Bryophytes from some travertine-depositing sites in France and the U.K.: relationships with climate and water chemistry

Abstract

The bryophyte florash of 14 travertine-depositing sites in the French Alps and Britain were investigated and consisted of 34 taxa (26 mosses and eight hepatics), with the commonest species, Eucladium verticillatum and Palustriella (Cratoneuron) commutata, occurring in both countries. Species richness ranged from 3-15 and was related mainly to site size and heterogeneity with respect to water flow. Bryophytes grew within or close to Ca-bicarbonate waters with base concentrations (HCO₃ ) ranging from 1.42 to 7.58 mM at pH 6.9-8.3. P. commutata sensu lato was found to extend to more northerly sites in Europe than E. verticillatum, although the two species were frequently present at the same site. Principal component analysis suggested that the distribution of P. commutata var. commutata was influenced more by temperature than water chemistry.     

Himalayan Moss Notes

Abstract

Studies of the relative and absolute lengths of mitotic chromosomes show that Pellia endiviifolia is cytologically distinct from the species P. megaspora, P. epiphylla and P. neesiana. This supports the recognition, on morphological grounds, of P. megaspora as a species distinct from P. endiviifolia.     

Effectiveness of ISSR markers for determination of the Aneura pinguis cryptic species and Aneura maxima

Aneura pinguis and Aneura maxima belong to the simple thalloid liverworts. Previous isozyme studies revealed that A. pinguis is a complex of cryptic species difficult to distinguished based on morphology. In the present study four cryptic species of the A. pinguis complex and A. maxima were examined by means of ISSR method to assess genetic variation and to develop species-specific markers. Eight ISSR primers used generated 460 bands, of which 453 were polymorphic. The highest values of resolving power 28.4 and marker index 18.1 were noted for primer 835 (AG)₈-YC, while polymorphism information content for primer 842 (GA)₇-AYG. The total gene diversity (H_T) based on polymorphic loci was 0.284 for A. pinguis and 0.06 for A. maxima. ISSR markers supported existence of cryptic species in A. pinguis and showed genetic isolation between them. Species-specific bands were found for all studied cryptic species of A. pinguis and A. maxima, thus ISSRs can be used for their identification. A. maxima clearly differ from all the A. pinguis cryptic species in each amplified ISSR primer. The AMOVA conducted for the A. pinguis complex showed that most of genetic variation (Φ_PT 0.586) was present among species.     

Seasonal phosphatase activities of mosses from Upper Teesdale,northern England

Abstract

Changes in tissue nutrient concentrations and surface phosphatase activities of eight moss species were measured over one year in terrestrial and semi-aquatic environments on Widdybank Fell, Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve, northern England. Rates of phosphatase activity in apical regions of moss shoots differed markedly between species, but were generally greatest in the winter and least in the summer in most species. Mean values for phosphomonoesterase activity (µmol para-nitrophenol g^-1 d.wt h^-1) ranged from 18.2 for Polytrichum commune to 85.8 for Palustriella commutata var. falcata. Mean phosphodiesterase activity ranged from 3.1 for Polytrichum commune to 86.2 for Hylocomium splendens. In contrast, tissue nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations remained relatively constant throughout the year. Phosphatase activities were negatively correlated with tissue phosphorus concentration for several species, although few relationships were detected between ambient nutrient concentrations and phosphatase activity, tissue nitrogen, or tissue phosphorus concentration. These results demonstrate that phosphatase activities can provide a sensitive indicator of nutrient stress in terrestrial and semi-aquatic mosses, notably in the ectohydric Hylocomium splendens. However, further studies at sites with a wide range of nutrient levels are required to determine whether the technique can be used to indicate ambient nutrient status.     

Occurrence of a potent piscicidal diterpenedial in the liverwort Riccardia lobata var. Yakushimensis

Sacculatal and isosacculatal, two diterpene dialdehydes, have been isolated from the liverwort Riccardia lobata var. yakushimensis as the major components. Orizia latipes ( killie fish) is killed within 2 hr by a 0.4 ppm solution of sacculatal. It is suggested that R. lobata var. yakushimensis and Pellia endiviifolia might have originated from a common ancestor since the latter produces the same sacculatals as the former species.     

