DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF TRANSLOCATION OF CARBOHYDRATE IN THE LICHEN, CLADONIA CONVOLUTA, BY QUANTITATIVE AUTORADIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Translocation of carbohydrate between Trebouxia and its associated fungal partner in the lichen, Cladonia convoluta, has been examined directly using quantitative autoradiography. This technique allows measurements to be made without disrupting the symbiotic association and avoids the rapid physiological changes that occur when the symbionts are isolated. The quantity of photosynthetically‐fixed carbon transferred from Trebouxia was higher than measured by previous methods. Release of carbohydrate from Trebouxia was reduced by several metabolic inhibitors indicating at least a partial dependence on energy for the overall process. Copyright © 1981, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved