Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 24
Filter
1.
J Environ Manage ; 360: 121126, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38761629

ABSTRACT

Soil salinization is a significant global issue that leads to land degradation and loss of ecological function. In coastal areas, salinization hampers vegetation growth, and forestation efforts can accelerate the recovery of ecological functions and enhance resilience to extreme climates. However, the salinity tolerance of tree species varies due to complex biological factors, and results between lab/greenhouse and field studies are often inconsistent. Moreover, in salinized areas affected by extreme climatic and human impacts, afforestation with indigenous species may face adaptability challenges. Therefore, it is crucial to select appropriate cross-species salinity tolerance indicators that have been validated in the field to enhance the success of afforestation and reforestation efforts. This study focuses on five native coastal tree species in Taiwan, conducting afforestation experiments on salt-affected soils mixed with construction and demolition waste. It integrates short-term controlled experiments with potted seedlings and long-term field observations to establish growth performance and physiological and biochemical parameters indicative of salinity tolerance. Results showed that Heritiera littoralis Dryand. exhibited the highest salinity tolerance, accumulating significant leaf proline under increased salinity. Conversely, Melia azedarach Linn. had the lowest tolerance, evidenced by complete defoliation and reduced biomass under salt stress. Generally, the field growth performance of these species aligns with the results of short-term pot experiments. Leaf malondialdehyde content from pot experiments proved to be a reliable cross-species salinity tolerance indicator, correlating negatively with field relative height growth and survival rates. Additionally, parameters related to the photosynthetic system or water status, measured using portable devices, also moderately indicated field survival, aiding in identifying potential salt-tolerant tree species. This study underscores the pivotal role of species selection in afforestation success, demonstrating that small-scale, short-term salinity control experiments coupled with appropriate assessment tools can effectively identify species suitable for highly saline and degraded environments. This approach not only increases the success of afforestation but also conserves resources needed for field replanting and maintenance, supporting sustainable development goals.


Subject(s)
Soil , Soil/chemistry , Salinity , Taiwan , Trees , Salt Tolerance , Conservation of Natural Resources
2.
Cladistics ; 39(4): 249-272, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37079431

ABSTRACT

Antrophyum is one of the largest genera of vittarioid ferns (Pteridaceae) and is most diverse in tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands, but also occurs in temperate Asia, Australia, tropical Africa and the Malagasy region. The only monographic study of Antrophyum was published more than a century ago and a modern assessment of its diversity is lacking. Here, we reconstructed a comprehensively sampled and robustly supported phylogeny for the genus based on four chloroplast markers using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses. We then explored the evolution of the genus from the perspectives of morphology, systematics and historical biogeography. We investigated nine critical morphological characters using a morphometric approach and reconstructed their evolution on the phylogeny. We describe four new species and provide new insight into species delimitation. We currently recognize 34 species for the genus and provide a key to identify them. The results of biogeographical analysis suggest that the distribution of extant species is largely shaped by both ancient and recent dispersal events.


Subject(s)
Ferns , Pteridaceae , Ferns/genetics , Bayes Theorem , Phylogeny , Asia
3.
Cladistics ; 36(2): 164-183, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34618958

ABSTRACT

The thelypteroid fern genus Stegnogramma s.l. contains around 18-35 species and has a global, cross-continental distribution ranging from tropical to temperate regions. Several genera and infrageneric sections have been recognized previously in Stegnogramma s.l., but their phylogenetic relationships are still unclear. In this study, we present a global phylogeny of Stegnogramma s.l. with the most comprehensive sampling to date and aim to pinpoint the phylogenetic positions of biogeographically and taxonomically important taxa. Based on the reconstructed historical biogeography and character evolution, we propose a new (infra)generic classification and discuss the diversification of Stegnogramma s.l. in a biogeographical context. New names or combinations are made for 12 (infra)species, including transferring the monotypic species of Craspedosorus to Leptogramma. Finally, we discuss a possible link between leaf architecture and ecological adaptation, and hypothesize that the increase in leaf dissection and free-vein proportion is an adaptive feature to cool climates in Stegnogramma s.l.

