The tiny-leaved orchid Disperis neilgherrensis primarily obtains carbon from decaying litter via saprotrophic Ceratobasidium.

ABSTRACT: While most green orchids establish associations with non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonias belonging to Ceratobasidiaceae, Tulasnellaceae, and Serendipitaceae, fully mycoheterotrophic orchids-excluding albino mutants-primarily depend on either ectomycorrhizal fungi or saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi. This suggests that non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonias may be unable to meet the carbon demands of adult orchids that exhibit a high degree of mycoheterotrophy. To understand the physiological ecology of Disperis neilgherrensis, an orchid species with reduced leaves growing in decaying litter from non-ectomycorrhizal trees, we employed molecular and stable isotope analyses to identify its mycorrhizal partners and ultimate nutritional sources at two populations on Ishigaki Island, Japan. Molecular b

SUBMITTER: Suetsugu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11821799 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature