non-toxic metal as frequently visible from standard biochemical assays of basic physiology. Ascorbic acid and GSH rather than aliphatic organic acids seem to contribute to Ni tolerance.

Screening of Lichen Extracts Using Tyrosinase Inhibition and Toxicity Against Artemia salina

Nine lichen extracts were evaluated for tyrosinase inhibition and toxicity against Artemia salina larvae. Extract compositions were investigated by TLC and NMR analysis. The activity of constituents against tyrosinase was evaluated by bioautography, and the percent of inhibition was calculated based on the dopachrome produced during a set time interval. Cladia aggregata , Cladonia dimorphoclada , Stereocaulon ramulosum and Stereocaulon microcarpum extracts were active for tyrosinase inhibition. Barbatic, usnic, anziaic acids and an unidentified compound present in the extracts, are possibly responsible for tyrosinase inhibition. Cladia aggregata, Cladonia crispatula , Cladonia furcata , Lobaria erosa , Punctelia canaliculata and S. microcarpum proved to be less toxic to A. salina (LC 50 > 500 mg/mL) than Cladonia confusa and S. ramulosum (LC 50 45.0 and 100.3 mg/mL, respectively), while the extract of C. dimorphoclada was highly toxic (LC 50 < 10 mg/mL). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v8i3.842

The phenotypic features used for distinguishing species within theCladonia furcatacomplex are highly homoplasious

AbstractTheCladonia furcatacomplex treated here comprisesC. farinacea,C. furcata,C. multiformis,C. scabriuscula,C. stereoclada, andC. subrangiformis. The well-known taxonomic complexity of this group is caused by wide phenotypic variation and high morphological similarity among the species, for which reason we investigated the distribution in the phylogeny of the phenotypic characters traditionally used to distinguish the species in this complex. A phylogenetic analysis of theC. furcatacomplex is presented here, based on three loci (ITS rDNA, IGS rDNA andRPB2), representing specimens from a broad geographical range (Europe, North America and New Zealand). The phylogenetic reconstructions were performed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses. In addition, 14 features traditionally used for species delimitation within this complex were mapped onto the Bayesian phylogeny. All the species currently accepted, with the exception ofC. stereoclada, turned out to be polyphyletic. Most of the phenotypic characters studied are highly homoplasious with the exception of the podetium type. The solid podetia represent a diagnostic character ofC. stereoclada.

Differences Between Sensitivity of Mycobiont and Photobiont of Cladonia sp. Lichens to Different Types of Nitrogen Exposure

Lichens absorb water, gases, dissolved substances, and especially pollutants by the entire surface, and they are considered to be the indicators of air quality. In our experiment, a sensitivity of Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis and Cladonia furcata lichens with the same photobiont Trebouxia was tested to nitrogen excess through a sensitivity of both the photobiont and mycobiont. Lichen ecophysiological parameters like chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll a integrity, the content of photosynthetic pigments, ergosterol, soluble proteins, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and secondary compounds were measured during two experiments that differed in time of nitrogen exposure. In the short-term experiment, also higher nitrogen concentrations were used to evaluate the dependence of different nitrogen concentrations. In the short-term experiment, lichens were soaked at the different solutions of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) for describing an immediate effect of range of NH4NO3 concentrations. In the long-term experiment, lichens were sprayed with low NH4NO3 concentrations for 3 months for evaluating the effect of naturally occurring low nitrogen concentrations. Results showed that lichens responded differently in spite of having the same photobiont. The mycobiont of C. arbuscula subsp. mitis was more sensitive than mycobiont of C. furcata. In higher nitrogen concentrations, the photobiont of C. furcata was more sensitive than C. arbuscula subsp. mitis photobiont. Both lichens exhibited signs of damage; therefore, we conclude that they are sensitive to nitrogen excess, while C. arbuscula subsp. mitis is more sensitive species. The secondary compound content did not change in neither of lichen species. Cladonia sp. response to nitrogen excess depends on length and nitrogen dose exposure.

Allelopathic effects of lichen secondary metabolites and their naturally occurring mixtures on cultures of aposymbiotically grown lichen photobiont Trebouxia erici (Chlorophyta)

In the present work, the phytotoxic effects of secondary metabolites extracted from five lichen species (Cladonia arbuscula var. mitis, Cladonia furcata, Hypogymnia physodes, Evernia prunastri and Ramalina farinacea) on cultures of the aposymbiotically grown lichen photobiont Trebouxia erici were evaluated. Toxicity of single secondary metabolites, as well as their naturally occurred mixtures in the lichens was tested at the two selected doses, 0.1mg/disk and 0.01mg/disk. Application of all tested metabolites decreased the growth of photobiont cells in a dose dependent manner. However, based on selected physiological parameters, e.g. composition of assimilation pigments, fluorescence of chlorophyll a, content of soluble proteins, production of TBARS and ROS, differential phytotoxicity of tested compounds and their mixtures was confirmed. It appears that most of the secondary metabolites tested in the present study may be functioning as allelochemicals which are controlling the cell division of the algal partner inside the thallus. The allelochemicals may play a key role in maintaining the balance between the symbionts forming the lichen thallus.

