XYLEM ANATOMY AND HYDRAULIC CONDUCTANCE OF COSTA RICAN BLECHNUM FERNS

Hydraulic conductivities of stems, stipes, and elongate leaf stipes were determined for greenhouse-grown Blechnum (B. fraxineum, B. fragile, B. buchtienii, B. sprucei) and Salpichlaena (S. volubilis) plants collected in tropical rain forests of Costa Rica. Organ conductivity was examined in relation to morphology and tracheid characteristics in order to gain an understanding of factors influencing water flow. Hydraulic conductivity of plant organs was determined by measurement of transpiration rates, leaf areas, and water potential gradients. Erect stemmed species develop larger whole plant water potential gradients than elongate stemmed species for a similar transpiration rate. Elongate leaves develop even smaller water potential gradients for a given transpiration rate. Stems have larger hydraulic conductivities but smaller leaf-specific conductivities (LSCs) than stipes. Small conductivities and small LSCs are associated with short, erect stems. Elongate structures have large conductivities and large LSCs. Of the tracheid characteristics examined, the most important characteristics determining the magnitude of organ hydraulic conductivity are diameter, pit aperture area between tracheids, taper length, and cell length. Large conductivities of S. volubilis climbing leaf stipes are associated with very large-diameter tracheids (some > 200 μm), large tracheid number, exceptionally long tracheids (some > 4 cm), large pit aperture area between tracheids, short tracheid taper, and smooth tracheid lumen walls. Hagen-Poiseuille estimates of hydraulic conductivity range from 1.1 to 3.3 times the measured values. Conductivity of stipes is highly correlated with leaf area supplied by stipes. Conductivities of stems and elongate leaf stipes also correlate with leaf area supplied by these structures. Estimated hydraulic conductivities of field-grown Blechnum and Salpichlaena demonstrate that larger conductivities are associated with larger plants. This study contributes toward our knowledge of fern water relations and extends previous growth form/hydraulic architecture characterizations by providing a more comprehensive comparison of closely related species. In addition, this study provides evidence for the relative importance of tracheid characteristics in determining the magnitude of organ hydraulic conductivity.     

STIPE ANATOMY,WATER POTENTIALS,AND XYLEM CONDUCTANCES IN SEVEN SPECIES OF FERNS (FILICOPSIDA)

Anatomy and water relations were studied for the desert fern Notholaena parryi, as well as six other ferns representing three different orders which occupied xeric as well as mesic habitats. Tracheid number and diameter, and total xylem cross sectional area increased during leaf development for N. parryi; the whole plant conductance (volume flow of water through a stipe divided by the rhizome-to-leaf water potential drop) increased but tended to level off as the leaves matured. The reported occurrences of very steep water potential gradients (about 25 MPa m^–1) in stipes of N. parryi were confirmed. The ferns with the highest whole plant conductances (Alsophila australis, Botrychium dissectum, and Adiantum capillus-veneris) had the largest or greatest number of tracheids. Numerous tracheids in Botrychium dissectum offset a low tracheary conductivity, whereas Marsilea vestita had few tracheids resulting in a low whole plant conductance. Whole plant conductances for the ferns were 2 to 3 orders of magnitude less than those generally observed for angiosperms and 6 orders less than for gymnosperms. However, the relative conductivity (whole plant conductance times stipe xylem length divided by xylem area) was only 5- to 10-fold less than for angiosperms and about the same as for the gymnosperms. Stipe water relations in these ferns are discussed in relation to the evolution of xylem anatomy.     

A Method for Determining Tracheid Lengths in Petrified Wood by Analysis of Cross Sections

A method is presented for estimating the length of tracheidsin fossilized secondary xylem by analysis of intersected cellsin cross sections. A two-dimensional model depicting cell positionin wood is used to derive an equation which relates the totaltracheid length to the length of the tracheid apex and the ratiobetween the number of intersected tracheid shafts and apicesobserved in cross section. Use of the technique is demonstratedin an investigation of the wood of Sphenophyllum plurifoliatum,an anatomically preserved Carboniferous arthrophyte with extremelylong tracheids. The values obtained in the analysis correspondclosely to lengths determined by indirect measurement. An examinationof the assumptions on which the method is based reveals thatthe accuracy of the cell length estimates will vary accordingto the shape of area being analysed and intrinsic structuralfeatures of the wood. Sphenophyllum plurifoliatum, Carboniferous, plant fossil     

