Lichenology - Biodiversity and Evolution of Fungal, Algal Symbiosis | Matthew Nelsen PhD

Ep. 120:

Today on Mushroom Hour we are joined by illustrious lichen expert Matthew Nelsen PhD. Matthew is a Research Scientist at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Matt's research began in botany, ecology and environmental science and has more recently gravitated towards: (i) the evolution of symbiotic associations; and (ii) the evolution of eukaryotic microbes (fungi and algae), and the roles they have played in shaping terrestrial ecosystems and nutrient-cycling over geologic timescales. Both avenues of his research attempt to link diverse fields and organismal groups. He also has conducted work addressing the timing and evolutionary consequences of ant-plant interactions. Matt thank you so much for joining us on the Mushroom Hour!

TOPICS COVERED:

Fungus & Algae Species Forming Lichen Partnerships
Host Specificity in Lichen Partnerships
Evolutionary History of Lichen
Vascular Plants on Land Before Lichen?!
Challenges of Working on “Big Time”
Process of Lichen Formation, Fungal Phenotypes
Lichen Blurring Species Boundaries
Cleptobiosis
Role in Carbon & Nitrogen Cycles
Lichen as an Ecosystem
Lichen & Air Quality in an Environment
Lichenometry
Analysis of Fungal Coal Formation Hypothesis
Ant Plant Interactions

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Matthew Nelsen Website: https://mpnelsen.com/
Lichen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen
Xanthoria parietina (Lichen): https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Xanthoria_parietina
Trebouxia (Lichen Genus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebouxia
Toby Spribille (Lichen Expert): https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vPlIL5IAAAAJ&hl=en
Betsy Arnold (Endophyte Expert): http://www.arnoldlab.net/
Article on Fungal Coal Formation Hypothesis: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1517943113
Arthrobotrys (Fungal Genus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthrobotrys
Mycoparasites: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/mycoparasites