4.
J Plant Res ; 131(1): 67-76, 2018 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28741041

ABSTRACT

The phylogenetic affinities of the fern genus Aenigmopteris have been the subject of considerable disagreement, but until now, no molecular data were available from the genus. Based on the analysis of three chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps16-matK, and trnL-F) we demonstrate that Aenigmopteris dubia (the type species of the genus) and A. elegans are closely related and deeply imbedded in Tectaria. The other three species of genus are morphologically very similar; we therefore transfer all five known species into Tectaria. Detailed morphological comparison further shows that previously proposed diagnostic characters of Aenigmopteris fall within the range of variation of a broadly circumscribed Tectaria.


Subject(s)
DNA, Chloroplast/genetics , Ferns/classification , Phylogeny , Evolution, Molecular , Ferns/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA
5.
New Phytol ; 213(4): 1974-1983, 2017 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28164337

ABSTRACT

Ferns and lycophytes produce spores to initiate the gametophyte stage for sexual reproduction. Approximately 10% of these seedless vascular plants are apomictic, and produce genomic unreduced spores. Genome size comparisons between spores and leaves are a reliable, and potentially easier way to determine their reproductive mode compared to traditional approaches. However, estimation of the spore genome sizes of these plants has not been attempted. We attempted to evaluate the spore genome sizes of ferns and lycophytes using flow cytometry, collected spores from selected species representing different spore physical properties and taxonomic groups, and sought to optimize bead-vortexing conditions. By evaluating the spore and sporophyte genome sizes, we examined whether reproductive modes could be ascertained from these flow cytometry results. We proposed two separate sets of optimized bead-vortexing conditions for the nuclear extraction of green and nongreen spores. We further successfully extracted spore nuclei of 19 families covering most orders, and the qualities and quantities of these extractions satisfied the C-value criteria. These evaluated genome sizes further supported the reproductive modes reported previously. In the current study, flow cytometry was used for the first time to evaluate the spore genome sizes of ferns and lycophytes. This use of spore flow cytometry provides a new, efficient approach to ascertaining the reproductive modes of these plants.


Subject(s)
Ferns/genetics , Flow Cytometry/methods , Genome Size , Spores/genetics , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Chromosomes, Plant/genetics , DNA, Plant/genetics , Germ Cells, Plant/metabolism , Plant Leaves/genetics
6.
Mol Phylogenet Evol ; 114: 271-294, 2017 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28676427

ABSTRACT

The Old World fern genus Pyrrosia (Polypodiaceae) offers a rare system in ferns to study morphological evolution because almost all species of this genus are well studied for their morphology, anatomy, and spore features, and various hypotheses have been proposed in terms of the phylogeny and evolution in this genus. However, the molecular phylogeny of the genus lags behind. The monophyly of the genus has been uncertain and a modern phylogenetic study of the genus based on molecular data has been lacking. In the present study, DNA sequences of five plastid markers of 220 accessions of Polypodiaceae representing two species of Drymoglossum, 14 species of Platycerium, 50 species of Pyrrosia, and the only species of Saxiglossum (subfamily Platycerioideae), and 12 species of other Polypodiaceae representing the remaining four subfamilies are used to infer a phylogeny of the genus. Major results and conclusions of this study include: (1) Pyrrosia as currently circumscribed is paraphyletic in relation to Platycerium and can be divided into two genera: Pyrrosia s.s. and Hovenkampia (gen. nov.), with Hovenkampia and Platycerium forming a strongly supported clade sister to Pyrrosia s.s.; (2) Subfamily Platycerioideae should contain three genera only, Hovenkampia, Platycerium, and Pyrrosia s.s.; (3) Based on the molecular phylogeny, macromorphology, anatomical features, and spore morphology, four major clades in the genus are identified and three of the four are further resolved into four, four, and six subclades, respectively; (4) Three species, P. angustissima, P. foveolata, and P. mannii, not assigned to any groups by Hovenkamp (1986) because of their unusual morphology, each form monospecific clades; (5) Drymoglossum is not monophyletic and those species previously assigned to this genus are resolved in two different subclades; (6) Saxiglossum is resolved as the first lineage in the Niphopsis clade; and (7) The evolution of ten major morphological characters in the subfamily is inferred based on the phylogeny and various morphological synapomorphies for various clades and subclades are identified.


