Colloque

A possible role of fluorescent and pigmented substances in lichen photobiology

D.N. Rao

Fabius Leblanc

Membre a labase

D.N. Rao

Résumé du colloque

To understand the effect of light on the growth rate of lichens one should consider the thickness of the cortex, the limited quantity of the chlorophyll, subnormal moisture conditions, light absorbing pigments and the presence of fluorophors like atranorin. The fluorescence spectrum of atranorin and the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll are compared. A role of atranorin in the utilization of low light intensities and of lichen pigments in the quenching of high light intensities in the lichen thallus is suggested.