Pseudocyphellaria dissimilis: a desiccation-sensitive, highly shade-adapted lichen from New Zealand

Pseudocyphellaria dissimilis, a foliose, cyanobacterial lichen, is shown not to fit into the normal ecological concept of lichens. This species is both extremely shade-tolerant and also more intolerant to drying than aquatic lichens previously thought to be the most desiccation-sensitive of lichens. Samples of P. dissimilis from a humid rain-forest site in New Zealand were transported in a moist state to Germany. Photosynthesis response curves were generated. The effect of desiccation was measured by comparing CO₂ exchange before and after a standard 20-h drying routine. Lichen thalli could be equilibrated at 15° C to relative humidities (RH) from 5% to almost 100%. Photosynthesis was saturated at a photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) level of 20 μmol m^-2 s^-1 (350 μbar CO₂) and PAR compensation was a very low 1 μmol m^-2 s^-1. Photosynthesis did not saturate until 1500 μbar CO₂. Net photosynthesis was relatively unaffected by temperature between 10° C and 30° C with upper compensation at over 40° C. Temporary depression of photosynthesis occurred after a drying period of 20 h with equilibration at 45-65% relative humidity (RH). Sustained damage occurred at 15-25% RH and many samples died after equilibration at 5-16% RH. Microclimate studies of the lichen habitat below the evergreen, broadleaf forest canopy revealed consistently low PAR (normally below 10-20 μmol m^-2 s^-1) and high humidities (over 80% RH even during the day time). The species shows many features of an extremely deep shade-adapted plant including low PAR saturation and compensation, low photosynthetic and respiratory rates and low dry weight per unit area.