蕨类植物花青素和原花青素成分及含量分析

以7目14科共44种蕨类植物为材料,对它们的花青素、原花青素和总黄酮含量进行检测。结果显示,44种蕨类植物均含有花青素,较为进化的水龙骨目植物的总花青素平均含量明显高于其它蕨类植物。矢车菊素、飞燕草素和天竺葵素是蕨类植物主要的花青素类型,其中乌毛蕨科植物富含矢车菊素,鳞毛蕨科植物富含飞燕草素。本研究中大部分蕨类含有原花青素,水龙骨目植物的原花青素平均含量高于其它蕨类。研究结果表明,蕨类植物中花青素和原花青素等黄酮类化合物的分布与植物科属相关,推测花青素与蕨类植物的生长发育和抗逆过程相关。     

水青树特殊管胞的分布位置及其形态特征的研究

针对水青树（Tetracentron sinense）中一类特殊管胞进行较为全面的观察研究,判断细胞种类并分析维管组织输导机理及树木进化过程中的细胞演化规律。通过切片和解离技术,借助光学显微镜和电子显微镜对34年生水青树特殊管胞的分布位置和形态特征进行观察。结果表明：(1)特殊管胞在树木水平方向自内向外径向呈串排列,并贯穿年轮界限,多为一列,少数两列,且较为稀见。每个特殊管胞弦向左右两侧或单侧均与木射线细胞相连通。纵向上,特殊管胞单独或数个上下端接相连。(2)特殊管胞主要有以下3种类型：无端壁的纺锤形,有一个倾斜端壁,以及有两个倾斜端壁。特殊管胞的平均长度为286.44μm;横切面为四边形,平均弦向宽度为55.22μm,其平均壁厚为1.53μm。(3)特殊管胞两端封闭,无穿孔。(4)特殊管胞侧面壁上的纹孔数量较多且纹孔膜明显可见,具体表现为：弦面壁上布满特殊管胞之间的具缘纹孔,呈对列、互列偶见梯状排列;径面壁上存在与射线细胞间的具狭缘单纹孔,呈大圆形至椭圆形,每区域多为2～10个纹孔,呈1～4排横列;径面壁上与正常管胞间几无纹孔。水青树特殊管胞分布有一定规律,其长度远小于水青树正常管胞...     

Analysis of circular bordered pit function II. Gymnosperm tracheids with torus-margo pit membranes

A model of xylem conduit function was applied to gymnosperm tracheids with torus-margo pit membranes for comparison with angiosperm vessels. Tracheids from 17 gymnosperm tree species with circular bordered pits and air-seed pressures from 0.8 to 11.8 MPa were analyzed. Tracheids were more reinforced against implosion than vessels, consistent with their double function in transport and support. Tracheid pits were 3.3 to 44 times higher in hydraulic conductivity than vessel pits because of greater membrane conductivity of the torus-margo configuration. Tight scaling between torus and pit size maximized pit conductivity. Higher pit conductivity allowed tracheids to be 1.7-3.4 times shorter than vessels and still achieve 95% of their lumen-limited maximum conductivity. Predicted tracheid lengths were consistent with measured lengths. The torus-margo structure is important for maximizing the conductivity of the inherently length-limited tracheid: replacing the torus-margo membrane with a vessel membrane caused stem tracheid conductivity to drop by 41%. Tracheids were no less hydraulically efficient than vessels if they were long enough to reach their lumen-limiting conductivity. However, this may only be possible for lumen diameters below approximately 60-70 μm.     

