Fig. 1. The life cycle of biofilms (panel a), and key stages involved in the vegetative reproduction of lichens (panel b).

Panel a depicts the main stages of biofilm development, i.e., the attachment of cells/cell aggregates to a substratum, formation of microcolonies and their maturation, followed by dispersal of single motile cells and cell aggregates from biofilms. Panel b shows key stages involved in the vegetative reproduction of lichens, including the attachment and growth of symbiotic aggregates (consisting of fungal and algal cells) that are detached from the main lichen thallus, or via aposymbiotic dispersal and germination of fungi followed by re-engagement of algal partners and lichenisation⁹⁴.