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Isotopic evidence of full and partial myco‐heterotrophy in the plant tribe Pyroleae (Ericaceae)
Author(s) -
Hynson Nicole A.,
Preiss Katja,
Gebauer Gerhard,
Bruns Thomas D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02781.x
Subject(s) - heterotroph , biology , botany , autotroph , ericaceae , δ13c , ecology , stable isotope ratio , genetics , bacteria , physics , quantum mechanics
Summary• Botanists and mycologists have long debated the potential for full myco‐heterotrophy in the achlorophyllous Pyrola aphylla (Ericaceae). Here we address the ecophysiology of this putative myco‐heterotroph and two other closely related green species in the tribe Pyroleae ( Pyrola picta and Chimaphila umbellata ). • The stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) were analysed from 10 populations of Pyroleae species in California and Oregon, USA. For all populations isotope signatures were tested for significant differences between P. aphylla , green pyroloids, surrounding autotrophs and obligate myco‐heterotrophs. • Throughout all populations P. aphylla was most similar to myco‐heterotrophs that associate with ectomycorrhizal fungi in its 13 C signature (average enrichment ɛ 13 C = 6.9 ± 0.9‰) and even more enriched in 15 N than many previously recorded myco‐heterotrophic species (average enrichment ɛ 15 N = 18.0 ± 2.2‰). The two green Pyroleae species were not enriched in 13 C compared with the autotrophic understory ( C. umbellata average enrichment ɛ 13 C = −0.5 ± 1.0‰ and P. picta average ɛ 13 C = 0.3 ± 1.4‰) and their 15 N signatures were similar to myco‐heterotrophs that associate with ectomycorrhizal fungi ( C. umbellata average enrichment ɛ 15 N = 10.6 ± 1.6‰ and P. picta average ɛ 15 N = 10.6 ± 1.9‰). • This is the first study to analyse the isotope signatures of P. aphylla from a wide geographic region and our results confirm the variable trophic strategies of adult plants within the Pyroleae and the myco‐heterotrophic status of P. aphylla .