Clues about the ancestral roles of plant MADS-box genes from a functional analysis of moss homologues

Classic MIKC-type MADS-box genes (MIKC ^c genes) are indispensable elements in the genetic programming of pattern formation, including the segmental organisation of angiosperm flowers, in seed plants. Since little is known about the functions of MIKC ^c genes in non-seed plants, a functional analysis of moss MIKC ^c homologues was performed using the genetically amenable, simple model plant, Physcomitrella patens. Expression of moss homologues was knocked down using an antisense RNA approach or abolished by generating transformants with gene knockouts. The knocked down (“antisense”) transformants displayed a multifaceted mutant phenotype comprising delayed gametangia formation, diminished sporophyte yield and, in the most extremely affected cases, abnormal sporophyte development and altered leaf morphogenesis. Knocked out transformants were phenotypically normal. Analysis of in situ MIKC ^c gene expression using transgenic strains containing MIKC ^c promoter–GUS fusions showed that these genes are generally expressed ubiquitously in vegetative and reproductive tissues. We conclude that MIKC ^c genes play significant roles in morphogenetic programming of the moss. Functional redundancy characterises some members of the gene group. Our findings provide clues concerning the ancestral roles of some MIKC ^c genes that may be represented in the genomes of diverse extant plant taxa. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal structure and fungi associated with mosses

We investigated the colonization and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi associated with 24 moss species belonging to 16 families in China. AM fungal structures, i.e. spores, vesicles, hyphal coils (including intracellular hyphae), or intercellular nonseptate hyphae, were found in 21 moss species. AM fungal structures (vesicles, hyphal coils, and intercellular nonseptate hyphae) were present in tissues of 14 moss species, and spores and nonseptate hyphae on the surface of gametophytes occurred in 15 species. AM fungal structures were present in 11 of the 12 saxicolous moss species and in six of the ten terricolous moss species, but absent in two epixylous moss species. AM fungal structures were only observed in moss stem and leaf tissues, but not in rhizoids. A total of 15 AM fungal taxa were isolated based on trap culture with clover, using 13 moss species as inocula. Of these AM fungi, 11 belonged to Glomus, two to Acaulospora, one to Gigaspora, and one to Paraglomus. Our results suggest that AM fungal structures commonly occur in most mosses and that diverse AM fungi, particularly Glomus species, are associated with mosses.     

腾格里沙漠固定沙丘藓类植物结皮层的自然恢复及人工培养试验研究

 通过藓类结皮层的自然恢复和人工培养藓类植物促进结皮层形成试验,研究了腾格里沙漠固定沙丘生物结皮层形成过程中优势成分真藓 （Bryum argenteum） 的繁殖生物学特性,结果表明：藓类结皮层人工去除后在3～4年内70%的样方基本恢复,在此过程中真藓主要靠茎叶碎片传播和繁殖;通过分株法、撒茎叶法培养的真藓在1个月后长满整个样地, 主要通过如下方式繁殖——茎的碎片连续分枝可产生小植株,茎、叶均可产生原丝体,由原丝体发育产生小植株,小植株又可再生原丝体,如此反复产生新植物体,这一过程是野外人工促进生物结皮层形成过程中真藓主要的繁殖途径。与室内培养中真藓的繁殖特性相比较,野外培养的真藓在繁殖过程中产生的原丝体较粗壮,分枝多,但在两种条件下的繁殖特性相同,能够揭示该地区自然条件下藓类植物萌发和定居的繁殖机理。该研究为人工促进生物结皮层形成及治理受损结皮层提供了实验依据。     

Microsites for seedling establishment of subalpine conifers in a forest with moss-type undergrowth on Mt. Fuji, central Honshu, Japan

We examined microsites for the seedling establishment of Tsuga diversifolia, Abies veitchii and Abies mariesii in a subalpine coniferous forest with moss-type undergrowth dominated by Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi on Mt. Fuji, a less-snowy mountain located on the Pacific Ocean side of the central part of Honshu Island, Japan, and compared these microsites with cases in other regions of Japan with different undergrowth vegetation (herb type, dwarf-bamboo type) under snowier conditions. L-shaped size structures with abundant seedlings and small trees were identified for all three species. Established seedlings of T. diversifolia showed remarkable preference for elevated microsites such as fallen logs and convex ground (i.e. ground raised around trunk bases), while A. veitchii and A. mariesii indicated no significant bias toward such elevated microsites in the large seedling stage. However, the relative frequency of T. diversifolia seedlings established on flat ground reached high values of 54–77%, since the relative occupation area of the flat ground was large (85–89%). Such a large share suggests that flat ground should be regarded as the most important microsite for the seedling establishment of T. diversifolia in forests with moss-type undergrowth. This preference trait for T. diversifolia observed with moss-type undergrowth has not been reported in previous studies examining forests with herb- and dwarf bamboo-type undergrowth, where T. diversifolia seedlings are scarce on the ground and restricted to elevated microsites. We conclude that the major microsite for T. diversifolia seedling establishment changes according to the undergrowth vegetation type: a large ground share for moss-type undergrowth and a small ground share for herb- and dwarf bamboo-type undergrowth.     

