毛叶粉背蕨配子体的泌粉现象及其系统学意义

为探讨蕨类配子体泌粉现象的系统学意义,对5种粉背蕨属(Aleuritopteris)植物的配子体发育过程进行了观察。结果表明,毛叶粉背蕨(A.squamosa)的配子体(通常是雌配子体)也具有泌粉现象,而其他4种的配子体不具粉状分泌物。基于叶绿体rbc L序列的证据表明,毛叶粉背蕨与粉背蕨属其他植物、中国蕨属(Sinopteris)等构成一个具有强烈支持率的单系,即Hemionitids支,该支与美洲分布的隐囊蕨类互为姐妹群。因此,配子体泌粉现象在碎米蕨类中并非隐囊蕨类植物所特有,泌粉现象的产生,在系统发育上至少涉及2次独立的演化事件。毛叶粉背蕨的泌粉现象多发生在雌性配子体上,暗示配子体的泌粉可能与配子体的雌性分化和胚发生发育相关。     

蕨类植物的化感作用及其对生物多样性的影响

植物化感作用是植物通过向环境中释放化学物质从而对同种植株和繁殖体或与其他植物之间产生的直接或间接、有益或有害的作用,它影响植物分布、群落形成与演化、作物间作等,与生物多样性保护以及农林和园艺生产实践关系密切,在国际上受到越来越多的关注。但国内这方面的研究起步相对较晚,研究范围有限,对蕨类植物化感作用的报道更少。本文系统介绍了蕨类植物化感作用的研究进展,包括蕨类植物种内的化感作用(即自毒效应)、常见的蕨类植物种间的化感作用(即孢子体对配子体的化感作用和配子体对配子体的化感作用)及蕨类植物对种子植物的化感作用(蕨类植物可通过化感作用与种子植物争夺更多的资源和生长空间)。还介绍了种子植物对蕨类植物的化感作用(主要表现为抑制作用)以及蕨类植物化感作用与动物侵食、微生物侵染的关系,研究发现昆虫侵食能增强或减弱蕨类植物的化感作用,微生物的活动可能增强某些蕨类植物的化感作用。本文从上述不同角度说明蕨类植物化感作用对生物多样性的影响,希望有助于促进我国学者对该领域的深入研究。     

4种蕨类植物的孢子繁殖研究

蕨类植物的资源开发越来越受到重视,但目前的孢子繁殖技术还不够成熟,已成为其市场扩大的制约因素。本研究对4种有代表性的资源型蕨类植物乌毛蕨(Blechnum orientale)、荚果蕨(Matteuccia struthiopteris)、假鞭叶铁线蕨(Adiantum malesianum)和水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)进行了孢子繁殖研究,详细观察并记录了繁殖过程中配子体发育各阶段出现的特征和时间。其中以水蕨的发育周期最短,从播种到形成幼孢子体约33天;假鞭叶铁线蕨发育周期最长,约73天;乌毛蕨和荚果蕨的发育周期介于二者之间。结合过去已发表的相关观察资料,对4种蕨类的孢子萌发、原叶体、性器官以及幼孢子体形成等四个生长关键点所出现时间的培养条件进行了分析,结果表明:(1)光照时间越长,孢子萌发天数越短;(2)光照强度越大,原叶体发育天数越长;(3)配子体发育速率在20~25℃范围内与温度无显著相关性。本研究可为进一步探究蕨类植物适宜的繁殖技术体系和开发蕨类资源提供指导。     

蕨类植物性别分化对环境的响应

蕨类植物是维管植物中唯一的孢子体和配子体都能独立生活的类群.同型孢子蕨类配子体的性别分化受到激素和环境因子的影响.生理学研究表明,成精子囊素与赤霉素能诱导雄配子体发育,抑制雌配子体发育;脱落酸阻止成精子囊素诱导的精子器形成;乙烯合成前体ACC促进赤霉素诱导的精子器形成,而乙烯合成抑制因子AOA通过抑制细胞分化来抑制精子器形成.光照对不同种类蕨类配子体分化的影响存在差异.糖类能够促进雄配子体形成,并可加速成熟雌配子体向两性分化.钙离子、钴离子和甲硫氨酸等分别参与了蓝光和赤霉素对配子体性别分化的调控过程.培养密度影响配子体生长及性别表达,高密度下雄性和无性配子体居多,而低密度下两性和雌性配子体居多.近年来的突变体表型分析与分子生物学研究表明,成精子囊素通过影响ANI1、HER、TRA、FEM和MAN等基因的表达调控配子体性别分化.综述了蕨类植物性别分化对环境响应的研究进展.     

