The demi-lichenization of Trametes versicolor (L.:fries) pilat (Polyporaceae): The transfer of fixed ¹⁴CO₂ from epiphytic algae to T. versicolor

Basidiocarps of Trametes versicolor with an epiphytic flora (including Trebouxia sp.) collected from north-central Rhode Island were incubated in an atmosphere of ¹⁴C labeled CO₂ for 6 hours. Using autoradiography, the location of the fixed ¹⁴CO₂ was determined at 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 96h, and 192h. The fixed ¹⁴C was recorded in the epiphytic algae after 6h, and at all subsequent times. After 192h the ¹⁴C was recorded in the fibrillar matrix associated with the epiphytic algae, and appeared to be present in the fungal hyphae in the top smooth, silky layer of the basidiocarp. The results suggest that the epiphytic algae secrete the fixed carbon in a form that Trametes versicolor can potentially assimilate, however, the slow assimilation of the carbon (4-8 days) suggest a casual relationship between T. versicolor and its epiphytic algal flora.