Mycoheterotrophic continuum in rhizoctonia associations: genetic divergence and carbon acquisition variation among Odontochilus orchids.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Mycoheterotrophy is a nutritional strategy in which plants obtain carbon and essential nutrients from fungal partners. Comparative studies of closely related taxa differing in mycoheterotrophic dependence offer important insights into the evolutionary transitions underlying this lifestyle.

Methods

We integrated stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) analyses, MIG-seq (multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing)-based phylogenetics and fungal metabarcoding to investigate the physiological ecology and evolutionary history of three Odontochilus taxa: the large-leaved O. fissus, the small-leaved O. nakaianus (including albino, chlorophyll-deficient variants) and the very small-leaved O. aff. fissus. Morphologically, O. aff. fissus differs from O. fissus in having redu

SUBMITTER: Suetsugu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12445861 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature