Saxicolous lichen

A saxicolous lichen is a lichen that grows on rock.[1][2] The prefix "sax" from the Latin saxum means "rock" or "stone".[3]

Characteristics

Saxicolous lichens exhibit very slow growth rates. They may develop on rock substrates for long periods of time, given the absence of external disturbances.[4] The importance of the mineral composition of the rock substrate, as well as the elemental geochemistry is also important to the distribution of saxicolous lichens, but the relationship between the substrate influence on lichens, either chemical or textural, is still obscure.[5]

Communities of saxicolous lichens are often species-rich in terms of number.[6]

References

  1. ^ Alan Silverside's Lichen Glossary (p-z), Alan Silverside
  2. ^ Shukla, V.; Upreti, D.K.; Bajpai, R. (2013). Lichens to Biomonitor the Environment. Springer India. p. 65. ISBN 978-81-322-1503-5. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  3. ^ Snell, W.H.; Dick, E.A. (1971). A glossary of mycology. Harvard University Press. p. 146. ISBN 9780674354517. Retrieved 20 April 2019. saxicolous. Living or growing among rocks. [< L. saxum stone + -cole, colous.]
  4. ^ ARMESTO, JJ; LC, CONTRERAS (1981). "Saxicolous Lichen Communities: Nonequilibrium Systems?". American Naturalist. 118 (4): 597–604. doi:10.1086/283856. S2CID 84210222.
  5. ^ Rajakaruna, Nishanta; Knudsen, Kerry; Fryday, Alan M.; O'Dell, Ryan E.; Pope, Nathaniel; Olday, Fred C.; Woolhouse, Suzie (September 2012). "Investigation of the importance of rock chemistry for saxicolous lichen communities of the New Idria serpentinite mass, San Benito County, California, USA". The Lichenologist. 44 (5): 695–714. doi:10.1017/S0024282912000205. ISSN 0024-2829. S2CID 85765282.
  6. ^ John, Elizabeth; Dale, M. R. T. (July 1991). "Determinants of Spatial Pattern in Saxicolous Lichen Communities". The Lichenologist. 23 (3): 227–236. doi:10.1017/S0024282991000397. ISSN 0024-2829. S2CID 83675197.


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