Seasonal and spatial variance of seed bank species composition in an oligotrophic wet meadow

Seasonal and small-scale spatial variation of the seed bank in an oligotrophic wet meadow (Molinion) was assessed by two methods: (1) direct determination of seeds extracted from soil samples (6 cm in diameter, 10 cm depth) and (2) germination of seeds according to Ter Heerdt et al. [1996. An improved method for seed bank analysis: seedling emergence after removing the soil by sieving. Funct. Ecol. 10, 144–151]. Samples were taken three times during the year (July and November 2001, March 2002) from three distinct microhabitats (moss layer, gaps, Molinia caerulea tussocks). Using the extraction method, more seeds were found in the upper 0–3 cm soil layer than in the deeper 3–7 cm layer, significant differences in the number of seeds were found among microhabitats (with the lowest seed bank densities in Molinia tussocks). The highest number of seeds was found in the spring census, but the test was not significant (P<0.10). However, seasonal variation was found when damaged seeds were included in the analysis. Changes in damaged/undamaged and light/heavy seed ratios, and in numbers of grass/herbs/sedges seeds are also discussed. The spatial distribution of seeds is probably influenced to a great degree by abiotic factors, such as microtopography (round and heavy seeds of sedges prevail in gaps and in deeper soil layers). The species composition of the seed bank varied among microhabitats, depth, and throughout the year. No differences were found by the seed germination method.     

固定沙丘结皮层藓类植物多样性及固沙作用研究

 根据对沙坡头固定沙丘生物结皮的物种调查、鉴定及盖度和生物量的研究,藓类植物共2科,7属,16种,以真藓（Bryum argenteum）为优势种。随着固沙时间的延长,生物结皮中藓类和藻类总盖度呈上升趋势;沿不同年代固定沙丘坡面向上等距离梯度,藓类盖度显著下降,而藻类盖度则平稳上升。对不同年代固定沙丘生物结皮优势种真藓的生物量和固沙量的测定表明,随沙丘固定年代的增加,真藓的生物量和固沙量增加,50年代固沙区结皮层真藓生物量是944.03 kg·hm-2,固沙量是3.925×104 kg·hm-2,但固沙率随时间的增加而减少。真藓的饱和吸水量与生物量呈正相关,50年代固定沙丘藓类结皮层可吸水7.06×103 kg·hm-2,说明藓类结皮层具有很强的吸水和保水能力,对于干燥少雨的沙漠地区具有十分重要的生态学意义。     

藓纲植物化学成分及其生物活性研究进展

藓纲植物是天然活性产物的重要来源,在自然界分布广泛;但是对藓纲植物的化学成分及其生理活性的研究较少,国内基本属于空白。本文对近年来该领域内的研究成果进行了综述,旨在引起化学家、植物学家及其他相关科学家对此门类研究的兴趣和重视,共同开发这一重要资源。     

Comparative ecology of seedling recruitment in an oligotrophic wet meadow

Abstract. For the regeneration niche to contribute to the maintenance of species diversity interspecific differences in sensitivity of seedling recruitment to environmental conditions is assumed. We experimentally tested differences between meadow species for the response of seed germination to chilling, and sensitivity of seedling recruitment to microscale heterogeneity. We also compared the dynamics of seedling recruitment in gaps. Seed germination was tested in standard laboratory germination tests, comparing control seeds with seeds chilled at +4 °C, and at –14°C for one month. Species responses varied from significant increases in germinability after chilling (e.g. Cirsium palustre, Betonica officinalis, Angelica sylvestris) to significant decreases (e.g. Hieracium umbellatum, Succisa pratensis, Selinum carvifolia). In some species, chilling at + 4 °C has a similar effect to chilling at –14 °C, in others the effect of chilling at + 4°C was intermediate, and in some, there was no effect of chilling at + 4°C, but an effect of chilling at –14°C. Different chilling temperatures also affect timing and speed of seed germination under greenhouse conditions. The dynamics of seed germination under field conditions was studied by sowing seeds into artificially created gaps and following their germination, both where the seedlings were removed after emergence and where they were not removed. Species differ in their germination dynamics: they all start late April, but then differentiate from an abrupt maximum and early finish of germination (in the second half of May), to prolonged germination without a marked maximum. Seedling removal increased the total number of germinated seeds, with a marked density dependence at this stage. Seeds were also sown into plots with treatments (1) gaps, sod stripped, above-ground vegetation removed; (2) mown, moss layer removed; (3) mown; (4) untouched control. Seedling emergence was monitored for 3 yr. Seedling recruitment decreased from treatments (1) to (4), but sensitivity differed between species. With increasing seed weight, the difference between gaps and other treatments decreased. The results show that there are considerable differences in seedling recruitment sensitivity between species.     

Yakushimabryum longissimum (Pylaisiadelphaceae) gen. & sp. nov., from the Yakushima Island,Japan

Abstract

Yakushimabryum longissimum gen. & sp. nov. (Pylaisiadelphaceae, Musci), is described from Yakushima Island, Japan, on the basis of morphology and rbcL data. It is characterized by more or less glossy, yellowish green living plants, naked dormant branch buds, absence of costa in the leaves, smooth and linear leaf lamina cells, alar groups composed of a number of quadrate cells arranged in a scalariform manner, ascending branches that are often elongate into slender tips, and filamentous gemmae consisting of smooth, long-rectangular cells. Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest an affinity neither to Clastobryopsis nor Gammiella, both of which grow in similar habitats and share alar morphology and shape of propagules, but to Isocladiella and Isopterygium, both of which have filamentous pseudoparaphyllia and different types of propagules. A key to the Japanese genera of Pylaisiadelphaceae is provided.