Exploring fungus-plant N transfer in a tripartite ant-plant-fungus mutualism.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The plant Hirtella physophora, the ant Allomerus decemarticulatus and a fungus, Trimmatostroma sp., form a tripartite association. The ants manipulate both the plant trichomes and the fungus to build galleries under the stems of their host plant used to capture prey. In addition to its structural role, the fungus also improves nutrient uptake by the host plant. But it still remains unclear whether the fungus plays an indirect or a direct role in transferring nutrients to the plant. This study aimed to trace the transfer of N from the fungus to the plant's stem tissue.

Methods

Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the presence of fungal hyphae in the stem tissues. Then, a 15N-labelling experiment was combine

SUBMITTER: Leroy C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5591417 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature