Ectomycorrhizal Inocybe species associate with the mycoheterotrophic orchid Epipogium aphyllum but not its asexual propagules.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Epipogium aphyllum is a Eurasian achlorophyllous, mycoheterotrophic forest orchid. Due to its rarity, it is often protected, and its biology is poorly known. The identity and pattern of colonization of fungal associates providing carbon to this orchid have not been studied previously.

Methods

Using samples from 34 individuals from 18 populations in Japan, Russia and France, the following were investigated: (a) colonization patterns of fungal associates of E. aphyllum by microscopy; (b) their identity by PCR amplification of nuclear ribosomal ITS carried out on rhizome fragments and hyphal pelotons.

Results and conclusions

Microscopic investigations revealed that thick rhizomes were densely colonized by fungi bearing clamp-connections and dolipores,

SUBMITTER: Roy M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2720653 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature