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Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

Knight, Kathryn B. [1], St. Clair, Samuel B. [3], Hunter, Wesley [1], Jackson, Gary L. [2], St. Clair, Larry L. [1].

Habitat-induced morphological differences in two populations of the vagrant lichens Rhizoplaca haydenii and Xanthoparmelia vagans.

Two vagrant, terricolous lichens, Rhizoplaca haydenii and Xanthoparmelia vagans, have been observed at different elevations in the Lemhi valley and adjacent mountain ranges of north central Idaho. Current evidence suggests that higher elevation populations were “transplanted” from lower elevation sites by domestic sheep over the last 130 years. We hypothesize that elevation influences thallus growth and development. Extensive collections were made of both species from lower and upper elevation sites. One hundred individuals of each species from each population were randomly selected and tested for morphological and chemical differences. Both taxa are significantly smaller with fewer and shorter lobes, and reduced morphological complexity at the upper elevation site. TLC data provide additional documentation that populations from the two elevations are the same species. Some differences in secondary chemistry were site specific with some unique chemistry common to both species at the upper elevation. The observed morphological differences between high and low elevation populations may be due to a reduced metabolic window at the upper elevation area; a condition addressed by both species with a smaller, morphologically reduced thallus. Preliminary chlorophyll fluorescence data support this conclusion.


1 - Brigham Young University, Department of Integrative Biology, P.O. Box 5181, Provo, Utah, 84602, USA
2 - USDA Forest Service, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Salmon, Idaho, 83467
3 - Penn State University, Intercollegiate Grad Program in Ecological and Molecular Plant Physiol, Penn State University, Univesity Park, Pennsylvania, 16802

Keywords:
lichen
habitat
morphology
elevation.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 47-3
Location: Magpie (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2004
Time: 9:00 AM
Abstract ID:537


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