Chimeroid Associations in the Genus Peltigera

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Abstract
The mycobiont of P. aphthosa, at least in the northeastern and northwestern coastal regions of North America, forms 2 distinct morphotypes with green and blue-green algae, i.e., the mycobiont can undergo different morphogenic responses with different phycobionts. The thallus containing a Coccomyxa phycobiont appears to be typical P. aphthosa except for its tendency to produce subfoliose rather than closely appressed cephalodia. These subfoliose cephalodia can break free from the parent thallus and begin to develop as independent, Nostoc-containing lichens. They may represent P. avenosa Gyeln. The glue-green thalli, either before or after they become independent, can accept Coccomyxa cells from the environment and produce green lobes which later broaden to become free-living P. aphthosa thalli again. Thalli which are composed of a single mycobiont, but form 2 parts, each with its own phycobiont, can be called chimeroid associations. The identity of the mycobiont in the blue-green and green parts of chimeroid associations cannot be proven by these observations. Only controlled laboratory experiments with isolates of mycobionts and appropriate phycobionts can determine the actual situation. At least in some populations of P. aphthosa, a single fungus is capable of producing distinct lichen thalli by different morphogenic responses to different phycobionts.

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