Water content in terricolous lichens

Investigations of the 24-hour absorption and evaporation in &lt;em&gt;Cetraria ericetorum&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cetraria islandica&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cladina mitis&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cladina rangiferina&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cladonia furcata&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cladonia phyllophora&lt;/em&gt; were carrided out. A high correlation was found between these processes and weather conditions and especially 24-hour changes in relative air humidity and changes in temperature. These processes are correlated independently of the season of the year.

Arsenic accumulation and thiol status in lichens exposed to As(V) in controlled conditions

Thalli of epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. and terricolous Cladonia furcata (Huds.) Schrad., collected from an area with background arsenic concentrations, were exposed to 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 microg mL(-1) arsenate (As(V)) solutions for 24 h. After exposure they were kept in the metabolically active state for 0, 24 and 48 h in a growth chamber. In the freeze dried samples glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG), cysteine (Cys) and cystine were analysed and induction of phytochelatin (PC) synthesis measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with fluorescence detection or UV spectrometry. Total arsenic content in thalli was measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). In H. physodes, which contained higher amounts of arsenic compared to C. furcata, total glutathione content significantly decreased in samples exposed to 10 microg mL(-1) As(V), whereas in C. furcata a significant increase was observed. In both species PC synthesis was induced in thalli exposed to 10 microg mL(-1).

Lecanoric acid, a secondary lichen substance with antioxidant properties from Umbilicaria antarctica in maritime Antarctica (King George Island)

Eight lichen species, Cetraria aculeata, Cladonia furcata, Pseudephebe pubescens, Sphaerophorus globosus, Stereocaulon alpinum, Umbilicaria antarctica, Usnea antarctica and Usnea aurantiacoatra, were collected from King George Island, maritime Antarctica, for the evaluation of antioxidant activities. Anti-linoleic acid peroxidation activity, free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and superoxide anion scavenging activity were assessed of methanol and acetone extract of the lichens in vitro. Extract of Umbilicaria antarctica, Cladonia furcata, Sphaerophorus globosus and Usnea antarctica were found to have strong in vitro antioxidant properties. In general, acetone extract exhibited stronger activities than methanol extract. The activity-guided bioautographic TLC and HPLC analysis demonstrated that lecanoric acid was the main antioxidant compound in the acetone extract of Umbilicaria antarctica, the most potent antioxidant lichen species among the test species. The results suggested that several Antarctic lichens and their substances can be used as novel bioresources of natural antioxidants.

Winter photosynthetic activity of twenty temperate semi-desert sand grassland species

The winter photosynthetic activity (quantified by net CO(2) assimilation rates and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters) of 20 plant species (including two lichens and two mosses) of a Hungarian temperate semi-desert sand grassland was determined on one occasion per year in 1984, 1989 and 1994. Throughout winter, the overwintering green shoots, leaves or thalli were regularly exposed to below zero temperatures at night and daytime temperatures of 0-5 degrees C. In situ tissue temperature varied between -2.1 and +6.9 degrees C and the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) between 137 and 351 micromol m(-2)s(-1). Under these conditions 18 of the grassland species exhibited photosynthetic CO(2) uptake (range: vascular plants ca. 0.2-3.8 micromol m(-2)s(-1), cryptogams 0.3-2.79 micromol kg(-1)s(-1)) and values of 0.9-5.1 of the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio R(Fd). In 1984, Festuca vaginata and Sedum sexangulare had net CO(2) assimilation at leaf temperatures of -0.85 to -1.2 degrees C. In 1989, all species except Cladonia furcata showed net CO(2) assimilation at tissue temperatures of 0 to +3.3 degrees C, with the highest rates observed in Poa bulbosa and F. vaginata. The latter showed a net CO(2) assimilation saturation at a PPFD of 600 micromol m(-2)s(-1) and a temperature optimum between +5 and +18 degrees C. At the 1994 measurements, the photosynthetic rates were higher at higher tissue water contents. The two mosses and lichens had a net photosynthesis (range: 1.1-2.79 micromol CO(2)kg(-1)s(-1)) at 2 degrees C tissue temperature and at 4-5 degrees C air temperature. Ca. 80% of the vascular grassland plant species maintained a positive C-balance during the coldest periods of winter, with photosynthetic rates of 1.5-3.8 micromol CO(2)m(-2)s(-1). In an extremely warm beginning March of the relatively warm winter of 2006/2007, the dicotyledonous plants had much higher CO(2) assimilation rates on a Chl (range 6-14.9 micromol g(-1)Chl s(-1)) and on a dry weight basis (9-48 micromol kg(-1)dw s(-1)) than in the cold winter of 1994. However, the assimilation rates of the three investigated cryptogams (Tortula and two Cladonia) and the two grasses Festuca and Poa were not affected by this increase. The results indicate that the photosynthetic activity of temperate semi-desert sand grassland species can help somewhat in slowing the general CO(2) rise in winter and function as a potential carbon sink of the investigated semi-desert Hungarian grassland species.

