Trebouxia is a genus of green algae that forms a symbiotic relationship with fungi to create lichens. As the photobiont partner in this symbiosis, Trebouxia provides the photosynthetically produced carbohydrates that the fungus relies on for nutrition and growth.
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Trebouxia is the most common genus of green algae found in lichen symbioses, occurring in over 20% of all known lichen species.
The Trebouxia algae provide the majority of carbohydrates needed by the fungal partner through photosynthesis, allowing the lichen to thrive in nutrient-poor environments.
Different species of Trebouxia can form associations with a wide variety of fungal partners, contributing to the diversity of lichen forms and habitats.
Trebouxia algae are resistant to desiccation and can survive harsh environmental conditions, enabling lichens to colonize a broad range of substrates.
The specific Trebouxia species present in a lichen can be used as a diagnostic feature to identify different lichen species.
Review Questions
Explain the role of Trebouxia in the lichen symbiosis.
As the photobiont partner in the lichen symbiosis, Trebouxia is responsible for producing organic compounds through photosynthesis. These carbohydrates are then provided to the fungal partner, the mycobiont, which relies on them for nutrition and growth. The Trebouxia algae are essential for the lichen's ability to thrive in nutrient-poor environments, as they supply the majority of the required carbohydrates to sustain the overall symbiosis.
Describe the diversity of Trebouxia-fungal associations in lichens.
Trebouxia is known to form associations with a wide variety of fungal partners, contributing to the remarkable diversity of lichen forms and habitats. Different species of Trebouxia can establish symbiotic relationships with numerous fungal species, allowing lichens to colonize a broad range of substrates and environmental conditions. This flexibility in Trebouxia-fungal pairings is a key factor in the ecological success and adaptability of lichens as a whole.
Analyze the significance of Trebouxia's resistance to desiccation in the lichen symbiosis.
The ability of Trebouxia algae to resist desiccation is a crucial adaptation that enables lichens to thrive in harsh environmental conditions. By being able to withstand periods of low water availability, the Trebouxia partner can continue to provide carbohydrates to the fungus, even when the lichen is subjected to environmental stresses such as drought or extreme temperatures. This resistance to desiccation is a key factor in allowing lichens to colonize a wide range of substrates, from bare rock to tree bark, and contribute to their ecological success in nutrient-poor or water-limited habitats.
The fungal partner in a lichen symbiosis, which provides structural support and water/nutrient absorption for the partnership.
Lichen Symbiosis: The mutualistic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, such as an alga or cyanobacterium, that results in the formation of a lichen.