XYLEM ANATOMY,WATER FLOW,AND HYDRAULIC CONDUCTANCE IN THE FERN CYRTOMIUM FALCATUM

Xylem anatomy and water relations were studied in holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum, Aspidiaceae) to determine the details of the pathway for water flow through an entire plant and the influence of tracheid number and lumen diameter on water flow. Each leaf has two adaxial traces and an abaxial trace, which are supplied by diarch adventitious roots attached to the dictyostele of the rhizome near the leaf base. Anatomical observations and dye experiments showed that each adaxial bundle vascularizes the approximately seven pinnae on its side of a leaf. An abaxial bundle is intermittently connected to an adaxial bundle as well as other abaxial bundles, forming a minor vascular pathway between the bundles of the leaf axis. Changes in both number and diameter of tracheids result in an acropetal decrease in hydraulic conductance per unit length along the rachis, although tracheid number locally increases when the trace for a pinna is produced in an adaxial bundle. Water flow was determined from the transpiration distal to the point in question or by forcing a solution through an axis with applied pressure. The water potential gradient along the plant axis was quite constant, indicating that hydraulic conductance per unit length varied with leaf area to be supplied. About 40% of the overall water potential drop occurred from the rachis into the pinnae, which reflected factors controlling water potential gradients in the lamina and not a very low conductance in the petiolule xylem. Hydraulic conductances calculated using the Hagen-Poiseuille equation and tracheid diameters were generally double those of measured conductances. Since the values tended to vary by a constant factor, tracheid number and diameter may largely control water flow in the xylem.     

Structure-function constraints of tracheid-based xylem: a comparison of conifers and ferns

The ferns comprise one of the most ancient tracheophytic plant lineages, and occupy habitats ranging from tundra to deserts and the equatorial tropics. Like their nearest relatives the conifers, modern ferns possess tracheid-based xylem but the structure-function relationships of fern xylem are poorly understood. Here, we sampled the fronds (megaphylls) of 16 species across the fern phylogeny, and examined the relationships among hydraulic transport, drought-induced cavitation resistance, the xylem anatomy of the stipe, and the gas-exchange response of the pinnae. For comparison, the results are presented alongside a similar suite of conifer data. Fern xylem is as resistant to cavitation as conifer xylem, but exhibits none of the hydraulic or structural trade-offs associated with resistance to cavitation. On a conduit diameter basis, fern xylem can exhibit greater hydraulic efficiency than conifer and angiosperm xylem. In ferns, wide and long tracheids compensate in part for the lack of secondary xylem and allow ferns to exhibit transport rates on a par with those of conifers. We suspect that it is the arrangement of the primary xylem, in addition to the intrinsic traits of the conduits themselves, that may help explain the broad range of cavitation resistance in ferns.     

Hydraulic properties of fern sporophytes: Consequences for ecological and evolutionary diversification

? Premise of the study: Ferns are an important component of both tropical and temperate forests; yet, our understanding of the water relations of their sporophyte generation is limited. Indeed, to date there has been no large scale survey that attempts to clarify how ferns fit into current ideas of plant water relations. This study examines several tropical ferns with the goal of understanding how these characters vary between species from various habitats and across life forms ? Methods: We measured stipe hydraulic conductivity, water potential, and vulnerability to cavitation along with photosynthetic variables and leaf allometry of 21 species from 14 genera to identify physiological trait assemblages across taxa. ? Key results: Epiphytic ferns have significantly lower hydraulic conductivity and a vascular system more resistant to cavitation (i.e., higher P(50) values). They reached lower mid-day water potentials and produced leaves with reduced stipe lengths and reduced laminar area relative to terrestrial species. Xylem specific hydraulic conductivity (K(S)) was correlated with the mean hydraulic diameter of tracheids in terrestrial species, but not in epiphytes. There was no evidence of safety-efficiency trade-offs in any group. ? Conclusions: When compared across life forms, our data shed light on physiological mechanisms that may have allowed for terrestrial ferns to move into the epiphytic habit. When compared across a diverse assemblage of terrestrial plants, we find that resistance to water flow in fern stipes is significantly higher than that recorded from the stems of seed plants.     

大小龄红松木质部解剖特征的年龄效应及其对气候变化的响应差异

树龄是影响树木生长的最重要因素之一。在气候变暖背景下,利用树干木质部解剖特征,分析不同树龄生长-气候关系,对准确评估树木对气候变化的响应和适应策略、预测气候变化下的森林动态至关重要。利用木材解剖学方法,比较了小兴安岭溪水地区针阔混交林内大、小龄红松(Pinus koraiensis)木质部解剖特征及其对气候变化的响应异同。结果表明:大龄红松主要管胞特征值随年龄增加而呈上升趋势,但小龄红松的变化趋势并不明显,两者均在1840-1890年和1980-2010年间出现剧烈的波动。大、小年龄红松部分管胞特征与气候因子的关系具有一致性,管胞数量和理论导水率分别与月最高温度负相关和正相关;总管胞面积(负相关)、理论导水率(正相关)、平均水力直径(正相关)与月最低温度的关系一致;理论导水率与月总降水正相关;管胞占比、平均管胞面积、理论导水率、平均水力直径均与平均相对湿度正相关,且大龄红松相关性更强。大、小年龄红松管胞特征与气候因子的关系的不一致表现在,大龄红松管胞占比、平均管胞面积、总管胞面积和平均水力直径与月最高温度正相关,而这些关系在小龄红松则表现为负相关。大龄红松管胞数量与7-9月最低温度正相关,而在小龄红松表现为显著负相关;大、小龄红松除理论导水率外其他管胞特征与降水关系基本相反,其中管胞数量的相关性更强;大龄红松与7月、9月、年总降水量显著正相关,而小龄红松与6月和年总降水显著负相关;与月平均相对湿度的相关关系大龄红松表现为正相关或不显著,而小龄红松呈负相关关系。温度是限制大、小龄红松管胞特征生长的主要气候因子,降水的影响相对较弱,平均相对湿度对大小龄红松的影响差异不大。近几十年,小兴安岭地区气候暖干化趋势逐渐增强,这种暖干化会造成大、小龄红松生长的响应差异。若气候持续变暖或加剧,小龄红松会出现严重生长衰退。     

Ecology of the Pteridophytes on the Southern Slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Part II: Habitat Selection

Abstract: Based on the evalutation of 957 vegetation plots on the southern slope of Mt. Kilimanjaro, habitat preferences for 140 species of pteridophytes were evaluated. Using the average percentage cover value, and taking into account the pteridophyte flora's composition, life form spectra and its spectra of seasonal growth pattern, eight vegetation formations were recognized. Ferns contributed less than 1 % of the vegetation cover of salt marshes, ruderal vegetation, grasslands and (sub-)alpine heathlands. In contrast, pteridophytes constituted the most important vascular plant group on rocks, where 64 species were found, forming about two-thirds of the vegetation cover. With respect to alpha and beta diversity and fern biomass, luxuriant montane forest was the main habitat for pteridophytes on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here 130 pteridophyte species (93 % of the whole pteridophyte flora of the study area), on average, contributed 16 % of the total vegetation cover. Epiphytic ferns, tree ferns and filmy ferns had their main distribution between 1900 and 2400 m, in a zone coinciding with the maximum rainfall on Mt. Kilimanjaro's southern slope.
Poikilohydrous species were typical of dry habitats, such as on rocks, in meadows or along roadsides, but they also occurred in the often sun-exposed epiphyte layer in moist montane forests. Deciduous species, which were in many cases fire resistant, had a similar distribution; however, inside the forest belt they were restricted to the lower and upper parts, where fires are a common phenomenon. Evergreen species were the dominant group in swamps, forests and forest clearings.
Compared to other volcanoes in East Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro is distinctly richer in fern species in general and in filmy ferns, tree ferns and epiphytic ferns in particular, suggesting that the forest belt of the southern slope of Mt. Kilimanjaro is wetter than those of other high mountains in East Africa.     

Ecological and phylogenetic approaches for diversification of apogamous ferns in Japan

It has long been argued that related asexual and sexual taxa have different distribution patterns. In general, apomictic angiosperms are believed to occur preferentially at higher latitudes and elevations compared to their sexual relatives. It is thus expected that the frequency of apomixis increases with latitude or from warmer to colder climatic regions. However, despite the significant role played by apogamy in fern evolution and diversification, the distribution pattern of apogamous ferns and lycophytes has received little attention. To clarify the ecological diversity pattern and evolutional diversification of apogamous ferns, we analysed a variety of apogamous fern species with reference to latitude, elevation and climatic factors, and reconstructed the ancestral state and estimated the divergence time of Japanese apogamous ferns. Our results on the distribution of apogamous ferns along these two gradients suggest a decline in the proportion of apogamous ferns towards high latitudes and elevations. Temperature was correlated with the proportion of apogamous ferns along both gradients, and the seasonality of precipitation was correlated with the proportion of apogamous ferns along latitude. Reconstruction of ancestral state and estimates of divergence time showed that the crown groups of apogamous ferns diversified less than 15 Ma. The results of our ecological and phylogenetic approaches reinforce the hypothesis based on previously reported phylogenetic results in which the apogamous ferns appears to be correlated with strongly seasonal climates such as the Asia monsoon.     

