1. The multi-purpose role of hairiness in the lichens of coastal environments: Insights from Seirophora villosa (Ach.) FrödénElisabetta Bianchi, Renato Benesperi, Ilaria Colzi, Andrea Coppi, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Luca Paoli, Alessio Papini, Sara Pignattelli, Corrado Tani, Pamela Vignolini, Cristina Gonnelli, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: The fruticose epiphytic lichen Seirophora villosa, strictly associated with Juniperus shrublands in the
Mediterranean basin, was used to investigate the role of hairiness on a lichen thallus, as a characteristic morphological
trait. We evaluated the effect of hair removal on the physiological parameters of a set of samples,
during desiccation and on exposure to different salt concentrations. Hairy thalli were less affected by salt,
suggesting that during dehydration, the presence of hair protects the thallus from light irradiance, oxidative
stresses and the lipid peroxidation generated by free radicals, and could offer passive, but selective, water
control. Our results showed that hair could not only increase thallus surface and promote water absorption when
availability is low, but could also repel the salt dissolved in water by activating a passive resistance mechanism,
by preventing salt entering.
Keywords: Antioxidant activity
Chlorophyll a fluorescence
Juniperus shrublands
Hair
MDA
Salt stress
Published in RUNG: 20.04.2020; Views: 3577; Downloads: 0
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