The “Cup” Fungi A family of fungi that produce cup-shaped reproductive structures. The cup contains spores, and the shape focuses rain drops which splash the spores and help the fungus to spread.

Cup fungi are saprophobic, meaning that they are decomposers, mostly of wood. The main body of the fungus is made if hyphae, which are long chains of fungal cells.

Lichens A Mutualistic Relationship

Lichens are a symbiotic association of a fungus and a green algae or a blue-green algae. The photosynthetic organism does not derive a nutritional benefit from the fungus but may use the fungus to anchor to a substrate and for some protection. The fungus benefits from the algae by extracting carbohydrates from green algae and nitrogen from blue-green algae.

Lichen Structure

a- Upper cortex-short thick hyphae form a protective layer b- Algal layer c-Medulla-loosely woven mat of hyphae holding moisture d-Lower cortex e- Rhizomes-fungal hyphae that anchor and gradually digest Lichen Structure

Lichens reproduce by producing soredia (a specialized asexual reproductive unit) composed of fungal hyphae surrounding algae. These small structures may be air- or water-borne to new locations thus spreading the lichens.

Lichen Soredia

One benefit of symbiosis is that lichens are able to live in environments where neither fungi nor algae could live alone. Additionally, in the arctic tundra, caribou graze on lichens at times of the year when other foods are unavailable. Lichens are important pioneer organisms on newly cleared rock and soil surfaces, such as burned forests and volcanic flows.

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a lichen. The round structures are the fruiting bodies (apothecia), which contain the reproductive spores of the fungi