Stable nitrogen isotopes (d15N) in thalli of arid vagrant lichen Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis across an altitudinal gradient of the Khangai Plateau of Mongolia

Abstract

The d 15 N values of stable nitrogen isotopes were determined in samples of organic matter (OM) of thalli of vagrant lichen Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis collected across 13 altitudinal levels within the range of 1550-3250 m above sea level of both steppes and highland meadows of the Khangai Plateau of Mongolia.No correlation between the d 15 N values of lichen OM and the altitude range was detected at the regional scale. However, at a local scale including vegetation type, botanical geographical area of Khangai, and mountain slope, the amount of the 15 N heavy isotope in lichen OM was found to be decreased with an altitude increase.

Disentangling functional trait variation and covariation in epiphytic lichens along a continent-wide latitudinal gradient

“…In line with Vidal-Russell & Messuti [46], who found that having cyanobacteria as the main photobiont has a strong phylogenetic signal, our results reflect the high conservatism of the photobiont partner within the three studied orders. Caliciales and Lecanorales had green algae versus Peltigerales with nitrogen-fixation by cyanobacteria apart from the general nitrogen inflow from deposition [47]. Conversely, variation in Chlb, NPQI, STM, WHC and δ 13 C was mainly observed at the species level, suggesting that the species-level quantification becomes necessary in these traits.…”

Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Values for Plants and Mammals in a Semi-Desert Region of Mongolia

“…Plant studies have explored variation of plant isotopic ratios due to elevation (Kohzu et al, 2009;Biazrov, 2012;Casper et al, 2012), difference in water sources , and desertifi cation from vehicle travel (Li et al, 2006). Mammal studies have focused on the relationship between plant and mammal values within food webs.…”

Diet of Andean leaf-eared mice (Phyllotis) living at extreme elevations on Atacama volcanoes: insights from metagenomics, DNA metabarcoding, and stable isotopes

“…For example, it should be possible to assess the extent to which mice rely on lichen at high elevations. Lichens are typically very 15 N-depleted relative to terrestrial plants (Fogel et al, 2008;Lee, Lim & Yoon, 2009;Pinho et al, 2017), and this holds true for lichens from high elevations (Biazrov, 2012;Marris et al, 2019;Szpak et al, 2013) and volcanic fumeroles (Tozer et al 2005). If lichen forms an important part of the diet of P. vaccarum at high elevations, we would expect to observe negative δ 15 N values.…”