Atlas Journal of Biology 2 (1): 78–83, 2012 doi: 10.5147/ajb.2012.0059

Lichens of the Monument (, )

Ilham Nattah1, Amina Ouazzani Touhami1, Rachid Benkirane1, Mohamed El Kortbi2, and Allal Douira1

1 Laboratory of Botany and Plant Protection, University Ibn Tofail, Faculty of Sciences, P. O. Box 133, 14000 Kénitra, Morocco; 2 Laboratoire des Matériaux et Génie Civil, Université Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco

Received: August 22, 2011 / Accepted: February 1, 2012

Abstract

his paper describes the lichen species that colonize the the and the modern , forms Twalls of the Hassan Tower, a historical monument of Mo- an important historical and tourist complex in Rabat. rocco. The lichen species identified as Caloplaca flavescens, C. The historical monuments of Rabat show many signs of weath- Vitellinula, Rocella phycopsis and Xanthoria calcicola are distrib- ering. The scientific works on the weathering process of these uted differently on the walls of the tower. In addition to other monuments all agreed that the causes of deterioration are an- environmental factors, such lichen species encountered are thropogenic origin (Bellitir 1987, Alaoui et al., 2006, Zaouia et involved in one way or another in the deterioration of build- al., 2006, Asebriy et al., 2007, 2009). The climate of Rabat is ing materials of the Hassan Tower. characterized by high humidity and high salt content of marine origin. Added to climatic, the exhausts of vehicles on the arterial Keywords: Morocco, Hassan Tower, monument, lichens, deterio- roads of the city induce further deterioration (El Azhari, 2009). ration. Lichen species also play an important role in the process of de- terioration of a wide range of building materials. This is attri- bute to their capacity to grow on a variety of substrate under Introduction a wide range of environmental conditions (Nimis et al., 1987, 1996). The present work focuses on lichens of Hassan Tower. The Imperial city of Rabat (capital city of Morocco) hosts famous monuments built during the Almohad era (1128 to Materials and Methods 1269AD). The Hassan Tower, Oudayas, , are some no- table examples of the Arab-Islamic architecture of the XII-XIII The study of the lichens involved their identification both in centuries. Hassan Tower is a symbolic feature representing the the field and in the laboratory. The lichen samples collected city (El Azhari, 2009). from the walls of Hassan Tower were examined using light mi- According to Caillé (1954), Hassan Tower is the of croscopes. Free-hand sections were made using a razor blade an incomplete mosque in Rabat. The construction of the tower in and mounted in water and cotton blue. Tissue and ascospore 1195 AD, was intended to be the largest minaret in the world measurements were made in water. Granulation of tissues was along with the mosque. In 1199, Sultan Yacoub Al-Mansour died observed in polarized microscopes. Spot test reactions of thal- and the construction on the mosque stopped. At the time, the tow- li, apothecial margins, medulla and discs were tested with the er only reached 44 m, about half of its intended 86 m height. standard reagents, Potassium hydroxide 10% (K) and Sodium Instead of stairs, the tower is provided with ramps which would hypochlorite (C). A comparison was then made with the informa- have enabled the to ride a horse to the top of the tower tion available in various analytical keys and guides (Harmand, to call for prayers. 1913; Wade, 1965; Mayrhofer and Poelt, 1979; Steiner and The tower, made of red sandstone along with the remains of Poelt, 1982; Laudon, 1992; Arup, 1994; Wetmore and Karn- Atlas Journal of Biology - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, LP (www.atlas-publishing.org) Atlas Journal of - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, Biology ______* Corresponding author: [email protected] 78 felt, 1998; Lindblom et al., 2005; Soun and Vondrak, 2008; - Caloplaca flavescens (Huds) Laundon: Thallus crustose, form- Gaya et al., 2008). The specimens are kept in the herbarium of ing closely adpressed rosettes, yellow to orange up to 1-2 cm the Laboratory of Botany and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sci- in diameter. Rosettes of thalli single or grouped, whitish at the ences, University Ibn Tofail, Kénitra, Morocco. centre which often disintegrates and falls out with age (Fig. 1 A). Lobes at the margin of thallus 0.5 -1.5 mm long and 1 mm wide, Results convex and sometimes overlapping. Cortex present and a con- tinuous layer visible in polarized light (Fig. 1C). Apothecia up The results of this study showed the presence of four lichen to 0.8-1mm in diameter, orange, mainly confined to the centre species: Caloplaca flavescens, Caloplaca vitellinula, Roccella phy- of the thallus; disc flat to convex. Spore broad, lemon, up to 10 copsis and Xanthoria calcicola detailed as follows: µm long and 6 µm wide (Fig. 1E), 8 per ascus (Fig. 1D). Reac-

A B

0.57 cm 0.8 cm

C D

E

13,32 μm

Figure 1. Caloplaca falavescens: Thallus (A), K+: red- purple (B), thallus transversal section visualized under polarized light (C), Ascus (D), spore (E). Atlas Journal of Biology - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, LP (www.atlas-publishing.org) Atlas Journal of - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, Biology LP (www.atlas-publishing.org) Atlas Journal of - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, Biology

79 tions of thallus and apothecia K+: red - purple. (Fig. 1B). Habitat: 4A). Apothecia scarce or absent; disc orange, 0.8 mm across saxicolous on earth of the Hassan Tower. with, frequently notched warty edge; Ascus spores, hyaline, po- - Caloplaca vitellinula (Nyl.) H. Olivier: Thallus crustose, reduced lariloculaire, up to 10.82 µm long and 6.82 µm wide (Fig. 4C). to little orange-yellow granules (Fig. 2A). Apothecia yolk; they Test color: K+: red- purple (Fig. 4B). Habitat: saxicolous on the are rare or sometimes many, scattered or grouped in the center tower’s wall. of the thallus; they are large below 0.5 mm, thin margin, the disc more or less covex, epithecium golden yellow. Paraphyses Discussion and Conclusion simples to branched, with the top, 2 or 3 short articles and un- evenly swollen (Fig. 2C). Ascus ellipsoids; spores 8 per ascus, Calcareous stones, known as beige calcarenite (“Stone of polaribilocular, ellipsoid, hyalines, sometimes very close together Salé”), plio-quaternary age (El Azhari, 2009), were used in in boxes, spores 8.9 µm long 5.49 µm wide (Fig. 2D). Test color: the construction of the Hassan Tower. The calcarenite is richer in K+: red- purple (Fig. 2B). Habitat: saxicolous on the tower’s wall. quartz grains and shows a very high porosity (EL Amrani, 2009). - Rocella phycopsis (Ach.) Ach.: Thallus fruticulose, up to 5 cm The high porosity of the rock salt facilitates the infiltration of long, grey branches round or slightly compressed, 1 to 2 mm fluids whose speeds are altered (El Azhari, 2009). This process thickness, smooth, pruinose, subsimple or dichotomously divided of rock weathering facilitates the development of some lichen (Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C) ; medulla of the spike yellow (Fig. 3E); species (Kofler, 1954). soralia many, whitish, tubercled to globose; apothecia absent. The lichen species found on this monument are calcicolous. Cortex: C+ red (Fig. 3D) then turns into orange, then yellow and They were reported in the north-west and central region of disappears; medulla and soralia C-, KOH -. Habitat: saxicolous Morocco (Egea, 1996; Alonso and Egea, 1997). They were not on the Tower’s wall of Hassan (substrate type: calcarenite). described and sometimes their substrates were not specified; - Xanthoria calcicola Oksner: Thallus foliose, rigid, up to 3 cm many factors (historical, topographic, temporal, access, edaphic, long, upper side yellow orange, granular, warty (presence of climatic, ecological) influence the establishment of mural vegeta- large convex isidia towards the center of thallus), underside tion. However, Lisci et al. (2003) reported that the distribution simple white rhizines; lobes overlapping and corrugated (Fig. of the encountered lichen species depends on humidity. Roccella

A B

0.71 cm

C D

11.55 µm

Figure 2. Caloplaca vitellinula: Thallus attached to the wall Tower Hassan (A), K+: red purple ( B), paraphyse (C), spore (D). Atlas Journal of Biology - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, LP (www.atlas-publishing.org) Atlas Journal of - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, Biology

80 Atlas Journal of Biology - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, LP (www.atlas-publishing.org) 81 lentiscus this species was reported by Alonso and Egea (1997) Morocco on In 2003). al., et (Lisci substrate the to vertically fixed eral meters above the ground. mon on the exposed face northwest of the tower and covers sev phycopsis medulla of thespike: yellowmedulla of (E). 3. Figure (Al Hoceima), 1 1 cm E C A represents the most abundant species. It is very com very is It species. abundant most the represents

Roccella phycopsis: Roccella Tetraclinis articulata Rocella phycopsis Thallus attached to the wall Tower Hassan (A), (B) & (C), Spot test reaction of thallus C +: red (D), red +: C thallus of reaction test Spot (C), & (B) (A), TowerwallHassan the to attached Thallus (Dar-Mter) and is almost always Pistacia Arga - - - careous or alkaline rocks and artificial substrata such as con as such substrata artificial and rocks alkaline or careous cal other on also but limestone pure on only not frequent more as considered is latter tower.The the near ground cement the with nia spinosa D B 1.2 cm Caloplaca vitellinula Rocella phycopsis (Agadir) whereas is less abundant and forms an association Caloplaca flavescens abounds on - -

Atlas Journal of Biology - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, LP (www.atlas-publishing.org) Atlas Journal of Biology - ISSN 2158-9151. Published By Atlas Publishing, LP (www.atlas-publishing.org) substances they secrete (Nimis, 2001) which carbon dioxide,li carbon which 2001) (Nimis, secrete they substances 1988). The chemical alterations lichens produce are due to three rehydrationand desiccation (Seaward,to subsequent lichen the neath the stone surface and by the contraction and expansion of alterations are caused by the penetrationfungal of hyphae be Biogeophysical processes. through biogeochemical and surfaces biogeophysical stone of alterations major as such worse damage, much produce may They 2008). (Rigamonti, indicators et al.,2007). (Uluoglo ratio high at metal trace of accumulation knownforits accompanying 2005) (Anonymous, rocks calcarenite on reported tower.was It treesnear quarries(Laundob, of 1992). dusty bark crete, mortar, roofing tiles and monuments but very rarely on the lhuh ihn ae xeln amshrc olto bio pollution atmospheric excellent are lichens Although calcicola Xanthoria Figure 4. Figure B A 0.75 cm

Xanthoria calcicola: Thallus attached to the wall Tower tothewall Xanthoria calcicola:Thallusattached Hassan(A),K+:red-purple(B),spore(C). Rocella phycopsis Rocella colonizes the walls of the terrace of the of terrace the of walls the colonizes (Kinalioglu, 2007) and is well is and 2007) (Kinalioglu, - - - Alaoui M, L Asebriy, C Bucci , EI El Amrani, R Franchi, F Guerrera, M Guerrera, F Franchi, R Amrani, El EI , Bucci Asebriy,C L M, Alaoui References theplace. as totheconditionof lowing a naturalistic approach, they can act as a useful indicator matic alteration that some species cause. On the other hand, fol chro and deterioration chemical-physical because eliminated be must that disturbance a being as considered be can lichens bon. car acid oxalic and properties, complex with compounds chen n Erh nomto ad ytm Wtr Breoa Catalonia, Water, Barcelona, Systems and Information Earth and Cartography RegionalGeoscientific on Congress European 5th co). sis for restorationIslamic the Rabat monuments city of of of (Moroc and L Tentoni (2006) GIS and new technologies in geological analy Patamia,Robles,TejeraRaffalli,C MP J G Leon, de Martin, Martin hand one the on if (2008), Rigamonti to according fact, In 13.32 µm C 82 - - - - - , June 13-16. Kinalioglu K (2007) Lichens of the alpine region in Arakli- Sürmene Anonymous ( 2005) www.mousses-lichens-haut-languedoc.org/Xantho- District, Trabzon Province (Turky). Cryptogamie Mycol 28 (2): 159- ria_calcicola.htm. 168. Alonso FL and JM Egea (1997) Líquenes epifíticos de algunas locali- Laundon JR (1992) Caloplaca Th. In: Purvis OW., BJ Coppins, DL Hawk- dades costeras de Marruecos. Acta Botanica Malacitana 22: 13-18. sworth, PW James and DM Moore (ed.), The lichen flora of Great Arup U (1994) The Genus Caloplaca on Seashore Rocks in Eastern Britain and Ireland, pp. 141–159. North America. The Bryologist 97 (4): 377-392. Lindblom L, MH Ladstein, HH Blom, S Ekman, and E Timdal (2005) Xan- Asebriy L, C Bucci, I El Amrani, R Franchi, F Guerrera, M Martin Martin, thoria aureola in Norway and a key to the species of Xanthoria s. str. C Patamia, G Raffaelli, P Robles Martin, J Tejera de Leon, and L in Scandinavia. Graphis Scripta 17: 12–16. Tentoni (2007) Étude Intégrée de la dégradation des monuments Lisci M, M Monte, and E Pacini (2003) Lichens and higher plants on historiques Romains et Islamiques de la ville de Rabat (Maroc): Prop- stone: a review. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 51 osition de solutions durables de prévention et restauration. Science (1): 1-17. and Technology for Cultural Heritage 16 (1-2): 45-65. Mayrhofer H, and J Poelt (1979) Die saxicolen Arten der Flechtengat- Asebriy L, C Bucci, TE Cherkaoui, EI EL Amrani, R Franchi, F Guerrera, tung Rinodina in Europa. Bibliotheca Lichenologica 12: 1-186. M Martin Martin, C Patamia, G Raffaelli, P Robles Marin, J Tejera Nimis PL, D Pinna and O Salvadori (1996) Licheni e Conservazione dei de Leon, and FJ. Alcala (2009) Deterioration processes on archaeo- monumenti. Clueb ed., Bologna, pp. 165. logical sites of Chellah and Oudayas (world cultural heritage, Ra- Nimis PL, M Monte, and M Tretiach (1987) Flora e vegetazione Lichen- bat, Morocco): restoration test and recommendations. Ital. J. Geosci., ica di aree archeologiche del Lazio. Studia Geobotanica 7: 3-161. 128 (1): 157-171. Nimis PL (2001) Artistic and Historical Monuments: Threatened ecosys- Bellitir D, R Nijs, L Asebriy, and M Aberkane (1987) Evolution de la tems. In Frontiers of Life, Part 2: Discovery and Spoliation of the calcarénite dans les constructions, vitesse d’altération en fonction Biosphere, sect. 2: Man and the Environment. San Diego: Academic des facteurs naturels et industriels. Mines, Géologie & Énergie 57: Press, S Diego, pp. 557-569. 83-88. Rigamonti M (2008) Experimental Ecology and Geobotany Lichens and Caillé J and J Hainaut (1954) La mosquée de Hassan à Rabat. Publi- monuments: searching for the balance between the necessity of res- cations de l’Institut des Hautes Etudes Marocaines. Erik Hanson books toration and preservation, and the improvement of the naturalistic- and Ephemera, San Diego, CA, USA, pp. 172. environmental aspects of the historical-architectural heritage. Scien- Egea JM (1996) Catalogue of lichenized and lichenicolous fungi of tifica Acta 2 (2): 93-96. Morocco. Bocconea 6: 19-114. Seaward MRD (1988) Lichen damage to ancient monuments: a case El Azhari H, and IE El Amrani El Hassani (2009) Diagnostic and Monitor- study. Lichenologist 20 (3): 291–295. ing of building stones using P-wave velocity: application to historical Šoun J, and J Vondrák (2008) Caloplaca aurantia and Caloplaca fla- monuments of Rabat (Morocco). In: Ferrari A (ed.): Proceedings of vescens (Teloschistaceae, lichen-forming fungi) in the Czech Republic; the 4th International Con