Further Notes on Polytrichum commune L.

Abstract

It baa been show that the one-third divergance of the 1eaf-scale in the rhizome and middle regions is bound up with parallel type of segmentation at the apex, while the encroaching type result in higher divergence.

The general arrangement of the tissues in the oil is influenced by the type of apical aegmentation. The delineation of the primary aegments is soon lost, on account of lateral overlapping, but it can be seen that in the rhizome the three rows of radial plates represent the median regions of the aegments and correspond with the vein region in the acale leaves with which they are connected. As the axis grows, rhizoids, rhizoid wicks and sometimes branch buds are developed from epidermal cells exterior to the radial strands. This, coupled with the fact that the cells of these strands contain a larger amount of starch and other organic materials than the other regions of the cortex, indicates that they are the main conducting channels between the branches and the rhizoid system and the central conducting column.

In the middle region, the primary aegmentation is fundamentally the same as that of the rhizome, the parallel type being maintained until green leaves appear. The chief difference lies in the cell division, which is more frequent and accompanied by a strengthening of the cell walls of the cortex and a concentration of hydroids to the centre In the region corresponding with that occupied by the radial strands, groups of smaller cells forming rudimentary leaf traces can sometimes be distinguished. These are comparable with the more definite leaf traces described by Goebel (1906) in the case of Dawsonia superba R.Br., a 1arge form, 30-40 cm. long, found in Australia and New Zealand.

In the green-leaved region the change to the encroaching type of segmentation has taken place, and is accompanied by increased overlapping and further differentiation of tissues of the leaf trace and other tissues of the axis.     

Growth pattern and modular reiteration of a hardy coloniser Polytrichum commune Hedw.

Heathlands in Brittany are subject to recurrent summer burning. Recolonisation after large fires begins with bryophytes, but species composition during succession may be altered by colonies of Polytrichum commune Hedw. which appears to be able to prevent reestablishment of the typical heathland formation. Three complementary levels of investigation were adopted in attempting to understand how P. commune, manages to persist and succeed in space open to rapid saturation.Analysis at the level of the local plant community, showed radical changes in the distribution and composition of the herbaceous and muscinal layers over two years. Between May 1992 and May 1994, P. commune cover increased from 13% to 77% accompanied by an appreciable decrease in other pioneer species.We compared individual colony growth of P. commune with that of Polytrichum piliferum, another pioneer moss. In both species, horizontal and vertical growth occurred in spring and autumn. During 1995, P. commune colony diameter had increased by a factor of 4.0 compared with 3.6 for P. piliferum. Over the same interval, colony height increased by a factor of 1.3 for P. commune compared with 1.8 for P. piliferum.Analysis at the level of the module showed that 79% of experimentally cultured stems produced branches, 25% producing a single branch, 32% two branches, and 25% 4 to 7 branches. The lower the location of new branches on culture stems, the longer their leafed section and the greater their overall length. These new branches were morphologically and functionally new ramets.These observations on P. commune conform to the inhibition model of community succession (Connell & Slatyer 1977). Successional patterns recorded in the present study could be interpreted in terms of differences in species colony growth ability. Dense colony growth would allow a species to saturate one of the more important ecosystem compartment. Polytric capacity to grow simultaneously and efficiently in the few centimetres in and above the soil surface could prevent seedling establishment and decrease fitness of coexisting Poaceae.     

贵州喀斯特高原金发藓原变种(Polytrichum commune Hedw.var.commune)蒴齿水湿运动研究

为探究线齿藓类植物在水湿运动中蒴齿结构的变化及对孢子散发的影响,选取贵州喀斯特高原金发藓原变种(Polytrichum commune Hedw.var.commune)为研究对象,通过观察湿度变化下蒴齿结构差异及孢子释放规律,拟揭示水湿运动对孢子释放的影响和功能。结果显示:①湿度增加引起蒴齿间距及盖膜面积的显著增大,并在干燥时恢复。其中齿间距从8.33μm显著增加到11.53μm,同时盖膜面积扩大20%。②在连续风吹试验中,水湿运动初期孢子释放量显著提高,随蒴齿结构的恢复呈下降趋势,并最终保持在极低的孢子释放数量。同时发现,湿度增加导致孢子释放中簇孢占比的提高,并随孢子释放量的减少呈上升趋势,并在蒴齿结构恢复时达到显著差异。③通过单独对干燥期、水湿运动初期及蒴齿结构恢复期进行风吹试验发现,水湿运动初期孢子释放量显著高于干燥期和蒴齿结构再恢复期。当蒴齿结构恢复时,由于簇孢占比的提高,孢子的释放数量仍能显著高于干燥期。本研究表明在水湿运动中金发藓原变种蒴齿结构发生改变,进而显著提高孢子的释放量,并在蒴齿结构恢复时仍能保持高于干燥时的孢子释放能力,这对该物种的传播及繁衍具有积极的意义。     