Subject(s)
Evolution, Molecular , Ferns/classification , Plastids/classification , Polypodiaceae/classification , DNA, Plant/chemistry , DNA, Plant/isolation & purification , DNA, Plant/metabolism , Ferns/genetics , Phylogeny , Plant Proteins/classification , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plastids/genetics , Polypodiaceae/genetics , Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/classification , Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA
7.
J Plant Res ; 130(2): 407-416, 2017 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28050681

ABSTRACT

Fern spores were traditionally classified into chlorophyllous (green) and nonchlorophyllous (nongreen) types based on the color visible to the naked eye. Recently, a third type, "cryptochlorophyllous spores", is recognized, and these spores are nongreen under white light but contain chlorophylls. Epifluorescence microscopy was previously used to detect chlorophylls in cryptochlorophyllous spores. In addition to epifluorescence microscopy, current study performed some other approaches, including spore-squash epifluorescence, absorption spectra, laser-induced fluorescence emission spectra, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection (UHPLC-UV-MS) in order to detect chlorophylls of spores of seven ferns (Sphaeropteris lepifera, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Leptochilus wrightii, Leptochilus pothifolius, Lepidomicrosorum buergerianum, Osmunda banksiifolia, and Platycerium grande). Destructive methods, such as TLC and UHPLC-UV-MS, successfully detected chlorophylls inside the spores when their signals of red fluorescence under epifluorescence microscope were masked by spore wall. Although UHPLC-UV-MS analysis was the most sensitive and reliable for determining the chlorophylls of spores, spore-squash epifluorescence is not only reliable but also cost- and time-effective one among our study methods. In addition, we first confirmed that Lepidomicrosorium buergerianum, Leptochilus pothifolius, Leptochilus wrightii, and Platycerium grande, produce cryptochlorophyllous spores.


Subject(s)
Chlorophyll/metabolism , Ferns/metabolism , Spores/chemistry , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Chromatography, Thin Layer , Fluorescence , Mass Spectrometry , Polypodiaceae/metabolism , Pteridaceae/metabolism , Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
8.
J Plant Res ; 130(2): 255-262, 2017 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28012123

ABSTRACT

Independent gametophyte ferns are unique among vascular plants because they are sporophyteless and reproduce asexually to maintain their populations in the gametophyte generation. Such ferns had been primarily discovered in temperate zone, and usually hypothesized with (sub)tropical origins and subsequent extinction of sporophyte due to climate change during glaciations. Presumably, independent fern gametophytes are unlikely to be distributed in tropics and subtropics because of relatively stable climates which are less affected by glaciations. Nonetheless, the current study presents cases of two independent gametophyte fern species in subtropic East Asia. In this study, we applied plastid DNA sequences (trnL-L-F and matK + ndhF + chlL datasets) and comprehensive sampling (~80%) of congeneric species for molecular identification and divergence time estimation of these independent fern gametophytes. The two independent gametophyte ferns were found belonging to genus Haplopteris (vittarioids, Pteridaceae) and no genetic identical sporophyte species in East Asia. For one species, divergence times between its populations imply recent oversea dispersal(s) by spores occurred during Pleistocene. By examining their ex situ and in situ fertility, prezygotic sterility was found in these two Haplopteris, in which gametangia were not or very seldom observed, and this prezygotic sterility might attribute to their lacks of functional sporophytes. Our field observation and survey on their habitats suggest microhabitat conditions might attribute to this prezygotic sterility. These findings point to consideration of whether recent climate change during the Pleistocene glaciation resulted in ecophysiological maladaptation of non-temperate independent gametophyte ferns. In addition, we provided a new definition to classify fern gametophyte independences at the population level. We expect that continued investigations into tropical and subtropical fern gametophyte floras will further illustrate the biogeographic significance of non-temperate fern gametophyte independence.


Subject(s)
DNA, Plant/genetics , Plastids/genetics , Pteridaceae/physiology , DNA, Plant/metabolism , Germ Cells, Plant/physiology , Japan , Plastids/metabolism , Pteridaceae/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Taiwan
9.
Anal Biochem ; 442(1): 24-33, 2013 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23911527

ABSTRACT

A wide variety of sulfur metabolites play important roles in plant functions. We have developed a precise and sensitive method for the simultaneous measurement of several sulfur metabolites based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and (34)S metabolic labeling of sulfur-containing metabolites in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. However, some sulfur metabolites were unstable during the extraction procedure. Our proposed method does not allow for the detection of the important sulfur metabolite homocysteine because of its instability during sample extraction. Stable isotope-labeled sulfur metabolites of A. thaliana shoot were extracted and utilized as internal standards for quantification of sulfur metabolites with LC-MS/MS using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), methionine (Met), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) as example metabolites. These metabolites were detected using electrospray ionization in positive mode. Standard curves were linear (r(2)>0.99) over a range of concentrations (SAM 0.01-2.0µM, SAH 0.002-0.10µM, Met 0.05-4.0µM, GSH 0.17-20.0µM, GSSG 0.07-20.0µM), with limits of detection for SAM, SAH, Met, GSH, and GSSG of 0.83, 0.67, 10, 0.56, and 1.1nM, respectively; and the within-run and between-run coefficients of variation based on quality control samples were less than 8%.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis/chemistry , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Indicator Dilution Techniques , Sulfur/analysis , Sulfur/metabolism , Chromatography, Liquid , Molecular Structure , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization , Sulfur Isotopes , Tandem Mass Spectrometry
10.
Ann Bot ; 111(4): 663-73, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23380240

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The gametophyte phase of ferns plays an important role in habitat selection, dispersal, adaptation and evolution. However, ecological studies on fern gametophytes have been impeded due to the difficulty of species identification of free-living gametophytes. DNA barcoding provides an alternative approach to identifying fern gametophytes but is rarely applied to field studies. In this study, an example of field vittarioid gametophyte identification using DNA barcoding, which has not been done before, is given. METHODS: A combination of distance-based and tree-based approaches was performed to evaluate the discriminating power of three candidate barcodes (matK, rbcL and trnL-F) on 16 vittarioid sporophytes. Sequences of the trnL-F region were generated from 15 fern gametophyte populations by tissue-direct PCR and were compared against the sporophyte dataset, using BLAST. KEY RESULTS: trnL-F earns highest primer universality and discriminatory ability scores, whereas PCR success rates were very low for matK and rbcL regions (10·8 % and 41·3 %, respectively). BLAST analyses showed that all the sampled field gametophytes could be successfully identified to species level. Three gametophyte populations were also discovered to be living beyond the known occurrence of their sporophyte counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that DNA barcoding (i.e. reference databasing, tissue-direct PCR and molecular analysis), especially the trnL-F region, is an efficient tool to identify field gametophytes, and has considerable potential in exploring the ecology of fern gametophytes.


Subject(s)
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods , Genetic Markers , Pteridaceae/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Ecosystem , Germ Cells, Plant/physiology , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Taiwan
11.
Mycologia ; 105(4): 861-72, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23709481

ABSTRACT

The scaly tree fern, Cyathea lepifera, in Taiwan has been devastated by an ascomycetous pathogen in recent years. This fungus resembles species of Diaporthe, but unlike anamorphs of Diaporthe that produce two types of conidia, its anamorph produces one conidium type. It is described herein as Ophiodiaporthe cyatheae gen. et sp. nov. Through pathogenicity tests, O. cyatheae was demonstrated to be the causal agent of the C. lepifera wilt disease. Of interest, sporulating structures of O. cyatheae have not been found on C. lepifera plants but in culture thus far. The mating system is homothallic. Phylogenetic analyses based on combined sequences of nSSU-rDNA, nLSU-rDNA, EF1-α-1 and RPB2 placed O. cyatheae in Diaporthaceae. Combined sequences of EF1-α-2 and TUB indicated that O. cyatheae had its origin within Diaporthe.


Subject(s)
Ascomycota/isolation & purification , Ferns/microbiology , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Ascomycota/classification , Ascomycota/genetics , Phylogeny , Taiwan
12.
Appl Plant Sci ; 10(2): e11473, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35495188

ABSTRACT

Premise: The entire life cycle of ferns has been documented, yet their life histories are still poorly understood. In particular, the phenology of fern gametophytes remains largely unknown. To address this issue, we demonstrated a new ecological approach to explore the phenological link between spore release and gametophyte maturation within the life history of a tree fern species. Methods: We conducted a serial survey of Alsophila podophylla gametophyte abundance in the field, and recorded the time of its spore release. Every two months for one year, all terrestrial fern gametophytes in an unsampled subplot were collected and identified using tissue-direct PCR. Results: We found temporal differences in gametophyte abundances, with a sevenfold difference between the highest and lowest months. The number of spores released was linked to the gametophyte abundance two months later. The switch from gametophyte to juvenile sporophyte was found to be most correlated with precipitation. Discussion: The observed fluctuation in gametophyte abundance and population structure was likely associated with the phenology of spore release and environmental factors. Importantly, these findings provide the first evidence of phenological links between different developmental stages in a fern's life history.

