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Anastasiia Poliakova
Adaptations of Lichens and Capybaras to High Humidity and Rainfall
Anastasiia Poliakova
Biology Student, College of Liberal Art and Sciences, Alfred University, mailbox 1349, Powel
Campus ctr, Alfred, New York state, United States. Email Address: ap51@alfred.edu.
Abstract
The ability of organisms to adapt to extreme
conditions is an important part of their
survival. After all, adaptation is one of the
main forces of evolution. This study focuses
on the adaptations of lichens and capybaras to
high humidity and frequent rainfall in tropical
forests. Undeterred, lichens, symbiotic
organisms composed of fungi, algae, or
cyanobacteria, have been able to evolve
mechanisms such as efficient water uptake
and retention, cryptobiosis, and specialized
fungal bark to survive in tropical ecosystems.
Capybaras, in turn, the largest rodents on
Earth, have been able to evolve behavioral,
physiological, and morphological adaptations
that help them survive in rain-soaked
environments, such as water-repellent fur,
webbed feet, and seasonal reproductive
habits. This research paper highlights the
evolutionary methods these species use to
ensure survival in extreme climates.
Introduction
Species that live in environments with high
humidity and frequent precipitation face
problems such as excessive moisture,
excessive fungal growth, root rot, or changes
in resource availability. Lichens and
capybaras are great examples of how
organisms from different kingdoms adapt to
these problems and can even get rid of them
in ecosystems. Lichens, complex organisms
that result from the symbiosis of fungi and
photosynthetic partners (such as algae and
cyanobacteria), are extremely versatile in
water management. They can be found in
almost every corner of the world, but are
especially common in the rainforests of
Australia, Asia, and South America.
Capybaras, semi-aquatic rodents that thrive in
the wetlands of South America, also have it.
This article also compares the structural,
behavioral, and physiological adaptations of
these two species, focusing on their ability to
survive and reproduce in this ecosystem.
Methods
All the data in this research project were
collected and analyzed from peer-reviewed
scientific articles, such as those from
ResearchGate, JSTOR, and many other
biological journals. In order to find out
whether lichens are prepared for extreme
humidity, experimental data, as well as data
on growth rates, water uptake, and species
Adaptations of Lichens and Capybaras to Extreme Conditions
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Anastasiia Poliakova
diversity of lichens, were analyzed and the
counterparts in arid regions. Efficient
results were presented in tables or graphs.
processes of water absorption and
Capybaras were analyzed based on ecological
retention in their fungal layer explain
and behavioral studies that examine the
this advantage. This study was also
reproductive efficiency of this organism.
conducted by measuring the carbon
Graphs and figures are based on literature
dioxide absorption by lichens by the
data or taken from other sources to visualize
amount of precipitation in a particular
the scientific information presented.
area (fig. 2).
Data and Results
Lichens: Adaptations to High Humidity
1. Cryptobiosis and Water Absorption
Lichens have been able to develop
Figure 2. Lichen annual gain and loss of carbon,
cryptobiosis, which is the suspension
showing the contribution of the rainy months and
of metabolic processes to almost zero,
dry months to the photosynthetic carbon income
allowing them to withstand extreme
Fungal Cortex and Symbiotic
levels of humidity and recover when
Efficiency
conditions are restored. Usually,
The fungal cortex of lichens optimizes
lichens use proteins such as Heat
moisture retention, protecting against
Shock Protein (HSP) (fig.1) for
waterlogging (fig.3).
cryptobiosis, which protects proteins
from high temperatures or stress, and
LEA proteins (Late Embryogenesis
Abundant Proteins) to help retain
water and protect against stress caused
by external stimuli.
Figure 3. Cross Section of Lichen
As mentioned above, lichens
belonging to tropical forest
ecosystems are 30% more adapted to
Figure 1. Mechanism of the Heat Shock Protein
Lichens in tropical rainforests grow
thirty percent faster than their
excessive moisture than lichens living
in other conditions. This adaptation
was developed through the evolution
Adaptations of Lichens and Capybaras to Extreme Conditions
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Anastasiia Poliakova
Figure 4. The dependence of capybaras on water
of the fungal bark, which at the
depends on the hours of the day during the
molecular level contains
summer season.
hydrophobins, proteins that regulate
the water-repellent properties of the
fungal wall, as well as chitin and betaglucans that strengthen the cell wall,
indicating resistance to osmotic stress
2. Morphological Adaptations
o Webbed Feet:
that could be caused by damage due to
The capybara's legs, both hind and
excessive water. At the same time,
front, have many webbing, designed
symbiotic relationships with algae
specifically for swimming, allowing it
enable lichens to maintain
to move easily in water or in a flooded
photosynthesis to obtain sufficient
area, using them as paddles. In
amounts of essential nutrients.
addition, they have four toes in front
Capybaras: Adaptations to
and three in back, and claws on all of
Frequent Rainfall
their limbs, which allows them to stay
in marshy areas (fig. 5).
1. Behavioral Adaptations
During the rainy season, capybaras
spend most of their time
(approximately 80%) in the water to
reduce losses due to predation and to
maintain thermoregulation. This
Figure 5. Structure of the forelimb of a male
behavior decreases by 30-40% during
capybara.
hotter hours of the day (or seasons),
highlighting the impact of the
environment on their water
dependence (fig. 4).
o
Water-Repellent Fur:
Dense and oily fur prevents water
from soaking into the skin and also
reduces the risk of fungal infections
and bacteria entering the capybara's
body. It also supports
thermoregulation and works as a
camouflage (it is gray-brown), which
helps to camouflage in the middle of
mud, water, or grass from predators.
Adaptations of Lichens and Capybaras to Extreme Conditions
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Anastasiia Poliakova
3.
Reproductive Strategies During
Rainy Seasons
In addition to morphological
adaptations, capybaras were able to
develop behavioral strategies.
Capybaras reproduce most often in the
rainy seasons, as this is how they are
able to provide themselves with
enough water and nutrients for the
survival and development of their
offspring (Fig. 6).
Conclusion
Environmental pressures, namely extreme
conditions such as excessive humidity and
frequent precipitation, have been the main
driving forces for the evolution and
adaptations of lichens and capybaras. Lichens,
through their symbiotic relationships with
other organisms, have been able to adapt to
retain water and prevent waterlogging, while
capybaras show behavioral and morphological
adaptations that have improved survival and
reproduction conditions. Both species are
vital for maintaining biodiversity and
ecosystem services in tropical forests and
beyond. This is especially important today,
when the climate continues to change,
because lichens are one of the bioindicators of
Figure 6. Seasonal (three-monthly) variations in capybara
populations and the number of infants, and total monthly
rainfall (mm) on Marajó Island, Pará state, Brazil.
ecosystems, so the survival of this species is
important for all of nature.
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Anastasiia Poliakova
Citation
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Adaptations of Lichens and Capybaras to Extreme Conditions