Ксантория париетина: описание, распространение и экологические особенности.

Species of lichen
Speciesbox
| image = Xanthoria parietina gelbflechte. jpg
| taxon = Xanthoria parietina
| authority = (L.) Th. Fr (1860)
| synonyms ref = maritime sunburst lichen and shore lichen. It can be found near the shore on rocks or walls (hence the epithet parietina meaning "on walls"), and also on inland rocks, walls, or tree bark. It was chosen as a model organism for genomic sequencing (planned in 2006) by the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI).

The species was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, as Lichen parietinus. Xanthoria coomae, described from New South Wales in 2007, and Xanthoria polessica, described from Belarus in 2013, were later determined to be synonyms of Xanthoria parietina. The outer "skin" of the lichen, the cortex, is composed of closely packed fungal hyphae and serves to protect the thallus from water loss due to evaporation as well as harmful effects of high levels of irradiation. In Xanthoria parietina, the thickness of the thalli is known to vary depending on the habitat in which it grows. Thalli are much thinner in shady locations than in those exposed to full sunshine; this has the effect of protecting the algae that cannot tolerate high light intensities. The lichen pigment parietin gives this species a deep yellow or orange red color. Xanthoria parietina prefers growing on bark and wood; it is found more rarely on rock.

The photosynthetic symbionts, or photobionts, associated with X. parietina are from the green algal genus Trebouxia. Species that have been found include Trebouxia arboricola and T. irregularis. Both of these photobionts are known to occur free living in nature, having been found on bark colonized by X. parietina as well as on bark not colonized by lichens. In one study, the photobiont was shown to occupy 7% of the volume of the thallus. The density of pigmentation of the upper cortex also varies and seems to control the amount of light reaching the algae.

Xanthoria parietina occurs in hardwood forests in broad, low elevation valleys, as well as scattered on Populus and other hardwoods in riparian areas in agricultural and populated areas. and can be often found near farmland and around livestock. The lichen is used as a food source and shelter for the snail Balea perversa. The species is widespread, and has been reported from Australia, Africa, Asia, North America and throughout much of Europe. In eastern North America and Europe, it is found more frequently near coastal locations.

Xanthoria parietina is a very pollution tolerant species. In laboratory experiments, this species can tolerate exposure to air contaminants and bisulphite ions with little or no damaging effect. It is also tolerant of heavy metal contamination and to nitrogen pollution. For these reasons, this species has found use as a biomonitor for measuring levels of toxic elements.

Xanthoria parietina produces an orange colored anthraquinone pigment, parietin, that is deposited as tiny crystals in the top layer of the upper cortex. Parietin synthesis is enhanced by UV B, and stimulated by photosynthates, such as those provided by the green algal Trebouxia symbiont. X. parietina also produces the metabolite 2 methoxy 4,5,7 trihydroxy anthraquinone.

The biochemical impacts of the lichenicolous fungus Xanthoriicola physciae on its host Xanthoria parietina were investigated using Raman spectroscopy. This technique revealed that the fungus destroys key photoprotective pigments such as parietin and carotenoids in the host, which are vital for protecting the lichen from intense sunlight. Additionally, the presence of scytonemin—a pigment typically produced by cyanobacteria and known for UV protection—was detected in the infected tissues, suggesting secondary colonisation by cyanobacteria. In the past it was used as a remedy for jaundice because of its yellow color.