Lichen phycobiomes as source of biodiversity for microalgae of the Stichococcus-like genera

Abstract The term phycobiome was recently introduced to designate all the microalgae (primary or non-primary) associated with lichen symbioses. Abundant non-primary symbiotic are usually obtained from isolations, confirming that thalli a source of biodiversity and new species. In this study, were isolated Buellia zoharyi , Ramalina farinacea Parmotrema pseudotinctorum collected in Iberian Peninsula Canary Islands. Excluding Trebouxia phycobionts, 17 strains similar Stichococcus ( Prasiola clade) obtained. Molecular identification carried out by nuclear ITS sequencing, phylogenetic tree generated these sequences, grouping them into 4 clades: Diplosphaera chodatti sp.1. Deuterostichocuccus Tritostichococcus coniocybes . It is also noteworthy sp.1 detected three phylogenetically distant lichenized fungi B. R. P. ), which sampled ecologically different localities, namely Tenerife, La Gomera Castellón. These results reinforce idea constant presence certain which, despite not being main primary photobiont, probably form part lichen’s phycobiomes.