Hasselquist, Niles
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- University of California
Abstract
Despite their prominent role for tree growth, few studies have examined the occurrence of ectomycorrhizal fungi in lowland, seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF). Although fruiting bodies of boletes have been observed in a dry tropical forest on the Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, their occurrence is rare and their mycorrhizal status is uncertain. To determine the trophic status (mycorrhizal vs. saprotrophic) of these boletes, fruiting bodies were collected and isotopically compared to known saprotrophic fungi, foliage, and soil from the same site. Mean delta N-15 and delta C-13 values differed significantly between boletes and saprotrophic fungi, with boletes 8.0% enriched and 2.5% depleted in N-15 and C-13, respectively relative to saprotrophic fungi. Foliage was depleted in C-13 relative to both boletes and saprotrophic fungi. Foliar delta N-15 values, on the other hand, were similar to saprotrophic fungi, yet were considerably lower relative to bolete fruiting bodies. Results from this study provide the first isotopic evidence of ectomycorrhizal fungi in lowland SDTF and emphasize the need for further research to better understand the diversity and ecological importance of ectomycorrhizal fungi in these forested ecosystems.
Keywords
Ectomycorrhizae; Saprotrophic fungi; Tropical dry forest; Stable isotopes; Yucatan Peninsula
Published in
Mycorrhiza
2011, volume: 21, number: 6, pages: 465-471
Publisher: SPRINGER
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-010-0355-x
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/58017