13.
Plants (Basel) ; 12(1)2022 Dec 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36616269

ABSTRACT

Spores and pollen of plants were used as flow cytometric materials to efficiently infer genome sizes. Given this advantage, they hold great potential for various flow cytometric applications, particularly as plant genome size standards. To develop such novel standards, we investigated conditions of pretreatment (bead vortex), buffer, and reliable genome sizes of three fern spore collections-Cibotium taiwanense "Kuo4395", Sphaeropteris lepifera "Tang0001", and Alsophila metteniana "Lee s.n.". Additionally, up to 30 year-old spore collections were obtained from herbarium specimens and from samples stored at 4 °C; their spore nuclei were extracted, and the quality and quantity of these nucleus extractions through storage ages were examined. Nuclear extractions with a longer bead vortex duration or lower spore/bead ratio generally resulted in a higher recovered quantity but a lower quality or purity. For each spore standard, the protocol optimization was determined by their performance in bead vortex conditions, and a 1C genome size was further inferred by linear regression (C. taiwanense "Kuo4395" = 5.058 pg; S. lepifera "Tang0001" = 7.117 pg; and A. metteniana "Lee s.n." = 19.379 pg). Spore nucleus quality and quantity are significantly negatively correlated with storage ages. Nuclear extractions of 10-year-old refrigerated spores remained qualified as a genome size standard; however, none of the herbarium spore collections fit such criteria. Our study is the first to develop and apply dried and refrigerated spores for genome size standards. These standards are ready to use, easy to manipulate, and feature long-term storage in comparison with traditionally used standards of fresh leaves.

14.
Nat Commun ; 12(1): 6348, 2021 11 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34732722

ABSTRACT

To conserve water in arid environments, numerous plant lineages have independently evolved Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Interestingly, Isoetes, an aquatic lycophyte, can also perform CAM as an adaptation to low CO2 availability underwater. However, little is known about the evolution of CAM in aquatic plants and the lack of genomic data has hindered comparison between aquatic and terrestrial CAM. Here, we investigate underwater CAM in Isoetes taiwanensis by generating a high-quality genome assembly and RNA-seq time course. Despite broad similarities between CAM in Isoetes and terrestrial angiosperms, we identify several key differences. Notably, Isoetes may have recruited the lesser-known 'bacterial-type' PEPC, along with the 'plant-type' exclusively used in other CAM and C4 plants for carboxylation of PEP. Furthermore, we find that circadian control of key CAM pathway genes has diverged considerably in Isoetes relative to flowering plants. This suggests the existence of more evolutionary paths to CAM than previously recognized.


Subject(s)
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism/physiology , Photosynthesis/physiology , Tracheophyta/genetics , Tracheophyta/metabolism , Carbon Dioxide/metabolism , Crassulacean Acid Metabolism/genetics , Evolution, Molecular , Gene Expression , Genome , Genome Size , Lignin/biosynthesis , Magnoliopsida , Plants/metabolism , Taiwan , Water , Whole Genome Sequencing
15.
PhytoKeys ; 170: 1-23, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33363432

ABSTRACT

In the process of undertaking a comprehensive review of the pteridophytes of the Solomon Islands, multiple unidentified specimens of the fern genus Ptisana Murdock (Marattiaceae) were collected. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses as well as field observations were required to identify the Solomon Islands taxa. Four species and one variety are recognized from the Solomon Islands: Ptisana ambulans Murdock & C.W. Chen, sp. nov., Ptisana decipiens Murdock & C.W. Chen, sp. nov., Ptisana decipiens var. delicata Murdock & C.W. Chen, var. nov., Ptisana papuana (Alderw.) Murdock & C.W. Chen, comb. nov., and Ptisana smithii (Mett. ex Kuhn) Murdock. The complexities in the identification of Solomon Islands collections show the limits of morphology in the genus and illuminate a path forward for untangling the Ptisana taxonomy on a broader scale.

16.
PhytoKeys ; 131: 69-81, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31565025

ABSTRACT

A new species of Bolbitis, B. lianhuachihensis sp. nov., was found in central Taiwan. It most resembles B. virens var. compacta and B. hainanensis. A phylogenetic tree of Taiwanese and other Asian species of Bolbitis species supports the recognition of the new species. Morphologically, the combination of anastomosing venation and fewer sterile pinnae are critical characters to discriminate B. lianhuachihensis from other Taiwanese Bolbitis species. Bolbitis lianhuachihensis can be further distinguished from B. virens var. compacta and B. hainanensis by having lanceolate sterile pinnae and absent or fewer free veinlets in small areoles of sterile pinnae. The morphological descriptions, illustration, ecology and distribution of the new species are presented. A key to all Taiwanese Bolbitis is also provided.

