title: First report of the ectomycorrhizal status of boletes on the Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico determined using isotopic methods.
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 δ(15)N and δ(13)C values differed significantly between boletes and saprotrophic fungi, with boletes 8.0‰ enriched and 2.5‰ depleted in (15)N and (13)C, respectively relative to saprotrophic fungi. Foliage was depleted in (13)C relative to both boletes and saprotrophic fungi. Foliar δ(15)N 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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Conservation Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA. Niles.Hasselquist@seksko.slu.se.|Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences (SLU), SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden. Niles.Hasselquist@seksko.slu.se.
authors.forename: Niles J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hasselquist
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Greg W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Douhan
authors.affiliation: Center for Conservation Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.|Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D002965:Classification / Q000379:methods*; D048690:Fruiting Bodies, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008800:Mexico; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014197:Trees / Q000382:microbiology*; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes