Scholarlink

Abstract <p>This study focused on the molecular identification and morphological characterization of two saxicolous lichens, <i>Gloeoheppia erosa</i> and <i>Gloeoheppia trugida</i>, from arid desert environments in Saudi Arabia. Belonging to the family <i>Gloeoheppiaceae</i>, these lichens are well-adapted to extreme desert conditions. Using ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we confirmed the species identities, with <i>G. erosa</i> showing 99% similarity to the reference sequences in GenBank and <i>G. trugida</i> exhibiting 97% similarity. Detailed morphological and anatomical analyses revealed key adaptations, including a crustose thallus, robust upper cortex, and specialized reproductive strategies that enhance resilience to desiccation, intense solar radiation, and nutrient scarcity. Microbial profiling identified the dominant bacterial genera, <i>Arthrobacter</i>, <i>Bradyrhizobium</i>, and <i>Halomonas</i>, which play crucial roles in nitrogen fixation, stress tolerance, and osmoregulation, contributing to the survival of lichens in these harsh environments. Notably, <i>G. erosa</i> hosted unique taxa such as <i>Prochlorococcus marinus</i>, emphasizing its reliance on photosynthesis in nutrient-poor, sunlight-rich settings, whereas <i>G. trugida</i> was characterized by a greater focus on desiccation resistance with such species as <i>Arthrobacter</i> sp. ZM06. Furthermore, we investigated the potential hypolithic lifestyle of these lichens by analyzing their colonization of ventral rock surfaces and assessing how the bacterial communities in these sheltered environments differ from those found in inland habitats. The results revealed distinct structural and compositional features of lichen-dominated hypolithic communities, emphasizing their specialized adaptations to harsh desert microenvironments. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the ecological roles and evolutionary strategies of lichens and their microbial symbionts in extreme desert ecosystems.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Associations and Ecological Adaptations of Two Hypolithic Gloeoheppia Lichen Species in Arid Desert Environments

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月17日

查看全文
  • S. A. Alrobaish

摘要

Abstract

This study focused on the molecular identification and morphological characterization of two saxicolous lichens, Gloeoheppia erosa and Gloeoheppia trugida, from arid desert environments in Saudi Arabia. Belonging to the family Gloeoheppiaceae, these lichens are well-adapted to extreme desert conditions. Using ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we confirmed the species identities, with G. erosa showing 99% similarity to the reference sequences in GenBank and G. trugida exhibiting 97% similarity. Detailed morphological and anatomical analyses revealed key adaptations, including a crustose thallus, robust upper cortex, and specialized reproductive strategies that enhance resilience to desiccation, intense solar radiation, and nutrient scarcity. Microbial profiling identified the dominant bacterial genera, Arthrobacter, Bradyrhizobium, and Halomonas, which play crucial roles in nitrogen fixation, stress tolerance, and osmoregulation, contributing to the survival of lichens in these harsh environments. Notably, G. erosa hosted unique taxa such as Prochlorococcus marinus, emphasizing its reliance on photosynthesis in nutrient-poor, sunlight-rich settings, whereas G. trugida was characterized by a greater focus on desiccation resistance with such species as Arthrobacter sp. ZM06. Furthermore, we investigated the potential hypolithic lifestyle of these lichens by analyzing their colonization of ventral rock surfaces and assessing how the bacterial communities in these sheltered environments differ from those found in inland habitats. The results revealed distinct structural and compositional features of lichen-dominated hypolithic communities, emphasizing their specialized adaptations to harsh desert microenvironments. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the ecological roles and evolutionary strategies of lichens and their microbial symbionts in extreme desert ecosystems.