Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2002; 4(2): 273-280
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-25734
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Juvenile Development of the Cyanolichen Lobaria scrobiculata and the Green Algal Lichens Platismatia glauca and Platismatia norvegica in a Boreal Picea abies Forest

O. Hilmo 1 , S. Ott 2
  • 1 Department of Botany, Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
  • 2 Botanisches Institut, Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr.1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

May 30, 2001

January 21, 2002

Publication Date:
26 April 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Juvenile development from sown vegetative diaspores of the cyanobacterial lichen Lobaria scrobiculata and the green algal lichens Platismatia glauca and P. norvegica was studied through a four-year field experiment in a boreal spruce forest. All three species developed juvenile thalli within the period of observation. The largest lobules of L. scrobiculata and Platismatia were 0.4 mm and 1.3 mm, respectively, four years after sowing the diaspores. The first very tiny lobule (0.1 mm) of L. scrobiculata was observed 29 months after sowing the soredia. This period of juvenile development is the longest period so far reported for lichens. A long phase of dormancy, after the diaspores were attached to the substrate, was characteristic for the investigated species. Apical growth of the isidia of Platismatia glauca and P. norvegica was not observed until 21 months after sowing. Low light levels, low temperatures and snow covering the diaspores during winter, causes a short growth season in boreal spruce forests. These factors might explain the long period for juvenile development. The results indicate a slow rate of colonization of a new habitat for the investigated species since they need several years to grow to visible thalli.

References

O. Hilmo

Department of Botany
Faculty of Chemistry and Biology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology

7491 Trondheim
Norway

Email: olga.hilmo@chembio.ntnu.no

Section Editor: H. M. Jahns