Lichens

[Fungus]

It makes it very difficult to explain why which lichens are where they are and why.

 

Ben,

They were the first organisms originating from a symbiosis of cyanobacteria and microfungi, which came from the sea and went on land in the Devonium period, 400 million years ago, where they lived and evolved under extreme climate and atmospheric conditions. The largest thalli ever produced by a Prototaxites species were up to 8 metres high and 1,25 metres in diameter and looked like a multiple branched Mexican cactus. If you're ever in the German Eifel region, visit the Devonium Waxweiler museum to see fossiles of Prototaxites (and many other plants and animals from that period), which were found in a quarry just outside the village of Waxweiler.

[David Humphries]

Ben,

They were the first organisms originating from a symbiosis of cyanobacteria and microfungi, which came from the sea and went on land in the Devonium period, 400 million years ago, where they lived and evolved under extreme climate and atmospheric conditions. The largest thalli ever produced by a Prototaxites species were up to 8 metres high and 1,25 metres in diameter and looked like a multiple branched Mexican cactus. If you're ever in the German Eifel region, visit the Devonium Waxweiler museum to see fossiles of Prototaxites (and many other plants and animals from that period), which were found in a quarry just outside the village of Waxweiler.

 

 

 

So is current thinking that Prototaxites is a fungus or an algae

 

 

 

Image taken from google.

Edited May 7, 2011 by Monkey-D

[BenR]

Ben,

They were the first organisms originating from a symbiosis of cyanobacteria and microfungi, which came from the sea and went on land in the Devonium period, 400 million years ago, where they lived and evolved under extreme climate and atmospheric conditions. The largest thalli ever produced by a Prototaxites species were up to 8 metres high and 1,25 metres in diameter and looked like a multiple branched Mexican cactus. If you're ever in the German Eifel region, visit the Devonium Waxweiler museum to see fossiles of Prototaxites (and many other plants and animals from that period), which were found in a quarry just outside the village of Waxweiler.

 

Sorry Fungus, I think you I could have written that better. I mean where and why in relation to current distribution of communities as a result of different factors influencing their locations and abndances... In that pollution, light availability, bark pH etc etc will influence them but it is hard to determine which factors have the most influence. If I email you my dissertation, you may understand where I am coming from/my questions and interest better.

 

Cool insight into the evolution of lichens, thanks.

[Fungus]

So is current thinking that Prototaxites is a fungus or an algae

 

David,

No, it originally was diagnosed as a fungus, but recent research has identified it as a lichen, which is not a fungus or an algae, but a fungus and an algae living in symbiosis.

[David Humphries]

David,

No, it originally was diagnosed as a fungus, but recent research has identified it as a lichen, which is not a fungus or an algae, but a fungus and an algae living in symbiosis.

 

 

 

That's cleared that up then

 

 

I just had the impression that the 'definitive conclusion' on it's heritage keeps on changing

 

 

 

 

.

[Fungus]

I mean where and why in relation to current distribution of communities as a result of different factors influencing their locations and abndances... In that pollution, light availability, bark pH etc etc will influence them but it is hard to determine which factors have the most influence.

 

Ben,

I did understand what you ment, I offered an extra explanation on the even today impressive adaptability to pollution of lichens coming from the far more extreme living conditions in the Devonium period.

[BenR]

Ben,

I did understand what you ment, I offered an extra explanation on the even today impressive adaptability to pollution of lichens coming from the far more extreme living conditions in the Devonium period.

 

I see, when I read it in that context I see what you are getting at. Thanks:biggrin:

[ben lightfoot]

I was looking at some images of lichens and noticed this one Fuscidea lightfootii (no i didn't google my name). Im well chuffed my name is actually not looking to bad now.

[BenR]

Slimey green and covered in black spots.. Sounds like someone I know:001_tt2:

[RobArb]

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