| Summary: | Digital microscopy is an emerging technique that combines the tools of classic light microscopy with a computerized imaging system. The main components of digital microscopy is image formation by optics of the system, image registration by a digital camera, saving of image data in a file format that enables advanced image analysis.In this paper, we bring first data on application of digital microscopy approach in lichen thallus morphology study. Two Antarctic lichen species (Xanthoria elegans, Umbilicaria decussata) with a foliose morphotype of their thallus were studied. Both experimental species had an irregularly round or eliptic shape of a thallus that enabled to measure its diameter. After magnifition, images were taken in dry and fully-hydrated state of thallus in order to evaluate hydration-dependent size changes in thallus size and structures. It has been demonstrated that hydration-dependent size increment depend on thallus size and particular part of thallus. Mean increment of thallus diameter reached 15.1% and 13.8% for X. elegans and U. decussata, respectively. Higher value of diameter increment (26 %) was found for the upper projection area of apothecia, fruiting bodies developed over the upper thallus surface of X. elegans. Size and volume increment in thallus parts is discussed as a consequence of water holding capacity of lichens, and a capability of lichens to hold intra- and extracellular water upon full hydration of a thallus. Finally, a potential of digital microscopy for future studies is discussed as well as some processing techniques such as e.g. metrics of profile lines through 3-D objects like apothecia.
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