The population structure of a lichen, Thamnolia subuliformis and a moss, Dicranum elongatum, was examined in northeastern regions of Wapusk National Park. With the use of microsatellite molecular markers, it was reported that the sterile lichen had a level of variation similar to that of a sexually reproducing species. The variation reported for the moss, where sporophytes were not encountered, supported subdivided populations. It was concluded that these species have the genetic resources necessary to adapt to changing environmental conditions. / February 2007

Over the years, secondary metabolites have proven to be significant in the discovery of novel antibiotics and/or lead compounds. Various secondary metabolites have been reported to be produced by fungus of the genus, Alternaria. Here we report the isolation of secondary metabolites by the bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract of fermentation cultures of the fungus, Alternaria tenuissima. This fungal strain was isolated from the soil underlying the lichen, Peltigera didactyla; and the lichen was collected from Wapusk National Park, a location in Northern Manitoba. The compounds isolated from the fungus include deoxyphomalone, dimethyl 4-methyl-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate, stemphyperylenol and N-Methyl pyrrolidinone. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analysis of their spectroscopic data including FT-IR, mass spectrometry, 1D and 2D NMR; and their bioactivities were tested against E. coli cells. Some of the compounds demonstrated some bioactivity. The taxonomic identity of the fungus was confirmed by ITS sequencing of its ribosomal DNA.

Over the years, secondary metabolites have proven to be significant in the discovery of novel antibiotics and/or lead compounds. Various secondary metabolites have been reported to be produced by fungus of the genus, Alternaria. Here we report the isolation of secondary metabolites by the bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract of fermentation cultures of the fungus, Alternaria tenuissima. This fungal strain was isolated from the soil underlying the lichen, Peltigera didactyla; and the lichen was collected from Wapusk National Park, a location in Northern Manitoba. The compounds isolated from the fungus include deoxyphomalone, dimethyl 4-methyl-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate, stemphyperylenol and N-Methyl pyrrolidinone. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analysis of their spectroscopic data including FT-IR, mass spectrometry, 1D and 2D NMR; and their bioactivities were tested against E. coli cells. Some of the compounds demonstrated some bioactivity. The taxonomic identity of the fungus was confirmed by ITS sequencing of its ribosomal DNA.

The population structure of a lichen, Thamnolia subuliformis and a moss, Dicranum elongatum, was examined in northeastern regions of Wapusk National Park. With the use of microsatellite molecular markers, it was reported that the sterile lichen had a level of variation similar to that of a sexually reproducing species. The variation reported for the moss, where sporophytes were not encountered, supported subdivided populations. It was concluded that these species have the genetic resources necessary to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

The population structure of a lichen, Thamnolia subuliformis and a moss, Dicranum elongatum, was examined in northeastern regions of Wapusk National Park. With the use of microsatellite molecular markers, it was reported that the sterile lichen had a level of variation similar to that of a sexually reproducing species. The variation reported for the moss, where sporophytes were not encountered, supported subdivided populations. It was concluded that these species have the genetic resources necessary to adapt to changing environmental conditions.