Lichen

Lichens are a symbiosis of at least two quite different organisms. The partnership always involves a fungus, which lives with one or more partners which can do photosynthesis. The photobiont^[1] partner may be a green alga and/or a cyanobacterium.^[2]^p5,6,13

The algae or bacteria live inside the fungus, and exchange nutrients with it. The lichen is different in shape and mode of life from any of the partners. It is a distinct form of life. Botanists did not know this until about 1875.^[3]

There are more than 2,000 species in Britain and Ireland alone, many of which are found in temperate rainforests.^[4]

↑ photosynthesis+bio = photobiont
↑ Cite error: The named reference Purvis was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
↑ de Bary, Anton 1879. Die Erscheinung der Symbiosis. In Verlag auf der Versammlung der Naturforscher und Artze zu Cassel. Strassburg.
↑ Rescue mission for UK rainforests’ weird treasures [1]

[1] tosynthesis+bio = photobiont

[Purvis-2] Cite error: The named reference Purvis was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).

[Anton-3] Bary, Anton 1879. Die Erscheinung der Symbiosis. In Verlag auf der Versammlung der Naturforscher und Artze zu Cassel. Strassburg.

[4] Rescue mission for UK rainforests’ weird treasures [1]

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