Abstract
Fruticose lichens often live in environments where airflow and atmospheric water input may influence their morphology. Measurements of the "pendulosity" (erect length/total length) of Usnea and Ramalina thalli growing on tall, cylindrical cacti in a fog-influenced desert show local-scale patterns that fit with aerodynamic theory. Windward thalli were shorter and more erect while leeward thalli were significantly more pendulous, consistent with expectations for the harvesting of water droplets from foggy air.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 241-244 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Bryologist |
Volume | 118 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:Copyright ©2015 by The American Bryological and Lichenological Society, Inc.
Keywords
- Chile
- Lichen ecology
- Ramalina
- Usnea
- epiphytes
- functional morphology