Xanthoria Parietina - Reproduction and Dispersal

Reproduction and Dispersal

A large number of lichens disperse very effectively by means of symbiotic vegetative propagules such as soredia, isidia and blastidia, and thallus fragmentation. However, X. parietina does not produce the vegetative propagules, but has to establish the symbiotic state at each reproductive cycle. It has been demonstrated that two orbatid mite species, Trhypochtonius tectorum, and Trichoribates trimaculatus, common inhabitant and consumers of X. parietina, are vectors of the photobiont cells. Faecal pellets of both species contain both viable ascospores and photobiont cells, and are suggested to be a common mode of vegetative short- and long-distance dispersal of this species.