7 research outputs found
Airborne trace elements near a petrochemical industrial complex in Thailand assessed by the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum (Despr. ex Nyl.) Hale
Several trace elements discharged by the petrochemical industry are toxic to humans and the ecosystem. In this study, we assessed airborne trace elements in the vicinity of the Map Ta Phut petrochemical industrial complex in Thailand by transplanting the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum to eight industrial, two rural, and one clean air sites between October 2013 and June 2014. After 242 days, the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, and Zn in lichens at most industrial sites were higher than those at the rural and the control sites; in particular, As, Cu, Mo, Sb, V, and Zn were significantly higher than at the control site (p < 0.05). Contamination factors (CFs) indicated that Cd, Cu, Mo, and Sb, which have severe health impacts, heavily contaminated at most industrial sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that most elements were associated with industry, with lesser contributions from traffic and agriculture. Based on the pollution load indexes (PLIs), two industrial sites were highly polluted, five were moderately polluted, and one had a low pollution level, whereas the pollution load at the rural sites was comparable to background levels. This study reinforces the utility of lichens as cost-effective biomonitors of airborne elements, suitable for use in developing countries, where adequate numbers of air monitoring instruments are unavailable due to financial, technical, and policy constraints
ความหลากหลายชนิดและนิเวศวิทยาของไลเคนอิงอาศัยในป่าเต็งรังในอุทยานแห่งชาติเขาใหญ่ ประเทศไทย
Using target enrichment sequencing to study the higher-level phylogeny of the largest lichen-forming fungi family: Parmeliaceae (Ascomycota)
Abstract Parmeliaceae is the largest family of lichen-forming fungi with a worldwide distribution. We used a target enrichment data set and a qualitative selection method for 250 out of 350 genes to infer the phylogeny of the major clades in this family including 81 taxa, with both subfamilies and all seven major clades previously recognized in the subfamily Parmelioideae. The reduced genome-scale data set was analyzed using concatenated-based Bayesian inference and two different Maximum Likelihood analyses, and a coalescent-based species tree method. The resulting topology was strongly supported with the majority of nodes being fully supported in all three concatenated-based analyses. The two subfamilies and each of the seven major clades in Parmelioideae were strongly supported as monophyletic. In addition, most backbone relationships in the topology were recovered with high nodal support. The genus Parmotrema was found to be polyphyletic and consequently, it is suggested to accept the genus Crespoa to accommodate the species previously placed in Parmotrema subgen. Crespoa. This study demonstrates the power of reduced genome-scale data sets to resolve phylogenetic relationships with high support. Due to lower costs, target enrichment methods provide a promising avenue for phylogenetic studies including larger taxonomic/specimen sampling than whole genome data would allow
‘Missing links’ alive? Novel taxa represent morphological transitions between distinctive phenotypes among extant Graphidaceae (lichenized Ascomycota: Ostropales)
We provide an updated account on the species of the Cruentotrema-Dyplolabia clade in Graphidaceae subfamily Fissurinoideae, describing three new species: Cruentotrema lirelliforme J. Kalb, Polyiam & K. Kalb, differing from Cruentotrema thailandicum in the lirelliform ascomata; Dyplolabia chumphonensis J. Kalb & K. Kalb, differing from Dyplolabia oryzoides by smaller ascospores; and Dyplolabia dalywaiana Rivas Plata, Bawingan & Lucking, differing from other Dyplolabia species in the angular, erumpent asomata with broadly exposed disc and irregular pseudocolumella. In addition, two further species are recognized as new combinations: Cruentotrema puniceum (Mull. Arg.) J. Kalb & K. Kalb (Bas.: Arthothelium puniceum Mull. Arg.; syn.: Thelotrema rhododiscum Homchant. & Coppins) and Dyplolabia ochrocheila (Vain.) Rivas Plata & Lucking (Bas.: Graphis ochrocheila Vain.). Cruentotrema kurandense is reported as new to Thailand. Altogether, 11 species are now recognized in the two genera, six in Cruentotrema and five in Dyplolabia. In view of the disparate morphology of the two genera, the discovery of two of the three new species is highlighted as phenotypically transitional taxa, so-called 'missing links', and the phylogeny of this clade is revised
New Species of Parmotrema and Relicina (Ascomycota, Parmeliaceae from Thailand
Parmotrema euplectinum and Relicina polycarpa are reported as new to science. In addition, Relicina palmata and R. subconnivens are reported for the first time from Thailand
100 Lichens from Thailand: a tutorial for students
This is the printable version of an interactive identification tool for 100 species of lichens commonly occurring in Thailand, prepared on the occasion of a workshop held in Bangkok in June 2017. Of course, this guide cannot be used to identify all lichens found in the Country, but it may be useful as a tutorial in workshops and courses for students and beginners, who will be asked to identify only the species which are included in the key. In this way, they will learn the basic terminology, and will make the first steps in lichen identification. The dichotomous key is also available in several stand-alone versions: printable, CD-Rom, and for mobile devices via the free app KeyToNature (Android and iOS). The key has been created using program FRIDA at the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Trieste (Italy), and will be further tested and implemented at the Department of Biology of the Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, to encompass a broader set of species
A new checklist of lichenized fungi occurring in Thailand
A new revised checklist of lichenized fungi in Thailand is presented, including 1,292 species. Recent work on the taxonomy of these organisms in Thailand resulted in an enormous increase in our knowledge of the lichen biota of the country – the current checklist includes more than twice as many species as the previous catalogue published 15 years ago – and phylogenetic studies resulted in numerous changes in the generic classification of lichenized fungi. Hence, a new checklist is here presented summarizing the current knowledge of lichens in Thailand. Six new records are reported, viz. Acanthothecis salazinica, Bactrospora metabola, Buellia parastata, Diploschistes cinereocaesius, Rolfidium coccocarpioides, and Trapelia placodioides. Five previously recorded species, namely Lecanora carpinea, Platismatia glauca, P. lacunosa, P. tuckermanii and Roccella phycopsis are shown to be based on misidentifications and are excluded from the checklist. Three new combinations of species previously placed in Pertusaria to Lepra are proposed: L. bulolensis (A.W.Archer, Elix &amp; Streimann) Schmitt &amp; Lumbsch, L. patellifera (A.W.Archer) Schmitt &amp; Lumbsch, and L. subventosa (Malme) Schmitt &amp; Lumbsch.
Asia, biodiversity, lichens, new records, taxonom
