14.05.2019: Lucia MUGGIA (Triest): Diversity of mycobiont-photobiont associations in lichen symbioses, HS 31.11, Institut für Biologie, Bereich Pflanzenwissenschaften, Schubertstraße 51, 17.00 Uhr
Lichen symbioses are complex and coordinate associations between fungi (mycobionts) and algae (photobionts). The associated partners can propagate either independently or jointly. The independent propagation forces the mycobionts to find and reassociate with suitable photobionts. Alternatively, the joint dispersal of the symbionts avoids the problems of possible low partner availability in the environment and allows faster colonization of free habitats. Variable patterns of mycobiont-photobiont associations have been detected in lichens, but it is still unclear how this variation correlates with symbiont selectivity patterns, especially in lichens that are geographically widespread and form species-complexes or adopt different dispersal strategies. Here I present an overview of studies based on molecular and culture-dependent approaches which uncovered the diversity of mycobiont and photobiont in different groups of lichens.