MadSci Network: General Biology |
Lichens can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction is the most common method of reproduction and this can happen either through a bit of the lichen breaking away and continuing to grow elsewhere or through the production of isidia and soredia, specialised structures that contain both the fungus and the alga. Sexual reproduction involves the fungal partner producing spores that are dispersed but which must find the algal partner anew. For this reason successful sexual reproduction occurs much less frequently than asexual reproduction. See this website for more information: http://www.nybg.org/bsci/lichens/< /a> Yvonne Buckley
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