Riunione Generale Straordinaria in Val D'aosta

Abstract

The present study focused on the bryoflora of watercourses of the Tiber River basin watercourses (Central Italy). A total of 20 bryophyte species, which included 14 mosses and 6 liverworts, were collected at 32 river stations. Most species were recorded at stations of the watercourses' upper sections, which have rocky substrate and where there is cool and well oxygenated running water, with low trophic load. Only few species, such as Leptodictyum riparium, Cinclidotus fontinaloides and Riccia fluitans, were also found at stations of the middle and lower sections, which are characterized by slow-flowing, turbid, warm and eutrophic waters. Some species are widely distributed, among which Fontinalis antipyretica ssp. antipyretica and Platyhypnidium riparioides, while others are very rare, such as Cinclidotus aquaticus, Dialytrichia mucronata and R. fluitans. Some of the collected species are new regional records (Hygroamblystegium fluviatile, D. mucronata), regional confirmations of rare taxa in Italy (C.aquaticus) or confirmations of old regional reports (Hygroamblystegium tenax, C. fontinaloides, Aneura pinguis).     

西藏东部高寒草甸苔藓植物群落数量分类与排序

为探讨高寒草甸苔藓植物群落分布格局及其与环境因子之间的关系,按网格法在西藏东部的林芝市和昌都市设置了28个高寒草甸样地,采用双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)、除趋势对应分析(DCA)和典范对应分析(CCA)的方法对群落进行数量分类和排序。结果显示,共记录有苔藓植物19科30属60种,均为藓类植物;其中,丛藓科和真藓科的物种数占总种数的55%。群落优势种为北地对齿藓(Didymodon fallax)、垂枝藓(Rhytidium rugosum)、山羽藓(Abietinella abietina)、厚角绢藓(Entodon concinnus)、尖叶对齿藓芒尖变种(Didymodon constrictus var.flexicuspis)和短叶对齿藓(Didymodon tectorus)。根据TWINSPAN分析结果可将西藏东部高寒草甸苔藓植物群落划分为9个群丛,分别为沙氏真藓(Bryum sauteri)群丛、细枝羽藓(Thuidium delicatulum)+狭网真藓(Bryum algovicum)+羽枝青藓(Brachythecium plumosum)群丛、尖叶对齿藓芒...     

Re-evaluation of Hymenostylium xanthocarpum (Hook.) Brid., and Ardeuma R.H.Zander & Hedd., a new name for all other species of Hymenostylium (Pottiaceae,Bryophyta)

The Old World Hymenostylium xanthocarpum, the generitype of Hymenostylium, was found to be unrelated to the widespread H. recurvirostrum and other species currently placed in the genus. Major distinguishing traits of H. xanthocarpum are the presence of a stem central strand, leaves broadest about midleaf and constricted just above the base, distal laminal cells usually ventrally bulging and massively unipapillose, and basal cells differentiated only in the lower 1/5–1/7 of the leaf. A new genus name, Ardeuma, is proposed for the remaining species of Hymenostylium, and combinations are made for those that are commonly recognized. A key to Tuerckheimia species in the New World that may be confused with H. xanthocarpum is provided.     

Chromosomal distribution of rRNA genes in the karyotypes of two dioicous liverwort species from the genus Pellia Raddi

Over one hundred years have passed since the first cytogenetic studies were made on the liverwort genus Pellia Raddi. The karyotype of Pellia is characterised by large chromosomes, a varying heterochromatin content and the presence of sex chromosomes in the dioicous species. Most of the Pellia species are diploids with n?=?9, but one of them, Pellia borealis Lorb., has been described as an example of allopolyploidy in liverworts. Although the localisation of rRNA genes, which are essential components of the nuclear genome, remains a challenge in bryophytes, data on the number and chromosomal localisation of 35S and 5S rDNA in all of the Pellia species are now available. Previously, fluorescence in situ hybridisation using rDNA probes was performed on the mitotic chromosomes of 2 monoicous species. The aim of this study was to establish the number and chromosomal distribution of rRNA genes in 2 dioicous diploid species—Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Dumort. and Pellia neesiana (Gottsche) Limpr. The relationships between the species within the genus Pellia can now be discussed in the context of the localisation of the rDNA sites and the range in the number of rDNA loci among bryophytes can also be verified.     

Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P.Frahm,a new name for Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn.

Abstract

Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn. differs from var. convoluta not only by characters such as larger size, darker colour and undulate leaf margins, as mentioned in the literature, but, in addition, by a different transverse section of the stem, different basal laminal cells, different papillae on the leaf surface, a different spore ornamentation and different isozyme systems. It should therefore be regarded as a separate species. In this case, the legitimate name would be Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P. Frahm, since Barbula convoluta var. sardoa Schimp. is revealed to be an earlier synonym of var. commutata.     

Diverging diversity patterns in the Tulasnella (Basidiomycota, Tulasnellales) mycobionts of Aneura pinguis (Marchantiophyta, Metzgeriales) from Europe and Ecuador

Aneura pinguis (Aneuraceae) is a cosmopolitan thalloid liverwort that shows a specific mycorrhiza-like interaction with basidiomycetes. To date, tropical specimens have not been studied in great depth. Samples of A. pinguis were collected from 48 individuals in one plot in South Ecuador and 54 individuals in five European countries. Light and transmission electron microscopy and molecular analyses based on nuclear rDNA coding for the ribosomal large subunit (nucLSU) and from the 5.8s-ITS2 regions were carried out to identify the associated mycobionts and to study their phylogenetic relationships. Microscopic and ultrastructural investigations of the fungal colonisation showed a high congruence between the European and the Ecuadorian sites and confirmed previous results. Tulasnellales are the only mycobionts that could be detected from ultrastructural characters with certainty. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of tulasnelloid fungi from at least 13 distinct clades. The composition of the communities of tulasnelloid fungi in A. pinguis differs between Ecuador and Europe. The diversity of tulasnelloid fungal partners was much higher at the Ecuadorian site.     

Changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation and xanthophyll cycle interconversions during dehydration in desiccation-tolerant and intolerant liverworts

The interactions among water content, chlorophyll a fluorescence emission, xanthophyll interconversions and net photosynthesis were analyzed during dehydration in desiccation-tolerant Frullania dilatata (L.) Dum. and desiccation-intolerant Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks) Dum. Water loss led to a progressive suppression of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in both species. Their chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at low water content were: low photosynthetic quantum conversion efficiency, high excitation pressure on photosystem II and strong non-photochemical quenching. However, dissipation activity was lower in P. endiviifolia and was not accompanied by a rise in the concentration of de-epoxidised xanthophylls as F. dilatata. The photosynthetic apparatus of F. dilatata remained fully and speedily recuperable after desiccation in as indicated by the restoration of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters to pre-desiccation values upon rehydration. A lack of recovery upon remoistening of P. endiviifolia indicated permanent and irreversible damage to photosystem II. The results suggest that F. dilatata possesses a desiccation-induced zeaxanthin-mediated photoprotective mechanism which might aid photosynthesis recovery when favourable conditions are restored by alleviating photoinhibitory damage during desiccation. This avoidance mechanism might have evolved as an adaptative response to repeated cycles of desiccation and rehydration that represent a real threat to photosynthetic viability. Received: 12 January 1998 / Accepted: 14 July 1998     

Evolution and speciation in Pellia,with special reference to the Pellia megaspora-endiviifolia complex (Metzgeriales), I. Taxonomy and distribution

Abstract

The genus Pellia, with three currently recognised species, includes a relatively primitive taxon, P. endiviifolia, in which the perichaetium is high and incised, with an enclosed calyptra. It is dioecious, produces anthocyanin wall pigments in exposed sites, reproduces asexually by repeatedly furcate, narrow fragmenting ‘autumnal innovations’, is freely branched and has relatively small spores. A species previously confused with this taxon, and here described as P. megaspora, is an endemic boreal American species, found from New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts north to Newfoundland and west to Minnesota. The plant has a tall perichaetium that is strikingly incised-ciliate to lacerate. It is dioecious but does not produce wall pigments and autumnal innovations, is simple or oncefurcate and has extremely large spores. Cytological and biochemical data support the specific recognition of P. megaspora. Biochemical data also suggest that Japanese populations currently assigned to P. endiviifolia are distinct and field observation suggests that these plants may represent an autonomous subspecies.     

贵阳喀斯特城市墙壁苔藓植物物种多样性研究

为了解环境对墙壁苔藓植物的影响,采用典范对应分析方法对贵阳市照壁山墙壁苔藓植物的多样性特征及其环境影响因子进行了研究。结果表明,该区墙壁苔藓植物有9科17属45种,以凤尾藓科(Fissidentaceae)、丛藓科(Pottiaceae)、青藓科(Brachytheciaceae)、真藓科(Bryaceae)和羽藓科(Thuidiaceae)为优势科。不同生境苔藓植物的物种组成、优势种、常见种不同,墙壁上部和中部的苔藓植物优势种和常见种主要为矮丛集型,墙壁下部的优势种和常见种主要为交织型。CCA排序表明,温度和湿度是苔藓植物在墙壁上分布的主要影响因子。卷叶湿地藓(Hyophila involuta)、尖叶对齿藓(Didymodon constrictus)、长尖对齿藓(Didymodon ditrichoides)、小凤尾藓原变种(Fissidens bryoides var.bryoides)在墙壁上部、中部和下部都能很好生长。因此,在城市垂直绿化时可选择适宜的苔藓植物进行配置。     

Six mosses from the Tyrolean Iceman’s alimentary tract and their significance for his ethnobotany and the events of his last days

Six different mosses have been recognised in samples taken from the intestinal contents of the 5,200-year-old Iceman from the Eastern Alps. Four of the species are important in understanding the lifestyle of the man and/or bear on the events during the last few days of his life: Anomodon viticulosus, Hymenostylium recurvirostrum, Neckera complanata and Sphagnum imbricatum. The past and present chorology and habitats of the Hymenostylium are discussed in detail, as is the ethnobotany of the Sphagnum concerning both the Iceman and Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchí, the first ancient glacier body from North America.     

Elemental composition of the sub-aquatic liverwort Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Dum. in relation to heavy metal contamination

The concentrations of fifteen elements (B, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Pb) in thalli of the sub-aquatic liverwort Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Dum. collected from seven sites in Japan, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP). The average concentration of major essential elements in the thalli was: 49 600 µg g^–1 K, 9 140 µg g^–1 Na, 6740 µg g^–1 Ca, 3 840 µg g^–1 P, and 3 060 µg g^–1 Mg. Thalli of P. endiviifolia from sites polluted by heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb) contained high concentrations of these elements (maxima 0.88% Cu, 0.55% Zn and 0.36% Pb in the older thallus), thus demonstrating the potentiality of this liverwort as an indicator for heavy metal contamination.     

Cytological diversity in Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Dum

Abstract

Extensive cytological variation between British populations of Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Dum. (n = 8+x/y) permits the recognition of six distinct karyotypes; one of them found also in Greece and another in the U.S.S.R. Although based on typically small amounts of constitutive heterochromatin, Giemsa C-banding patterns serve to identify each of three chromosomes, 1, 6 and 9, as dimorphic or polymorphic. Relative proportions of chromosomes differ between karyotypes and further variation relates toa nucleolar organiser region (NOR) on chromosome 6 of one population in addition to the NOR generally located in chromosome 7. These findings have repercussions intaxonomy and reproductive behaviour that are discussed in detail.     

Distribution maps

Abstract

There are two groups of Pellia peroxidase isozyme phenotypes, one composed of P. epiphylla, P. neesiana and P. borealis, the other of P. endiviifolia from Europe, P. endiviifolia from Japan and P. megaspora. The phenotypes within the second group differ supporting the suggestion that there are three taxa present.