SURFACE N-ALKANE VARIABILITY IN XANTHORIA-PARIETINA

Surface alkanes were extracted from thalli of populations of Xanthoria parietina growing in two different Piedmont (Italy) valleys: Susa and Vermenagna. The main n-alkanes detected in the Susa Valley were C-27, C-28, C-29 and C-31, whereas C-25, C-27 and C-29 were the most abunda nt in Vermenagna Valley. The results indicate that the n-alkane qualit ative composition of X. parietina was affected both by elevation and c limatic characteristics typical of the two valleys considered. (C) 199 6 The British Lichen