Lichens are symbiotic consortia, typically between a filamentous fungus (mycobiont) and one or more photosynthetic partners (photobionts), usually green algae or cyanobacteria, forming a self-sustaining thallus distinct from the individual partners. They exhibit highly integrated physiology, including coordinated nutrient exchange, specialized morphological structures (e.g., cortex, medulla, photobiont layer), and stress-tolerance mechanisms that enable colonization of nutrient-poor or extreme habitats. Lichens are key topics in studies of symbiosis, bioindication, and ecosystem functioning, where they serve as sensitive indicators of air quality, primary colonizers in succession, and contributors to biogeochemical cycling, especially nitrogen and carbon dynamics.
Jessica Allen crunched through fallen leaves among Manzanita trees hunting for something few have spotted before: the Manzanita butter clump—a rare and little-known yellow mushroom found, so far, only along North America's ...
Ecology
Feb 17, 2026
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A research team from the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), in collaboration with Argentina's Center for Advanced Studies in Earth Sciences and Biodiversity (CADIC-CONICET), ...
Plants & Animals
Nov 14, 2025
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30
Vibrant orange-colored lichens are helping scientists discover dinosaur fossils in Canada, according to a study published in Current Biology.
Ecology
Nov 3, 2025
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210
Lichens were already widespread more than 410 million years ago, according to a new international study that identifies a fossil from Brazil as one of the oldest lichen in Earth's history.
Ecology
Oct 30, 2025
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146
The question of whether Earth is alone in harboring life has captivated humanity for millennia. In recent years, scientists have turned to Earth-like planets in other solar systems that may show the most promise, but many ...
Astrobiology
Jun 25, 2025
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88
For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that certain lichen species can survive Mars-like conditions, including exposure to ionizing radiation, while maintaining a metabolically active state.
Astrobiology
Apr 1, 2025
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409
Once you know where to look for them, lichens are everywhere. These composite organisms—fungal and photosynthetic partners joined into a greater whole—can survive on a vast array of surfaces, from rocks and trees to bare ...
Astrobiology
Oct 11, 2024
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