Record ID No. |
1783 |
Author(s) |
Zimmer, K., Meyer, C., Gebauer, G , 2008 |
Affiliation |
Univ Bayreuth, Biogeochim Isotop Lab, Bayreuth Ctr Ecol & Environm Res, POB 101251, D-95440 Bayreuth, GERMANY |
Title |
The ectomycorrhizal specialist orchid Corallorhiza trifida is a partial myco-heterotroph |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
New Phytologist.178(2):395-400p. |
Categories |
Ectomycorrhiza |
Subjects |
Biochemistry |
Sub-subjects |
Miscellaneous |
Organism |
n.a. |
Country |
Germany, Europe |
Abstracts |
The leafless, circumboreal orchid Corallorhiza trifida is often assumed to be
fully myco-heterotrophic despite contrary evidence concerning its ability to photosynthesize.
Here, its level of myco-heterotrophy is assessed by analysing the natural abundance of the stable
nitrogen and carbon isotopes N-15 and C-13, respectively. The mycorrhizal associates and
chlorophyll contents of C. Trifida were investigated and the C and N isotope signatures of nine
C. Trifida individuals from Central Europe were compared with those of neighbouring obligate
autotrophic and myco-heterotrophic reference plants. The results show that C. Trifida only gains
c. 52 +/- 5% of its total nitrogen and 77 +/- 10% of the carbon derived from fungi even though it
has been shown to specialize on one specific complex of ectomycorrhizal fungi similar to fully
myco-heterotrophic orchids. Concurrently, compared with other Corallorhiza species, C. Trifida
contains a remarkable amount of chlorophyll. Since C. Trifida is able to supply significant
proportions of its nitrogen and carbon demands through the same processes as autotrophic plants,
this species should be referred to as partially myco-heterotrophic.
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