An endosymbiont or endobionts is any organism that lives within the body or cells of another organism most often, though not always, in a mutualistic relationship. Endosymbiosis is key process in the evolution [1] Lichens are unique taxonomic paradox and remarkably fascinating group of lesser known cryptogams consisting of two separate entities, the phycobiont and mycobiont living together in a balanced symbiotic relationship. It comprises a complete hierarchy of taxonomically treatable organisms. They are well deserved reputation as pioneers in plant succession and form a long lived stable communities. They occur in cold to hot desert and temperate to tropical conditions; on tree bark to leaf and rock to soil i.e. they refer as ubiquitous in nature. In lichen about 95% of ascomycetes and 85% of green algae as symbionts [2]. In addition to the mycobiont and phycobiont in lichen thalli, the occurrence of nonobligate microbes inside lichen thalli has recently been identified. These microbes occur asymptomatically within thalli and names as endosymbionts. These endobionts have not been studies extensively. According to the principle of evolution the host and endosymbionts evolved simultaneously on this earth, spores of microbes are spread in all environments similarly endobionts spread within lichen thallus.

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Citation

Citation: Vinayaka KS. “Lichen Endosymbionts an Untapped Bioresources for Biotechnological Products" Acta Scientific Microbiology 3.1 (2020): 95-96.

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Copyright: © 2020 Lia Vinayaka KS. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.