Fern-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are represented by multiple Glomus spp.: do environmental factors influence partner identity?

Symbioses involving arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are among the most important ecological associations for many plant species. The diversity of AMF associated with ferns, however, remains poorly studied. Using recently designed Glomus-specific primers, we surveyed the AMF community associated with ferns from deciduous, broad-leaved second-growth forest habitats at the eastern edge of the piedmont region of central Virginia, USA. Results indicate that this molecular approach may be a useful tool for detecting AMF in ferns compared to traditional techniques based on morphology. Over 30 potential fungal ribotypes were identified from eight fern species using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Fungal ribotypes were found to differ widely in terms of (1) the number of fern partners with which they interact and (2) their relative frequency within each fern. Sequence analysis of fungal isolates from three species of fern indicated that the primers were generally highly specific for Glomus species but some non-target DNA was also amplified. Cloned polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from Polystichum acrostichoides and Osmunda regalis revealed several phylogenetically distinct Glomus species. A single Glomus species was identified in the cloned PCR products from Botrychium virginianum. These findings challenge the hypothesis that the extent or degree of fern–fungal symbiosis is somehow tied to root complexity. Environmental factors appear to influence the suite of AMF that form partnerships with ferns. Some species of fern from similar habitats associated with dissimilar fungal partners (e.g., P. acrostichoides and Athyrium filix-femina var. asplenioides), whereas others harbored uniform fungal communities (e.g., Asplenium platyneuron). The significance of these data in terms of ecological and evolutionary dynamics of the AMF–fern symbiosis is discussed. Brittany West, Jessica Brandt, and Kay Holstien contributed equally to this work.     

Invasive feral pigs impact native tree ferns and woody seedlings in Hawaiian forest

Invasive mammals can fundamentally alter native plant communities, especially on isolated islands where plants evolved without them. The globally invasive feral pig (Sus scrofa) can be particularly destructive to native plant communities. Tree ferns are an important understory component in many forests facilitating the establishment of a variety of species. However, the extent and effects of feral pig damage to tree ferns, and associated impacts on plant community regeneration, are largely unknown. We quantified the effect that feral pig damage has on tree fern growth, survival, and epiphytic woody seedling abundance over 1 year on 438 randomly selected tree ferns of three endemic species (Cibotium chamissoi, Cibotium glaucum, and Cibotium menziesii) in a Hawaiian montane wet forest with high tree fern and feral pig densities. Across all tree fern species, feral pigs damaged 13 % of individuals over 1 year. Compared with undamaged tree ferns, moderately- to heavily-damaged individuals had decreases of 4 to 27 % in trunk length increment and lost tenfold more fronds. Tree fern angle (standing, leaning, prone, or semi-prone) and woody seedling abundance co-varied with feral pig damage. Specifically, damaged tree ferns were more often prone or semi-prone and supported more seedlings, but also had annual mortality up to 34 % higher than undamaged tree ferns. Overall, feral pig damage had substantial negative effects on tree ferns by reducing growth and survival. Given the importance of tree ferns as regeneration sites for a variety of native plants, feral pig damage to tree ferns will likely alter future forest composition and structure. Specifically, feral pig damage to tree ferns reduces potential establishment sites for species that either regenerate preferentially as epiphytes or are currently restricted to epiphytic establishment due to ground rooting by feral pigs.     

Biophysical Model of Xylem Conductance in Tracheids of the Fern Pteris vittata

Calkin, H. W., Gibson, A. C. and Nobel, P. S. 1986. Biophysicalmodel of xylem conductance in tracheids of the fern Pteris vittata.—J.exp. Bot. 37: 1054–1064. Water movement in the xylem is often analysed with the Hagen-Poiseuilleequation, which applies to capillaries of specific diameters.However, the predicted hydraulic conductances per unit length(K_h) are generally much higher than measured values and importantanatomical details, such as the pits of tracheids, are ignored.Here, a previous model based on the Hagen-Poiseuille analysisfor water flow in the stipes of Pteris vittata is improved byincorporating the actual lumen transectional shape (usuallyelliptical or ovate) and the tapering that occurs at the endsof its tracheids, as well as using a better method for analysingthe electrical circuit analogues for the pits (pit cavitiesplus pit membranes). The measured K_h was similar to that predictedby the Hagen-Poiseuille equation for narrow stipes with theirsmall tracheids, but was only about half the measured K^h forlarge stipes. Correcting for the actual shape changed K^h 2-to 3-fold for tracheids with elliptic and ovate transections.For the smaller diameter tracheids, most of the flow resistancewas from the lumens but for the larger tracheids most was fromthe pit membranes. For all stipes the pit cavities accountedfor 12–22% of the total resistance. When the pit membraneswere partially digested away with cellulase, K^h increased about66%, consistent with the deduced resistance of this part ofthe pathway. The present model incorporating realistic anatomicaldetails allowed reasonable predictions of the hydraulic conductanceper unit length over a wide size range of stipes for this fern. Key words: Hydraulic conductance, pit, tracheid, xylem     

Inter-tracheid pitting and the hydraulic efficiency of conifer wood: the role of tracheid allometry and cavitation protection

Plant xylem must balance efficient delivery of water to the canopy against protection from air entry into the conduits via air-seeding. We investigated the relationship between tracheid allometry, end wall pitting, safety from air-seeding, and the hydraulic efficiency of conifer wood in order to better understand the trade-offs between effective transport and protection against air entry. Root and stem wood were sampled from conifers belonging to the Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Podocarpaceae, and Araucariaceae. Hydraulic resistivity of tracheids decreased with increasing tracheid diameter and width, with 64 ± 4% residing in the end wall pitting regardless of tracheid size or phylogenetic affinity. This end-wall percentage was consistent with a near-optimal scaling between tracheid diameter and length that minimized flow resistance for a given tracheid length. There was no evidence that tracheid size and hydraulic efficiency were constrained by the role of the pits in protecting against cavitation by air-seeding. An increase in pit area resistance with safety from cavitation was observed only for species of the northern hemisphere (Pinaceae and Cupressaceae), but this variable was independent of tracheid size, and the increase in pit resistance did not significantly influence tracheid resistance. In contrast to recent work on angiosperm vessels, protection against air-seeding in conifer tracheids appears to be uncoupled from conduit size and conducting efficiency.     

The role of plant hormones in higher plant cellular differentiation. II. Experiments with the vascular cambium, and sclereid and tracheid differentiation in the pine, Pinus contorta

In sterile-cultured explants of stems of the pine Pinus contorta Dougl., fusiform cambial cells differentiated entirely into axial parenchyma cells when exogenous indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) was omitted. The normal appearance of the cambial zone was maintained when IAA was included in the medium. The IAA-maintained stability of cambial structure suggests physiological rather than epigenetic control over vascular cambium structure. IAA was essential for the occurrence of callus growth in stem explants. Callus growth was similar in appearance and extent in winter- and summer-explanted material. Tracheids differentiated in explants only when actively differentiating tracheids were already present at the moment of explanting, suggesting the absence of factors necessary for tracheid differentiation in over-wintering tissues. Sclereid differentiation, which normally does not occur in phloem or xylem development in P. contorta, occurred in callus derived from active cambial explants. The sclereids were identical to sclereids which differentiated in pith of intact stems. The possibility that sclereid and tracheid differentiation may be fundamentally similar types of gene expression is discussed. Growth of P. contorta trees in continuous darkness resulted in extensive compression-wood tracheid differentiation in the upright main stem. Normal-wood tracheids differentiated in similar trees grown in light. More tracheids differentiated in light than in darkness. This apparently is the first report of induction of compression-wood tracheid differentiation in the absence of hormone treatment or tilting of trees. Different types and numbers of tracheids differentiated at different position in two-year-old disbudded defoliated stem cuttings of P. contorta in response to apically supplied IAA. No evidence for new tracheid differentiation was seen in control cuttings; however, the results suggest that neither cambial cell division nor tracheid differentiation were actually initiated by IAA. Directed transport of additional regulatory factors toward areas of high IAA concentration is formulated as a hypothesis to explain these observations. Gibberellic acid, (S)-abscisic acid and IAA inhibited tracheid differentiation when individually supplied to basal ends of P. contorta cuttings predisposed to differentiate new tracheids. Experiments with single intact needles on Pinus cembroides var. monophylla cuttings confirmed a previous interpretation that the mature pine needle, rather than the short-shoot apical meristem at its base, promotes tracheid differentiation in the stem.     