Variability of bryophytes and lichens on a forested coastal dune Tõotusemägi in Southwestern Estonia

Variability of bryophytes and lichens on a forested coastal dune Tõotusemägi in Southwestern Estonia Bryophytes and lichens are important in all dry land ecosystems due to their ability to colonize different substrates which are not suitable for vascular plants. They have an important role in vertebrates and invertebrate's food chain and function as a habitat for invertebrates. Nitrogen and carbon cycles in the forest depend greatly on the local bryophyte and lichen flora. The aim of present study was to investigate the frequency and variety of different species of bryophytes and lichens on the forested sand dune Tõotusemägi. The study was carried out on a 183 m long transect running on the western slope of the dune. Identification of bryophyte and lichen species was carried out and zonality of forest ground vegetation was demonstrated. Species were observed on the ground, on litter, on stumps and on trees. On the slope, 26 bryophyte species and 38 lichen species were registered. Dominating bryophyte species were Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp., Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw., Polytrichum piliferum Hedw, Dicranum polysetum Sw., Dicranum scoparium Hedw. Dominating lichen species were Cladina rangiferina (L.) Nyl., Cladina arbuscula (Wallr.) Hale &amp; W. L. Culb., Cladonia furcata (Huds.) Schrad, Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. Dominating species of epiphytic lichens were Hypogymnia physodes (l.) Nyl., Parmelia sulcata Taylor, Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf, Parmeliopsis ambigua (Wulfen) Nyl. and Imshaugia aleurites (Ach.) S. L. F. Meyer. On the slope of the dune 12 different ground vegetation zones were distinguished. Bryophyte species characteristic for humid habitats and tolerant to shade were observed on foot of the dune. This may be caused by a stream flowing nearby which creates a more moist and nutrient rich habitat. The top area of the dune is open to direct UV radiation, therefore lichens and only some bryophyte species tolerant to dryness were observed.

Biosorption of Pb(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solution by lichen ( Cladonia furcata) biomass

Equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies were carried out for the biosorption of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution using the lichen ( Cladonia furcata) biomass. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm models were applied to describe the biosorption of the metal ions onto C. furcata biomass. The influences of pH, biomass dosage, contact time and temperature of solution on the biosorption were studied. Langmuir model fitted the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich isotherm. The monolayer biosorption capacity of the biomass was found to be 12.3 and 7.9 mg/g for Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions, respectively. From the D–R model, the mean free energy was calculated as 9.1 kJ/mol for Pb(II) biosorption and 9.8 kJ/mol for Ni(II) biosorption, indicating that the biosorption of both metal ions was taken place by chemical ion-exchange. Thermodynamic parameters, the change of free energy (Δ G°), enthalpy (Δ H°) and entropy (Δ S°) of the biosorption were also calculated. These parameters showed that the biosorption process of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions onto C. furcata biomass was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic under studied conditions. Experimental data were also tested in terms of kinetic characteristics and it was found that biosorption processes of both metal ions followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics.

Element-Enrichment Factors in Lichens from Terceira, Santa Maria and Madeira Islands (Azores and Madeira Archipelagoes)

In this study, more than 20 minor and trace elements have been determined by INAA (instrumental neutron activation analysis), in different species of lichens in three Portuguese islands of the Central North Atlantic (Santa Maria, Terceira, and Madeira Islands). The foliose species Parmotrema bangii, Parmotrema robustum, Parmotrema crinitum, Flavoparmelia caperata, Platismatia glauca, and the fruiticose species Ramalina canariensis, Ramalina farinacea, Ramalina implectens, Ramalina pusilla, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia coniocraea, Usnea dasaea, Usnea esperantiana, were the collected species. Samples of superficial soils were also collected and the fraction below 64 μ m was analysed. The enrichment factors relative to this fraction using Al as the normalising element were calculated. Fruiticose and foliose lichens displayed different EF values concerning bromine and potassium. The first was more enriched in the foliose species while the latter was more enriched in the fruiticose species and was assigned to the physiological response. Enrichment was found for Mg, Cs, As, Hg, Na, Zn, and Cl, in all the species. Lichen-based concentration patterns were shown for Na, Al, Cl, Br, Sb, Ce, and Hg and compared to similar patterns in Portugal mainland. In general, the patterns compared well except for Cl, Na, and Br. Background levels of the epiphytic lichens collected in the islands were obtained.