Polytrichum commune Hedw. and Polytrichadelphus magellanicus (Hedw.) Mitt. used as decorative material on New Zealand Maori cloaks

Abstract

Confirmation of the occurrence of the moss Ptychomnion densifolium on the main islands of New Zealand is provided and the features which separate it from the more common P. aciculare are outlined. A brief account of the history of P. densifolium in New Zealand is given and its morphology there is discussed. A key to the two species in New Zealand is provided and habitat differences between them outlined. New Zealand material differs from type locality (Tristan d' Acunha) material in having longer and more twisted acumens, and in this respect is similar to New Zealand material of P. aciculare. New Zealand populations of P. densifolium are recognisable in having stem leaves reflexed from an oblong sheathing base, and well developed basal leaf plications. It is a relatively widespread species in New Zealand, occurring in mostly upper elevation, open sites.     

Polyunsaturated hydrocarbons from Polytrichum commune spores

Polytrichum commune Hedw. spores were found to contain the polyunsaturated hydrocarbons normal all-cis-6,9,12,15-heneicosatetrane (20· ± 0·5 μg/100 mg spores) and normal all-cis-3,6,9,12,15-heneicosapentaene (22·5 ± 1·2 μg/100 mg spores), N- alkanes were present only in minor amounts.     

RNA Synthesis in the Shoot Apex of Polytrichum formosum Hedw.

RNA metabolism in the cells of the gametophyte shoot apex ofPolytrichum formosum was investigated using both microspectrophotometricand autoradiographic methods along with an accurate measurementof surfaces and volumes of nuclei, nucleoli, free cytoplasmand vacuolar systems. On a per cell basis, the amount of RNAand the rate of RNA synthesis were shown to be highest in theapical cell. On the other hand, both RNA concentration and rateof synthesis for a unit quantity of cytoplasm were found tobe higher in leaf initials and in the cells of young leavesthan in theapical cell, the segments and the segmental derivatives.For the various types of cells in the shoot apex it was establishedthat the more voluminous the nucleolus, the higher the RNA syntheticrate per cell. These results were correlated with the data previouslyobtained on the mitotic cycles in Polytrichum. It is concludedthat in the apical cell, notwithstanding its differentiatedfeatures, RNA metabolism must be considered on the whole tobe very active. These various data are compared with those obtainedon angiosperm shoot apices.     

Die submikroskopische Struktur der Assimilatleitbahnen von Polytrichum commune

Summary In the young part of the stem of Polytrichum commune the protoplasts of the two types of conducting cells, the leptoids and parenchyma cells, are nearly identically equipped with cell organelles and cytoplasmic structures. Both types contain a nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and dictyosomes. The endoplasmic reticulum builds characteristic cisterns in form of hollow cylinders extending from one end wall to the other. The cisterns are connected with many plasmodesmata, which occur only in the end walls. Leptoids have oblique end walls with 16 to 20 plasmodesmata per m², and parenchyma cells show cross walls perpendicular to the axis with 9 to 12 plasmodesmata per m².Since the leptoids are supposed to be the pathways for the longitudinal transport of assimilates (Eschrich and Steiner, 1967, 1968), it is of interest that early in their development these elements undergo a change in their protoplasmatic structure. Two to 3 cm below the apical cell the protoplasts degenerate and show lysosome-like structures. The endoplasmic reticulum and other structures are deformed or dissolved; the plasmodesmata are constricted by callose deposits. At the same level the parenchyma cells still retain the original structure of their protoplasts.Thus, assimilates moving upward in one row of leptoids may penetrate the whole lumen of the leptoids at lower levels, but they are restricted to the cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum at higher levels of the stem.     

大金发藓和小蛇苔化学他感作用的生物测定

以绿豆、油菜和萝卜种子为生测材料,以大金发藓（Polytrichum commune Hedw.）和小蛇苔(Conocephalum japonicum(Thunb.) Grolle.)的水提取液为处理液,测定了二种苔藓植物提取液在三种浓度下对三种作物种子萌发率、萌发指数、萌发势、种子活力、幼苗根重和鲜重和根长等指标的影响。发现绿豆是理想的生测材料,种子活力指数、幼苗鲜重、根重和根长是理想的生测指标;二种苔藓植物的水提取液表现出类似于激素样的作用方式,对种子萌发和幼苗生长,表现为低浓度下促进、高浓度时抑制的化学他感效应。     

Light Dependence of Chloroplast Replication and Starch Metabolism in the Moss Polytrichum commune

Spores of Polytrichum conwtuine were grown on a mineral salt solution with or without sucrose and exposed to continuous white light, continuous darkness, red light and/or far-red light. With sucrose, germination and filament growth occurred in all conditions, Without sucrose, germination and filament growth occurred only in light. Two phytochrome mediated responses of the chloroplasts were demonstrated. Chloroplast replication occurred in continuous white light and red light of 15 min/6 hours. In continuous darkness and in far red light of 15 min/6 hours, the size of the chloroplasts increased; but no replication occurred. Both the chloroplast replication and chloroplast size were red, far-red light reversible. When changed from one continuous light environment to another, a lag period occurred before the chloroplasts responded to the new environment. Electron micrographs of sections and in vivo staining of the chloroplasts with iodine solution demonstrated that the change in size of the chloroplasts was at least partially due to the synthesis and degradation of starch.     

脱水和复水过程中金发藓(Polytrichum commune)与湿地匐灯藓(Plagiomnium acutum)叶绿素荧光特性变化的比较研究

以来自不同水分生境的金发藓(Polytrichum commune)和湿地匐灯藓(Plagiomnium acutum)为材料,利用叶绿素荧光成像技术比较了脱水和复水过程中两种藓类的荧光光响应曲线、光系统Ⅱ光能转化效率(ratio ofchlorophyll variation fluorescence,Fv/Fm)、光系统Ⅱ光量子产量(quantum yielding of PSⅡ,Y(Ⅱ))、光化学猝灭(photochemical quenching,qP)和非光化学猝灭(none-photochemical quenching,NPQ)的变化.结果显示,在脱水过程中,金发藓的抑制光强可维持在800μmol/(m2.s)以上,而湿地匐灯藓可低至400μmol/(m2.s)左右;金发藓ETR(electron transportation rate)值始终可维持在20附近,而湿地匐灯藓可降至0;两种藓类的Fv/Fm、Y(Ⅱ)、qP均下降,但金发藓较湿地匐灯藓高;NPQ先升后降,金发藓的峰值早于湿地匐灯藓,而幅度低于湿地匐灯藓.在复水过程中,两种藓类抑制光强和ETR均迅速恢复后略有下降,金发藓的恢复较湿地匐灯藓慢但波动小;两种藓类Fv/Fm和Y(Ⅱ)均能恢复到正常水平,金发藓均高于湿地匐灯藓;两种藓类qP略有上升,NPQ则略有下降.说明藓类植物对脱水伤害的耐受能力主要体现在复水的修复能力上,而脱水持续和程度会对不同生境的藓类产生不同的胁迫效应.从光保护能力的角度来看,生活于易产生水分亏缺条件下的金发藓比生活在水分充沛条件下的湿地匐灯藓具有更强的脱水耐受能力.     

Changes in the Content of Phytyl and Geranylgeranyl Esters of Germinating Polytrichum commune Spores

Polytrichum commune spores contained esterified phytol and geranylgeraniol, 706 and 114 μg, respectively, per 100 mg dry weight of freshly collected spores. After storage for 9 months the level of esterified phytol of the spores was decreased by c. 600 μg, whereas the level of esterified geranylgeraniol was more or less unchanged. The changes in the level of esterified prenols during germination follow the same pattern in freshly collected and in 9 month-old spore material. An immediate steep decrease between 0 and 3 h was followed by an increase in the level of esterified phytol between 3 and 12 h and by a constant value for esterified geranylgeraniol during the same period. Between 12 and 48 h the level of both types of esterified prenols decreased. In the freshly collected spores the amount of esterified prenols increased after 48 h of germination, in the older spores after 72 h. Free phytol was found in trace amounts in dry and germinating spores and in the protonema.     