西双版纳热带山地常绿阔叶林蕨类植物多样性研究

基于4个50m×50m(包含400个5m×5m)样方调查,统计了蕨类植物的α多样性指数、优势度指数、相似性指数及β多样性指数。结果表明:在调查的1hm2西双版纳热带山地常绿阔叶林里,蕨类植物的物种丰富度为32种;不同样地蕨类植物丰富度指数、多样性指数、优势度指数及均匀度指数的变化趋势一致;该森林群落蕨类植物的物种多样性虽然不高,但优势种群显著;通过3个无人为干扰与1个受人为干扰样地的对比分析研究看出,该类森林遭受一定程度的人为干扰后,蕨类植物物种丰富度、多样性、优势度及相似性等均显著下降,其中物种多样性的降低尤为显著,既使群落的外貌、结构等恢复至接近原始林状态,蕨类植物丰富度及多样性也难以恢复,故此,保护原始的森林植被是保护该森林蕨类植物多样性的有效措施之一。     

蕨类植物不同孢子裂缝类型在中国的分布格局

孢子在蕨类植物分类及有性生殖过程中具有重要地位, 一般都具有裂缝构造, 常见的是单裂缝和三裂缝, 极少数情况下有多裂缝的变异类型。我们统计了中国蕨类2,281种(含种下单位)的孢子裂缝类型, 来探讨两种不同裂缝类型的分布格局。结果表明: (1)具有单裂缝类型的物种数多于三裂缝类型, 单裂缝与三裂缝物种数目的比值(单/三比)与纬度和海拔呈正相关。随着温度下降以及降水量的降低, 具单裂缝孢子的物种比例增加。推测具单裂缝孢子的蕨类分布范围更广, 更适宜生活在干旱及高纬度或高海拔寒冷地区, 而具三裂缝孢子的蕨类更适宜存在于低纬度或低海拔的温暖地区; (2)蕨类植物孢子裂缝类型不是单次起源, 可能存在平行演化。本研究可以为蕨类植物的起源演化与生态适应等研究提供一定的证据。     

Contrasting Predictors of Fern versus Angiosperm Decomposition in a Common Garden

We evaluated differences in the rates and correlates of decomposition among 32 fern and angiosperm litter types collected in Hawai'i. Leptosporangiate ferns were separated into groups based on phylogeny: 'polypod' ferns, a monophyletic clade of ferns that diversified in the Cretaceous, and all other ('non-polypod') ferns that diversified earlier. We measured initial litter chemistry (nutrients and carbon chemistry), and mass loss and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) of litter tissue during a 1-yr incubation in a common garden. Nutrient concentrations and carbon (C) chemistry differed significantly among litter types, and litter turnover ( k -values) ranged from 0.29 to 8.31. Decomposition rates were more closely correlated with nutrient concentration than is typically observed. Lignin:N was the best predictor of decomposition across all litter types combined; however, among plant groups different predictors of decomposition were important. Nitrogen and P concentrations best predicted fern decomposition, whereas C chemistry, particularly lignin concentration, was more important for angiosperm (monocot and dicot) decomposition. Among native plants, non-polypod ferns decomposed significantly more slowly than both polypod ferns and angiosperms. Contrary to our hypothesis, fern litter did not decompose more slowly than angiosperm litter overall. Nutrient dynamics in litter were affected by initial litter concentration more than phylogeny; low-nutrient litter immobilized more nutrients than high-nutrient litter. Systematic differences in rates of decomposition, and the importance of nutrients in predicting fern decomposition, imply that changes in species composition within ferns and between ferns and angiosperms could influence the functioning of ecosystems where ferns are important forest components.