Biogeosciences
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Articles | Volume 22, issue 8
Articles | Volume 22, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2087-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2087-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 22, issue 8
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
29 Apr 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 29 Apr 2025

Peltigera lichen thalli produce highly potent ice-nucleating agents

Rosemary J. Eufemio, Galit Renzer, Mariah Rojas, Jolanta Miadlikowska, Todd L. Sformo, François Lutzoni, Boris A. Vinatzer, and Konrad Meister

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Editorial statement
Peltigera clouds? This fascinating manuscript demonstrates the potential of Peltigera lichens from across a range of ecosystems to generate potent biological ice nucleators. These Peltigera lichen ice nucleators can be more potent than the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae, which is often viewed as the most efficient biological ice nucleators. Given the widespread occurrence of Peltigera across the globe, these lichen may be important contributors to biological ice nucleation.
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Short summary
Biological ice nucleation plays key roles in organism survival and in shaping Earth’s atmospheric patterns. Our pan-American screening of Peltigera lichens reveals that the lichen thalli produce highly active ice nucleators (INs) resistant to freeze–thaw cycles. Notably, a pure fungal culture from Peltigera britannica released the most potent INs reported to date. Given the global abundance of these lichens, the INs may be important contributors to atmospheric processes.
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