caloplaca coralloides lichen question

A Question: What are the bumps surrounding some apothecia?

There are frequently bumps on the surface of the thallus of C. coralloides. Many of these bumps have a hole in the center. Sectioning did not definitively determine the identity of these bumps for me, because they showed only that the bumps had cortex and medulla. Here I give a hypothesis as to the identity of these bumps. If you know what these structures are or if you can help me figure them out, contact Megan Kelso at mkelso@stanford.edu or Judith Connor at MBARI.

This is a scanning electron
micrograph of an apothecia
of C. coralloides and a zoomed
in look at a bump on the edge
of the apothecia. Picture taken
by Megan Kelso with the help
of Chris Patton.

Hypothesis as to the identity of the bumps on the thallus and surrounding some apothecia:

These bumps might be apothecia in early stages of development. Maybe they will open up from the pore in the center of the bump and develop into apothecia. Sectioning the bumps did not show a developed hymenial layer, however, it is possible that it had just not developed yet. Younger looking apothecia do not have prominent bumps. Therefore, it is possible that the bumps only develop on older apothecia that have perhaps already released their spores. Pictures taken by Chris Patton and Megan Kelso of apothecia in different stages suggest that this is the identity of the bumps.

It is also possible that these bumps are simply nodules filled with medulla that form on the thalline surfaces of C. Coralloides. However, I cannot help but think that the central hole seen in some of the bumps indicates a purpose. It is also possible that both are true: that some of the bumps are developing apothecia and that others are simply thalline nodules.

Another thought was that the bumps could be pycnidia. This would make sense because having the "spermatia" released right next to the fertile layer of the apothecia would help encourage successful sexual reproduction. However, the bumps seem like they might be too large to be pycnidia.

These bumps could also be lobules, a structure for asexual reproduction that sometimes appear around the rims of apothecia. See the section on asexual reproduction for a little moreinformation on lobules.

Overall, my best guess is that these bumps are new apothecia just beginning to develop.

Home News & Information Ocean Observatories Research & Development Data & Images Marine Operations

		Marine Botany
MARINE BOTANY Monterey Bay Flora Seagrasses Green algae Red algae Brown algae Phytoplankton Lichens Methods Habitats Bibliography Glossary Syllabus Students PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA	Caloplaca coralloides A Question: What are the bumps surrounding some apothecia? There are frequently bumps on the surface of the thallus of C. coralloides. Many of these bumps have a hole in the center. Sectioning did not definitively determine the identity of these bumps for me, because they showed only that the bumps had cortex and medulla. Here I give a hypothesis as to the identity of these bumps. If you know what these structures are or if you can help me figure them out, contact Megan Kelso at mkelso@stanford.edu or Judith Connor at MBARI. This is a scanning electron micrograph of an apothecia of C. coralloides and a zoomed in look at a bump on the edge of the apothecia. Picture taken by Megan Kelso with the help of Chris Patton. Hypothesis as to the identity of the bumps on the thallus and surrounding some apothecia: These bumps might be apothecia in early stages of development. Maybe they will open up from the pore in the center of the bump and develop into apothecia. Sectioning the bumps did not show a developed hymenial layer, however, it is possible that it had just not developed yet. Younger looking apothecia do not have prominent bumps. Therefore, it is possible that the bumps only develop on older apothecia that have perhaps already released their spores. Pictures taken by Chris Patton and Megan Kelso of apothecia in different stages suggest that this is the identity of the bumps. It is also possible that these bumps are simply nodules filled with medulla that form on the thalline surfaces of C. Coralloides. However, I cannot help but think that the central hole seen in some of the bumps indicates a purpose. It is also possible that both are true: that some of the bumps are developing apothecia and that others are simply thalline nodules. Another thought was that the bumps could be pycnidia. This would make sense because having the "spermatia" released right next to the fertile layer of the apothecia would help encourage successful sexual reproduction. However, the bumps seem like they might be too large to be pycnidia. These bumps could also be lobules, a structure for asexual reproduction that sometimes appear around the rims of apothecia. See the section on asexual reproduction for a little moreinformation on lobules. Overall, my best guess is that these bumps are new apothecia just beginning to develop. Caloplaca home symbiosis morphology taxonomy sexual reproduction asexual reproduction ecology chemistry questions references © 2005 Megan Kelso Marine Flora Habitats Credits Glossary Syllabus Students Last updated:
Home News & Information Ocean Observatories Research & Development Data & Images Marine Operations

Caloplaca coralloides

A Question: What are the bumps surrounding some apothecia?