SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN LICHENS
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Sexual reproduction is present only in the fungal partner of the association, and is typical of Ascomycetae.
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The male reproductive organ is called spermatogonium and the female is called as carpogonium.
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The spermatogonia develop in flask-shaped cavities on the upper surface of the thallus.
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A number of hyphae develop from the walls of the cavity. Few of them are sterile and few are fertile.
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Spermatia (non-motile male cells) develop continuously from the tips of the fertile branches.
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The carpogonium consists of multi-cellular coiled portion, the ascogonium and straight upper portion, the trichogyne.
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Fertilization results in changes in the carpogonium.
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For the germination of the ascospores produced by the fungal component, they must come in contact with the algal cells or else they will not be able to survive.
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The algal partner reproduces by cell division and occasionally by spores.
