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Partial mycoheterotrophy in the leafless orchid Eulophia zollingeri specialized on wood-decaying fungi.

Authors :
Suetsugu K
Ohta T
Tayasu I
Source :
Mycorrhiza [Mycorrhiza] 2024 Apr; Vol. 34 (1-2), pp. 33-44. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Mar 23.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Although the absence of normal leaves is often considered a sign of full heterotrophy, some plants remain at least partially autotrophic despite their leafless habit. Leafless orchids with green stems and capsules probably represent a late evolutionary stage toward full mycoheterotrophy and serve as valuable models for understanding the pathways leading to this nutritional strategy. In this study, based on molecular barcoding and isotopic analysis, we explored the physiological ecology of the leafless orchid Eulophia zollingeri, which displays green coloration, particularly during its fruiting phase. Although previous studies had shown that E. zollingeri, in its adult stage, is associated with Psathyrellaceae fungi and exhibits high <superscript>13</superscript> C isotope signatures similar to fully mycoheterotrophic orchids, it remained uncertain whether this symbiotic relationship is consistent throughout the orchid's entire life cycle and whether the orchid relies exclusively on mycoheterotrophy for its nutrition during the fruiting season. Our study has demonstrated that E. zollingeri maintains a specialized symbiotic relationship with Psathyrellaceae fungi throughout all life stages. However, isotopic analysis and chlorophyll data have shown that the orchid also engages in photosynthesis to meet its carbon needs, particularly during the fruiting stage. This research constitutes the first discovery of partial mycoheterotrophy in leafless orchids associated with saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1432-1890
Volume :
34
Issue :
1-2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Mycorrhiza
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38520554
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-024-01136-w