Deyi Wang
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
As an absolute ''plant lover" and ''mycorrhiza fans", I'm devoted to exploring the fantastic symbiosis between plants and mycorrhizal fungi.
I studied orchid mycorrhizal interactions for my PhD project at Leiden Univeristy and Naturalis, NL.
I'm currently a junior postdoctoral researcher at Naturalis Biodiveristy Center, studying the C transfer in arbuscular mycorrhizal systems.
Research interests: Mycorrhiza, Orchids, Mycoheterotrophy, Metabarcoding, Phylogeny, Isotopes
Poster Number / Talk Time
66
Abstract:
Changing partners in the forest? A case study on Neottia ovata reveals the discrepancy in symbiotic association and orchid ecophysiology
D. WANG, G. GEBAUER, H. JACQUEMYN, K. TRIMBOS, S.I.F. GOMES, F.E. ZAHN, V.S.F.T. MERCKX
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
Orchid mycorrhizae consist of unique symbiotic associations between members of the Orchidaceae and multiple ecological guilds of fungi. Although it is well established that shifts in mycorrhizal associations are linked to changes in orchid nutritional mode, it remains unclear what ecological drivers promote these evolutionary changes. Here, we conducted a multi-method approach to investigate how mycorrhizal communities and ecophysiology of the mixotrophic orchid Neottia ovata varied across contrasting habitats in Europe. We hypothesized that forest populations would associate with a higher proportion of ectomycorrhizal fungi than grassland populations and that low-light availability would induce more carbon uptake from fungi. Our metabarcoding approach showed that N. ovata in forests recruited more ectomycorrhizal fungi than grassland populations predominantly recruiting ‘rhizoctonia’ fungi. Conversely, leaf stable isotope signatures were not significantly correlated to habitat type and light availability, and no variation in fungal colonization rate was found between orchid populations. Although a ‘suitable’ set of ectomycorrhizal fungi has been recruited by N. ovata for potential ecological and evolutionary adaptions to increased mycoheterotrophy, their presence did not substantially contribute to the carbon budget of the plants. Thus, our findings demonstrate the discrepancy of plant physiology and symbiotic association and highlights the importance of a deeper understanding of the nutrient exchange between plants and fungi.