Usnic acid, as a biotic factor, changes the ploidy level in mosses. Issue 5 (8th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goga, Michal; Ručová, Dajana; Kolarčik, Vladislav; Sabovljević, Marko; Bačkor, Martin; Lang, Ingeborg
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 8:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 2781
• Page End: 2787
• Publication Date: 2018-02-08
• Subjects: endopolyploidy -- flow cytometry -- lichens -- mosses -- usnic acid; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3908
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Lichens and mosses often share the same environmental conditions where they compete for substrate and other essential factors. Lichens use secondary metabolites as allelochemicals to repel surrounding plants and potential rivals. In mosses, endoreduplication leads to the occurrence of various ploidy levels in the same individual and has been suggested as an adaptation to abiotic stresses. Here, we show that also biotic factors such as usnic acid, an allelochemical produced by lichens, directly influenced the level of ploidy in mosses. Application of usnic acid changed the nuclei proportion and significantly enhanced the endoreduplication index in two moss species, Physcomitrella patens and Pohlia drummondii . These investigations add a new aspect on secondary metabolites of lichens which count as biotic factors and affect ploidy levels in mosses. Abstract : Lichens use secondary metabolites as allelochemicals to repel surrounding plants and potential rivals. In mosses, endoreduplication leads to the occurrence of various ploidy levels in the same individual and has been suggested as an adaptation to abiotic stresses. Here, we show that also biotic factors such as usnic acid, an allelochemical produced by lichens, directly influenced the level of ploidy in mosses.