Structural features of Polytrichum formosum Hedw. populations along a habitat sequence of cutover restoration in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

In order to detect the effects of forest harvesting on bryophyte populations, structural parameters (frequency, coverage, density, height, and biomass) of Polytrichum formosum Hedw. populations in the eastern Tibetan Plateau were investigated on four cutover habitats which had been harvested by clear-cut in 1998, 1997, 1994 and 1990, representing restoration histories of 4, 5, 8, and 12 years, and on nearby primary spruce forest. Vascular plant coverage including shrubs, herbs and litter was estimated as well. It was found that the moss was not recorded in the nearby primary spruce forest but occurred on all clear-cut habitats. The frequency index, coverage, average height, shoot density and biomass on all cutovers was 23.8±10.3% (±SD), 1.8±2.5%, 105.5±53.3 mm, 1,358.9±1,744.1 shoot/m² and 7.3±12.5 g/m², respectively. The moss population on clear-cut habitat was an invading pioneer moss, and the structural parameters showed large-scale variability, agreeing with the initial hypothesis that deforestation promoted the establishment of the moss, which prefers light, on clear-cut habitats. Of all structural parameters, only the average height increased across clear-cut habitats along the restoration sequence. The relationships between the structural parameters and vascular coverage indicated the moss only occurred patchily on clear-cut habitats. The population occurrence potentially depended on shrub coverage, and the development was crucially controlled by herb coverage. The results suggested that the present structure of P. formosum populations on the clear-cut habitats was the result of environmental degradation resulting from forest clear-cut logging, population biology and reproductive strategies.     

Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Steryl and Wax Esters in Germinating Spores of Polytrichum commune

Polytrichum commune spores contained 5.61 ± 0.52 mg steryl and wax esters, including volatile compounds, per 100 mg dry weight of spores. Volatile compounds were not found in 3-h-old sporelings. The content of the steryl and wax ester fraction, excluding the volatile compounds, is slightly increased during the first 6 h of germination. Thereafter, the content is decreased throughout the germination. Thus, 3-day-old sporelings contained 0.52 ± 0.05 mg steryl and wax esters per 100 mg dry weight of spores. In connection with protonema growth, steryl and wax esters were produced, and the 7-day-old cultures contained 5.09 ± 0.37 mg steryl and wax esters per 100 mg dry weight of spores. The main fatty acids of the steryl and wax ester fraction of dry spores and germinating spores as well as of protonemata were palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. Polyunsaturated C 20 acids were present only in trace or small amounts. Phytanic and phytenic acids were found in small amounts in dry spores, in 3- to 72-h-old sporelings, and in protonemata.     

Studies on Moss Spores. IV. Mass Spectrometric Identification of Saturated and Monoenoic Long Chain Fatty Acids in the Triglyceride Fraction of Polytrichum commune Spores

The saturated long chain fatty acid methyl esters of the triglyceride fraction of Polytrichum commune spores were separated by silver nitrate TLC and identified by a combination of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique. The saturated fatty acid methyl esters were straight-chained, and even-numbered with carbon numbers ranging from 12 to 26 or odd-numbered with carbon numbers ranging from 13 to 25. The major components of the fraction containing saturated fatty acid methyl esters were methyl palmitate and methyl stearate. The fatty acid methyl esters of the monoenoic fraction isolated by silver nitrate TLC were converted to TMSO derivates which were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The analysis gave evidence of positional isomers. The fraction contained the following straight chain monoenoic fatty acid methyl ester isomers: methyl 7-cis-hexadecenoate, methyl 9-cis-hexadecenoate, methyl 9-cis-heptadecenoate, methyl 9-cis-octadecenoate, methyl 11-cis-octadecenoate, and methyl 11-cis-eicosenoate. The major components were methyl 9-cis-octadecenoate and methyl 7-cis-hexadecenoate.     

Effect of habitat fragmentation on levels and patterns of genetic diversity in natural populations of the peat moss Polytrichum commune

Peat bogs represent unique ecosystems that are under particular threat from fragmentation due to peat harvesting, with only 38% of the original peatland in Europe remaining intact and unaffected by peat cutting, drainage and silviculture. In this study, we have used microsatellite markers to determine levels and patterns of genetic diversity in both cut and uncut natural populations of the peat moss Polytrichum commune. Overall diversity levels suggest that there is more genetic variation present than had previously been assumed for bryophytes. Despite this, diversity values from completely cut bogs were found to be lower than those from uncut peatlands (average 0.729 versus 0.880). In addition, the genetic diversity was more highly structured in the cut populations, further suggesting that genetic drift is already affecting genetic diversity in peat bogs subjected to fragmentation.