17.
PLoS One ; 13(11): e0207712, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30475849

ABSTRACT

Pteris (Pteridaceae) spores are usually trilete and can be distinguished by the perine ornamentation. The systematic value of spore morphology in Pteris is unclear, especially based on the renewed infrageneric classification of Pteris. In the present study, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand spore characters in 57 Pteris species, one Onychium species, and two Astrolepis species; 40 species are reported here for the first time. The observed spore characters combined with published spore data, totaling 100 species from 16 sections of Pteris, were mapped onto a reconstructed phylogenetic tree. Seven characters (five proposed in previous studies), including an equatorial flange, laesural ridges, proximal ridges, distal ridges, tubercula on distal faces, coarse reticula on distal faces, and a row of extervermiculi between the distal face and equatorial flange, were analyzed to investigate spore morphology evolution in Pteris. However, the results showed no synapomorphies with other genera in Pteridaceae. Most of the characters were found to have arisen independently several times in different lineages or were even frequently reversed. Equatorial flanges and tubercula on distal faces are plesiomorphies and present in most Pteris species. Overall, the application of spore morphology in section circumscription is limited. Thus, we suggest combining spore morphology with leaf characters for Pteris infrageneric classification.


Subject(s)
Pteris/anatomy & histology , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Phylogeny , Pteris/classification , Pteris/physiology , Spores/physiology
18.
Front Plant Sci ; 9: 486, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29755486

ABSTRACT

Organelle genomes of land plants are predominately inherited maternally but in some cases can also be transmitted paternally or biparentally. Compared to seed plants (>83% genera of angiosperms and >12% genera of gymnosperms), plastid genome (plastome) inheritance has only been investigated in fewer than 2% of fern genera, and mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) from only one fern genus. We developed a new and efficient method to examine plastome and mitogenome inheritance in a fern species-Deparia lancea (Athyriaceae, Aspleniineae, Polypodiales), and found that plastid and mitochondrial DNAs were transmitted from only the maternal parentage to a next generation. To further examine whether both organelle genomes have the same manner of inheritance in other Deparia ferns, we sequenced both plastid and mitochondrial DNA regions of inter-species hybrids, and performed phylogenetic analyses to identify the origins of organellar DNA. Evidence from our experiments and phylogenetic analyses support that both organelle genomes in Deparia are uniparentally and maternally inherited. Most importantly, our study provides the first report of mitogenome inheritance in eupolypod ferns, and the second one among all ferns.

19.
Nat Plants ; 4(7): 460-472, 2018 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29967517

ABSTRACT

Ferns are the closest sister group to all seed plants, yet little is known about their genomes other than that they are generally colossal. Here, we report on the genomes of Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata (Salviniales) and present evidence for episodic whole-genome duplication in ferns-one at the base of 'core leptosporangiates' and one specific to Azolla. One fern-specific gene that we identified, recently shown to confer high insect resistance, seems to have been derived from bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. Azolla coexists in a unique symbiosis with N2-fixing cyanobacteria, and we demonstrate a clear pattern of cospeciation between the two partners. Furthermore, the Azolla genome lacks genes that are common to arbuscular mycorrhizal and root nodule symbioses, and we identify several putative transporter genes specific to Azolla-cyanobacterial symbiosis. These genomic resources will help in exploring the biotechnological potential of Azolla and address fundamental questions in the evolution of plant life.


Subject(s)
Biological Evolution , Cyanobacteria , Ferns/genetics , Genome, Plant/genetics , Symbiosis , Ferns/microbiology , Gene Duplication/genetics , Genes, Plant/genetics , Phylogeny , Symbiosis/genetics
20.
Bio Protoc ; 7(11): e2322, 2017 Jun 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34541084

ABSTRACT

Seedless vascular plants, including ferns and lycophytes, produce spores to initiate the gametophyte stage and to complete sexual reproduction. Approximately 10% of them are apomictic through the production of genomic unreduced spores. Being able to measure the spore nuclear DNA content is therefore important to infer their reproduction mode. Here we present a protocol of spore flow cytometry that allows an efficient determination of the reproductive modes of seedless vascular plants.

SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL