Protocols in Lichenology - Culturing, Biochemistry, Ecophysiology and Use in Biomonitoring

As an intricate association between a fungus and one or more green algae or cyanobacteria, lichens are one of the most successful examples of symbiosis. These fascinating organisms survive extreme desiccation and temperatures. They are adapted to a great variety of habitats, from deserts to intertidal zones, from tropical rain forests to the peaks of the Himalayas and to circumpolar ecosystems. Lichens are extremely efficient accumulators of atmospherically deposited pollutants, and are therefore widely used to monitor environmental pollution. Their wide range of secondary products show pharmaceutically interesting fungicidal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lichens are extremely difficult to culture. This manual provides well-tested tissue culture protocols, protocols for studying lichen ultrastructure, (eco)physiology, primary and secondary compounds, and for using lichens as bioindicators.

List of contents

Culture and Cultivation.- 1 Isolation and Culture of Lichen Photobionts and Mycobionts.- 2 Culture of Thallus Fragments and Redifferentiation of Lichens.- 3 Resynthesis of Photosymbiodemes.- 4 Protoplast Isolation from Lichen Mycobionts.- 5 Differentiation Processes in Lichens-in Vivo Cultivation and Transplantation Methods.- 6 Isolation and Culture of Lichenicolous Fungi.- Ultrastructure.- 7 Preparative Techniques for Transmission Electron Microscopy and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of Lichens.- 8 Preparative Techniques for Low Temperature Scanning Electron Microscopy of Lichens.- Physiology and Ecophysiology.- 9 Measurement of Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Lichens.- 10 Characterising Photosynthesis and Respiration in Freshly Isolated or Cultured Lichen Photobionts.- 11 Analysis of Ethylene and ACC in Lichens.- 12 Measuring Activities of the Enzymes Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Reductase in Lichens.- 13 Studying the Effects of Elevated Concentrations of Carbon Dioxide on Lichens Using Open Top Chambers.- 14 In situ Measurements of the Water Content of Lichens.- 15 Determination of the Parameters of Liehen Water Relations.- 16 Measurement of Lichen Growth.- Lichen Compounds.- 17 Analysis of Phenolic Products in Lichens for Identification and Taxonomy.- 18 Investigating the Production of Secondary Compounds in Cultured Lichen Mycobionts.- 19 Analysing Lichen Enzymes by Isoelectricfocussing.- 20 Analysis of Lipids in Lichens.- 21 Measuring Ergosterol and Chitin in Lichens.- 22 Analysis of Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, and Tocopherols in Lichens.- Nucleic acids.- 23 Isolation of Nucleic Acids from Lichens.- 24 PCR Techniques and Automated Sequencing in Lichens.- 25 RAPD-PCR of Lichens.- Bioindication and Biomonitoring.- 26 Biomonitoring Radionuclide Depositionwith Lichens.- 27 Biomonitoring Heavy Metal Pollution with Lichens.- 28 Bioindication of Sulphur Dioxide Pollution with Lichens.- Biodiversity and Information Systems.- 29 Management of a Lichen Herbarium.- 30 Documentation of Lichens by Macrophotography.- 31 Computer-Aided Identification Systems for Biology, with Particular Reference to Lichens.- 32 On-line Documentation of Lichen Biodiversity.

Summary

As an intricate association between a fungus and one or more green algae or cyanobacteria, lichens are one of the most successful examples of symbiosis. These fascinating organisms survive extreme desiccation and temperatures. They are adapted to a great variety of habitats, from deserts to intertidal zones, from tropical rain forests to the peaks of the Himalayas and to circumpolar ecosystems. Lichens are extremely efficient accumulators of atmospherically deposited pollutants, and are therefore widely used to monitor environmental pollution. Their wide range of secondary products show pharmaceutically interesting fungicidal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lichens are extremely difficult to culture. This manual provides well-tested tissue culture protocols, protocols for studying lichen ultrastructure, (eco)physiology, primary and secondary compounds, and for using lichens as bioindicators.

Additional text

From the reviews:
"The aim of the reviewed book is to facilitate the experimental study of lichens by providing detail protocols of analytical methods well-tested in specialised laboratories. … Each chapter of the book is accompanied by a list of important references. An attached glossary of morphological terms and subject index are also helpful for a potential user. The reviewed book represents an invaluable and unique collection of the most recent methodical approaches to the experimental study of lichens … ." (J. Gloser, Photosynthetica, Vol. 40 (3), 2002)
"This compendium of techniques for handling lichens experimentally is a useful reference for both research and teaching. … this volume also includes many helpful little tricks that do not usually appear in published research papers, as well as designs for practical devices … . The book ends with an interesting collection of contributions related to the handling of specimens and data, along with a chapter by V. Wirth on lichen photography. This volume is really a functional working manual." (Dianne Fahselt, The Lichenologist, Vol. 34 (3), 2002)
"This practical guide pulls together a corpus of useful methodological material from a wide variety of sources. Thirty-two chapters, contributed by specialists in their fields, provide detailed descriptions of or more protocols necessary for the experimental lichenologist. … the volume under review contains a wealth of practical advice (in terms of materials, procedures and trouble-shooting, often supported by extensive lists of references), some of which will have wider relevance beyond the lichenologist’s requirements." (The Naturalist, 2002)
"This is a welcome addition to the series because lichenological methods are seldom documented in texts on mycology, phycology or plant science. Methods described are wide ranging, most are lab procedures, but some are field-based … . Instructions are more explicit than is usually ina research paper, and include useful tips, warnings of potential pitfalls, and sections on troubleshooting. … this pleasingly produced volume is a creditable starting point. It is essential buying for lichenologists and deserves a place in institutional libraries … ." (Peter Crittenden, Microbiology Today, Vol. 29, August, 2002)

Report

From the reviews:
"The aim of the reviewed book is to facilitate the experimental study of lichens by providing detail protocols of analytical methods well-tested in specialised laboratories. ... Each chapter of the book is accompanied by a list of important references. An attached glossary of morphological terms and subject index are also helpful for a potential user. The reviewed book represents an invaluable and unique collection of the most recent methodical approaches to the experimental study of lichens ... ." (J. Gloser, Photosynthetica, Vol. 40 (3), 2002)
"This compendium of techniques for handling lichens experimentally is a useful reference for both research and teaching. ... this volume also includes many helpful little tricks that do not usually appear in published research papers, as well as designs for practical devices ... . The book ends with an interesting collection of contributions related to the handling of specimens and data, along with a chapter by V. Wirth on lichen photography. This volume is really a functional working manual." (Dianne Fahselt, The Lichenologist, Vol. 34 (3), 2002)
"This practical guide pulls together a corpus of useful methodological material from a wide variety of sources. Thirty-two chapters, contributed by specialists in their fields, provide detailed descriptions of or more protocols necessary for the experimental lichenologist. ... the volume under review contains a wealth of practical advice (in terms of materials, procedures and trouble-shooting, often supported by extensive lists of references), some of which will have wider relevance beyond the lichenologist's requirements." (The Naturalist, 2002)
"This is a welcome addition to the series because lichenological methods are seldom documented in texts on mycology, phycology or plant science. Methods described are wide ranging, most are lab procedures, but some are field-based ... . Instructions are more explicit than is usually ina research paper, and include useful tips, warnings of potential pitfalls, and sections on troubleshooting. ... this pleasingly produced volume is a creditable starting point. It is essential buying for lichenologists and deserves a place in institutional libraries ... ." (Peter Crittenden, Microbiology Today, Vol. 29, August, 2002)

Product details

• Assisted by: Richar Beckett (Editor), Richard Beckett (Editor), Richard P. Beckett (Editor), Ilse Kranner (Editor), Ilse C. Kranner (Editor), Ajit Varma (Editor), Ajit K. Varma (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.10.2001
• EAN: 9783540411390
• ISBN: 978-3-540-41139-0
• No. of pages: 580
• Weight: 1346 g
• Illustrations: XVI, 580 p. 41 illus., 1 illus. in color.
• Series: Springer Lab Manuals; Springer Lab Manual; Springer Lab Manual; Springer Lab Manuals
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Botany; Biotechnologie, Umweltchemie, C, Ökologie, Biosphäre, TEMPERATURE, Botany, Ecology, biochemistry, biotechnology, environmental science, engineering & technology, Ecological science, the Biosphere, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Chemistry, Ecotoxicology, Plant Science, Plant Sciences, reductase