Light and electron microscopic investigations in the Dictyonemataceae (Basidiolichens)

Abstract

The nature of the association between the basidiomycetous mycobiont and the blue-green phycobiont in two species of the tropical basidiolichen Dictyonema was investigated using Nomarski light optics and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Although members of this family may exhibit either a homoiomerous or heteromerous type of thallus organization, the fungus–alga relationship at the cellular level is remarkably consistent. Scytonema filaments are intimately associated with appressorial hyphae of the mycobiont and with extensive intracellular hyphae, which appear to be unrelated to the basidiomycetous fungal symbiont. This is the first report of a lichen displaying an apparent dual fungal symbiosis with the algal host. Association with the intracellular fungus produces no discernible damage to the phycobiont and apparently does not interfere with the symbiosis involving the basidiomycetous fungus.