Trace Element Concentrations in Ashes from Various Types of Lichen Biomass Species

Lichens are useful as pollution biomonitors because their biomass can strongly concentrate heavy metals, pollutant gases, and radionuclides from aerosol fallout, precipitation, or runoff. Lichens tend to concentrate pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and heavy metals. The results obtained from the analysis of the lichen biomass gave information about the predominant direction of pollutant transportation, while those related to the concentrations found in the air particulate allowed the evaluation of the degree of the local trace metals atmospheric pollution. Sixteen elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Na, B and S) were determined in 17 different lichen biomass genera Cladina rangiferina, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiformis, Cladonia stellaris, Dermatocarpon miniatum, Diploschistes scruposus, Evernia mesomorpha, Hypogymnia physodes, Parmelia caperata, Parmelia sulcata, Peltiqera canina, Physcita adcenders, Pseadevernia furfurace, Xanthoria calcicola, and Xanthoria parietina by atomic absorption (AAS) and spectrophotometric methods. The highest K, Ca, Mn, and Hg concentrations were 5125, 4627, 126.4, and 0.72 mg/kg in Xanthoria parietina, respectively. The highest P, B, S, Zn and Pb concentrations were 1561, 6.18, 1226, 82.72, and 16.82 mg/kg in Parmelia sulcata, respectively. The highest Cu, Ni, Cr, and Cd concentrations were 17.53, 1.75, 15.36 and 3.86 mg/kg in Xanthoria calcicola, respectively. The highest Mg, Al, Fe and Na concentrations were 601.8, 951.8, 925.2 and 76.33 mg/kg in Cladonia pyxidata, respectively.

Comparative studies of the polysaccharides isolated from lichenized fungi of the genus Cladonia: significance as chemotypes

β- D-Glucans of the laminaran type were prepared from 15 Cladonia spp., Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia boryi, Cladonia clathrata, Cladonia connexa, Cladonia crispatula, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia ibitipocae, Cladonia imperialis, Cladonia miniata, Cladonia penicillata, Cladonia salmonea, Cladonia signata, Cladonia substellata and Cladonia uncialis. They were extracted with 10% aqueous KOH at 100°C, giving polysaccharides with varying yields and proportions of mannose, galactose and glucose. Their aqueous solutions were freeze–thawed giving precipitates of mixed α-glucan (nigeran) and β-glucans, which were isolated and suspended in aqueous 0.5% KOH at 50°C, which preferentially dissolved the β-glucan. In the case of the C. uncialis product, it was subjected to methylation analysis, which gave rise to 2,4,6-tri- O-methylglucitol acetate only, corresponding to (1→3)-linkages. Its specific rotation (+4°) and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were consistent with β-linkages. 13C and 1H-1 signals were observed, respectively, at δ 102.8 (C-1), 86.0 (C-3), 76.2 (C-5), 72.6 (C-2), 68.3 (C-4) and 60.7 (C-6), and 4.55 (H-1), 3.31 (H-2), 3.49 (H-3), 3.27 (H-4), 3.27 (H-5), 3.48 (H-6) and 3.72 (H-6′). Similar 13C-NMR spectra were obtained from the glucans from the other 14 Cladonia spp. The β- D-glucans of the laminaran type seems to be present in all Cladonia spp. being significant for chemotyping since it was observed in every species studied.

Radioactive contamination in lichens collected from akçaabat and çamlihemşin in the eastern black sea region of turkey, 1994

Radioactivity levels in lichens collected from Akcaabat and Camlihemsin in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey were investigated. Radioactive pollution was detected in all samples and varied with species, area and location. The highest concentrations of Cs‐137 were found in Parmelia perlata, Parmelia caperata, Parmelia conspersa, Xanthoria parietina, Diploschistes ocellatus, Cladonia portentosa and Dermatocarpon miniatum and the lowest activity in Peltigera praetextata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia rangiformis and Lobaria pulmonaria. A great variation was not observed among the individuals of Peltigera praetextata and Parmelia caperata collected from Akcaabat and Camlihem, in.