液体培养基条件下乌毛蕨配子体发育的研究

在液体培养基条件下对中国产乌毛蕨(Blechnum orientaleL.)配子体发育进行了观察。结果表明:乌毛蕨的孢子为两面体型,两侧对称,极面观为椭圆形,赤道面观为半圆形或豆形,周壁具脊状褶皱;孢子萌发为书带蕨型;原叶体发育为三叉蕨型,成熟原叶体为对称的心脏形。经比较分析,蕨类植物孢子繁殖时采用混合土培养较适宜;液体培养基和混合土在研究蕨类植物配子体发育时同样具有可行性。孢子形态和配子体发育的观察结果表明,乌毛蕨是蕨类植物中较进化的种类;乌毛蕨科与鳞毛蕨科亲缘关系较近。     

假瘤蕨属植物配子体与幼孢子体发育的比较形态学研究

配子体及幼孢子体发育过程对蕨类植物的系统学研究具有重要意义,但在假瘤蕨属植物中较少报道.本研究比较了3种假瘤蕨属植物的配子体及幼孢子体发育过程:孢子均为单裂缝,萌发类型为书带蕨型.原叶体发育为槲蕨型.丝状体2～6细胞,成熟配子体心形,中肋明显加厚.配子体两性,在播种后48 ～ 55 d产生精子器,之后15 ～ 18 d产生颈卵器.播种后80 ～ 100 d,形成胚胎,后者分化出第一叶、第一根和茎端,发育为幼孢子体.配子体边缘分布有单细胞毛状体,配子体腹面分布有单列多细胞的毛状体,以中肋处最多,围绕并保护胚胎和幼孢子体.本属3个种的配子体和幼孢子体,在孢子体积、萌发时间、丝状体和成熟配子体特征以及性器产生时间等方面存在差异.土培条件下的配子体发育不同步,即配子体分批发育,原因为配子体的营养繁殖或孢子萌发不整齐.     

药用植物乌蕨配子体发育的观察

药用植物乌蕨(Stenoloma chusanum(L.)Ching)配子体发育周期短而迅速,是一种研究蕨类配子体世代的生理生态和分子生物学等特征的理想试验材料.本文采用原生境腐殖土培养方法对乌蕨的孢子进行人工培养,观察并记录其孢子萌发和配子体发育的过程.结果表明:乌蕨孢子呈黄色,单裂缝,二面体形;孢子萌发为书带蕨型(Vittaria-type).丝状体4～6个细胞,有时具二叉分枝.片状体为长楔形,达6～8个细胞宽.成熟的原叶体为对称心形,裸露,发育为槲蕨型(Drynaria-type),并且具备一定的营养繁殖能力.原叶体上的假根为单细胞且不含叶绿体.精子器为盖裂开放,颈卵器短而直立.利用孢子培养的方法对乌蕨种苗进行人工繁殖,将为保护性开发利用这一重要药用资源奠定基础.     

蕨类植物配子体发育的研究

研究了福建观音座莲、华南紫萁、粗齿紫萁、粗齿桫椤、溪边凤尾蕨、娱蚣草、狭翅铁角蕨、乌毛蕨等21种庆类植物的配子体发育过程。结果如下：(1)对孢子和配子体性状的UPG—MA法聚类分析结果表明,秦仁昌分类系统中亲缘关系近的种类在孢子和配子体性状方面相似性也高,但也有少数例外的情况;(2)蕨类植物的配子体发育有许多共性,但也存在许多不同点;(3)配子体发育中出现的某些性状是稳定的,可以作为分类的依据。     

多壁碳纳米管对水蕨配子体发育及孢子体产生的影响

探究多壁碳纳米管在水蕨配子体发育及孢子体产生中的作用，以期为濒危蕨类植物的保护和繁育奠定基础。以蕨类模式植物水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)为供试材料，设置0(对照)、0.5、1.0、2.5、5.0 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管5个处理组，采用光学显微镜观察不同质量浓度多壁碳纳米管对水蕨配子体发育及孢子体产生的影响。结果显示：与对照组相比，0.5～2.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管处理可使水蕨孢子萌发提前约15 d，其中，0.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管对水蕨孢子萌发的促进效果最好，0.5～1.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管对丝状体和片状体产生的促进效果最好，2.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管对原叶体和孢子体产生的促进效果最好。高质量浓度(5.0 mg·L^-1)多壁碳纳米管处理会导致部分配子体出现畸形，精子器退化，细胞中叶绿体出现失绿现象，部分发育出的孢子体上的细胞也出现叶绿体失绿等衰退现象。此外，多壁碳纳米管的加入促进了水蕨雄配子体的产...     

重金属铅对3种蕨类植物孢子萌发和配子体发育的影响

研究了重金属铅对水蕨、中华桫椤和扇蕨孢子萌发及其对水蕨配子体发育的影响。结果表明：随着铅浓度的增加,水蕨、中华桫椤和扇蕨孢子的萌发率逐渐降低;在低于10^-4 mol·L^-1的环境中,水蕨孢子可以正常萌发;在低于10^-5 mol·L^-1的环境中,中华桫椤和扇蕨孢子能正常萌发;水蕨、中华桫椤和扇蕨的孢子都对铅具有一定的耐受性;铅对水蕨配子体的发育存在一定影响,铅使水蕨配子体呈不规则的心脏形,多发育为雄配子体;精子器凹陷入原叶体边缘;配子体细胞中叶绿体分布不均匀。本研究为铅污染土壤的植物修复筛选后备植物。     

Gametophyte contribution to sporophyte growth on the basis of carbon gain in the fern <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thelypteris palustris</Emphasis>: effect of gametophyte organic-matter production on sporophytes

At an early stage of growth gametophytes support the sporophytes of ferns. Young sporophytes become independent of gametophytes when the first leaves develop. Although large fern gametophytes produce multiple archegonia simultaneously, only one sporophyte is typically established on one gametophyte. The number of sporophytes is believed to be controlled in two possible directions, from gametophyte to sporophyte or from preceding sporophyte to another sporophyte. To investigate the effects of gametophytes on their sporophytes, we studied the relationship between organic matter production by gametophytes and the growth of young sporophytes of Thelypteris palustris. We cut gametophytes in half (CGs) to reduce the gametophytes’ production of matter. There was no significant difference between the growth of sporophytes on intact gametophytes (IGs) and that on CGs. According to our estimates, based on the rate of organic matter production, the large gametophyte was able to produce two or more sporophytes. The resources required for CGs to make similar-sized sporophytes was twice that for IGs. In polyembryony each of the multiple sporophytes was similar in size to the single sporophytes. Resource limitation does not seem to explain why fern gametophytes establish single sporophytes.     

Hybridization involving independent gametophytes in the Vandenboschia radicans complex (Hymenophyllaceae): a new perspective on the distribution of fern hybrids

To test our hypothesis of hybrid formation involving the ‘independent gametophyte’ phenomenon in ferns, we identified the genomic formulae and ploidy level of gametophytes of the Vandenboschia radicans complex at the periphery of a sporophyte population. We identified haploid gametophytes of V. kalamocarpa (one of the two putative parents of V.×stenosiphon) in a hybrid sporophyte population in Japan that lacks fertile non‐hybrid individuals. Furthermore, diploid sporophytes of the species were not found within a 50‐km radius. This finding supports a hypothesis of hybridization involving the ‘independent gametophyte’ phenomenon and provides a new perspective on the geographical distribution of fern hybrids.     

Practical methodology for gametophyte proliferation and sporophyte production in green penny fern (Lemmaphyllum microphyllum C. Presl) using mechanical fragmentation

Propagation of gametophytes and sporophytes using mechanical fragmentation has been considered a suitable method for mass production of ferns. This study aimed to develop a practical propagation method for Lemmaphyllum microphyllum C. Presl, which is a fern of significant ornamental and medicinal value. Gametophytes were obtained through in vitro spore germination and used for propagation experiments. The gametophyte was mechanically fragmented using a scalpel into small fragments, which were then used to investigate gametophyte proliferation. In addition, the gametophyte was fragmented using a blender and then used to study sporophyte formation. Optimal proliferation conditions of the gametophyte were determined using Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium (double-, full-, half-, quarter-strength), Knop medium, and medium components (sucrose, nitrogen sources, activated charcoal), at various concentrations. The fresh weight of the gametophyte was 14-fold higher than that of gametophytes (300 mg) used as culture material, when cultured on double-strength MS. Moreover, 1 g of the gametophyte fragmented in 25 mL of distilled water formed more than 430 sporophytes in a soil mixture in an area of 7.5 cm². The sporophytes were successfully cultivated in the greenhouse after acclimation. A large-scale production method for L. microphyllum that can be easily implemented in a fern production farm is outlined.

     

GAMETOPHYTE ONTOGENY,SEX EXPRESSION,AND GENETIC LOAD AS MEASURES OF POPULATION DIVERGENCE IN BLECHNUM SPICANT

Early gametophyte ontogeny was quantitatively distinct for Olympic Peninsula, Alaskan, and disjunct Idaho populations of the homosporous fern Blechnum spicant (L.) J. Sm. Although variable, gametophyte sex expression was shown to have a genetic component. Statistically different patterns of sex expression characterize each population. The Olympic Peninsula populations were distinct from each other but consistent in having a predominantly unisexual pattern. The disjunct Idaho population was predominantly bisexual at the time when comparable field collected gametophytes bear sporophytes. Preliminary experiments suggest that an antheridogen operates in this species. Increased sowing density favors maleness, and an extract from soil cultures of gametophytes shifts cultures to an exclusively male pattern after a dramatic suppression of growth. Mating experiments revealed that all populations are interfertile, although fertility was highest when the test Idaho population underwent intergametophytic-selfing. The Idaho population evidenced a low level of genetic load consistent with predictions based on its sex expression. Although Olympic Peninsula populations evidenced apparent high genetic load in some experiments, failure to produce abundant sporophytes in other experiments suggested that additional cultural factors operated to reduce sporophyte formation. Moderate density mating experiments produced single sporophytes that were comparable to field collections. Isolated gametophytes underwent polyembryony after a time delay and gametophyte proliferation. Cultural conditions which allow sporophyte formation on isolated gametophytes without this delay or proliferation must be sought before further genetic analysis is undertaken.     

Allelopathic compounds,thelypterin A and B in the fern Thelypteris normalis

Summary The growth of Thelypteris normalis (C. Chr.) Moxley gametophytes is inhibited under T. normalis sporophytes. Competition for minerals, light, change in pH, or microbial inhibitors were experimentally eliminated as causes of the inhibition. This is the first demonstration of allelopathy between a sporophyte and gametophyte in a fern. Two inhibitors, thelypterin A and B, which were released from the roots of the Thelypteris sporophyte, were isolated and a bioassay for the inhibitors was devised. Thelypterin A gave an Ehrlich-positive reaction indicative of secondary aromatic amines and an ultraviolet absorption spectrum indicative of a heterocyclic ring. The inhibitors affected the growth of Thelypteris, Pteris and Phlebodium gametophytes.     

Generating Autotetraploid Sporophytes and Their Use in Analyzing Mutations Affecting Gametophyte Development in the Fern Ceratopteris

The haploid gametophytes of the fern Ceratopteris richardii are autotrophic and develop independently of the diploid sporophyte plant. While haploid genetics is useful for screening and characterizing mutations affecting gametophyte development in Ceratopteris, it is difficult to assess whether a gametophytic mutation is dominant or recessive or to determine allelism by complementation analysis in a haploid organism. This report describes how apospory can be used to produce genetically marked polyploid sporophytes whose gametophyte progeny are heterozygous for mutations affecting sex determination in the gametophyte and a known recessive mutation affecting the phenotype of both the gametophyte and sporophyte. The segregation ratios of wild-type to mutant phenotypes in the gametophyte progeny of polyploid sporophyte plants indicate that all of the mutations examined are recessive. The presence of many multivalents and few univalents in meiotic chromosome preparations of spore mother cells confirm that the sporophyte plants assayed are polyploid. The DNA content of the sperm of their progeny gametophytes was also found to be approximately twice that of sperm from wild-type haploid gametophytes.     

PROBLEMS IN THE IDENTITY AND ORIGIN OF THE APPALACHIAN VITTARIA GAMETOPHYTE,A SPOROPHYTELESS FERN OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

Populations of a fern gametophyte presumed to be of the genus Vittaria occur commonly in the uplands of the southeastern United States. The gametophytes occur on non-calcareous rock outcrops of various composition in areas which provide continuous moisture and protection from temperature extremes. Gametophytes in these habitats are robust and long lived, frequently forming the dominant vegetation in areas covering several square feet. Reproduction is exclusively vegetative by production of gemmae. Although sex organs are present in most populations, viable sporophytes are never produced. The gametophytes have previously been considered most likely to be V. lineata, which occurs in Florida, but morphological and physiological comparisons do not support that conclusion. Significant differences between Appalachian and Florida gametophytes occur in growth form, growth rate, cold hardiness, sporophyte production, and patterns of gemma production. The distribution of the Appalachian gametophytes correlates with old, unglaciated land masses suggesting antiquity rather than recent introduction. Present evidence favors the interpretation that the Appalachian Vittaria gametophytes either belong to a tropical American species from which they have long been separated, or that they represent a distinct species of which the sporophyte no longer exists.     

trnL-F is a powerful marker for DNA identification of field vittarioid gametophytes (Pteridaceae)

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.     

Study of the independent gametophytes found on Jeju Island in South Korea and the first record of the obligate independent gametophyte of Antrophyum obovatum Baker

Fern gametophytes have often been neglected in research; however, studies on gametophytes are crucial for a better understanding of the evolution of ferns. During their life cycle, some gametophytes produce large and long‐lived populations without producing sporophytes and reproduce independently through asexual means, such as through the formation of gemmae. In this study, we investigated independent gametophytes on the Jeju Island of Korea, which was located on the land bridge between East China and Japan during the glacial periods. Fourteen gametophyte populations were collected from seven sites, of which 13 populations were clearly identified as belonging to four fern species known to occur in Jeju Island with BLAST searches using rbcL and trnL‐F sequences. Surprisingly, the last remaining population constituted undescribed taxa in Korea. We presented the first report of the independent gametophytes of Antrophyum obovatum Baker which has not been previously recorded in Korea. It has been supposed that many ferns sought suitable habitat throughout the land bridge between China and Japan. However, Jeju Island might be unsuitable for vittarioid ferns that prefer a tropical or subtropical environment. Consequently, only two species of vittariod ferns (A. obovatum and Haplopteris flexuosa (Fée) E.H. Crane) in the form of a gametophyte and sporophyte, respectively, exist on Jeju Island. Therefore, this gametophyte population must be protected and managed from a conservation perspective. In the case of the independent gametophyte of Hymenophyllum wrightii Bosch, haplotype analysis was conducted based on the rbcL sequences and the result supported that the North American populations were migrated from Japan through land bridge during the glacial periods and Jeju populations were recently established by long‐distance dispersal of the Japanese populations.     

Gametophyte development and reproduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Argyrochosma nivea</Emphasis> (Pteridaceae)

The gametophyte of Argyroschosma nivea was studied, mainly focusing in its morphological development, and in the apogamous production of sporophytes. Some observations on the spores were also made. As far as it is known, this is the second species of the genus whose gametophytes are studied. The germination pattern followed the Vittaria type. The subsequent developmental processes followed the Ceratopteris type. Some of the gametophytes reached an adult stage with a cordate, symmetric shape, but most of them developed as irregular, lobed prothalli. The sporophyte emerged from the anterior part of the prothallus, without formation of gametangia. First, a cell became active and originated a proliferating area of small cells. From this area, long glandular hairs were formed followed by a projected conical cluster of cells. The cluster elongated into a sporophytic structure and its apex became progressively spatulate and finally trilobulate, with marginal, glandular hairs, stomata and tracheids continuously produced. This sporophyte secreted granules of white farina from its beginnings. The production of farina in the sporophyte but not in the gametophyte could help to support the idea of the segregation of this species from its traditional location in Notholaena to Argyrochosma, as farinose gametophytes seem to be a synapomorphy of the notholenoids, group that includes Notholaena but not Argyroschoma.