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THE COLONIZATION OF A SLATE ROCK SURFACE BY A LICHEN
Author(s) -
ARMSTRONG R. A.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1978.tb01606.x
Subject(s) - thallus , lichen , colonization , biology , geology , botany , ecology
SUMMARY Thalli of Parmelia glabratula ssp. fuliginosa on a vertical slate rock surface in South Gwynedd were significantly larger at the top of the face than at the bottom. The radial growth rates of the thalli measured over 1 year were not correlated with height on the face or with variation in thallus diameter down the face. These results suggest that the lichen thalli may be older at the top than at the bottom and are consistent with the hypothesis that the lichen colonized the top of the face first and then gradually spread downwards.