Theories on adaptations to high light intensity in the aquatic moss Fontinalis

Abstract

Fontinalis antipyretica, collected from a cold stream in bright sunlight, served as a model for adaptations of Fontinalis to sun and shade. Sun leaves produced red pigments and had less chlorophyll, greater specific leaf weight, and less specific leaf area than shade leaves. The chlorophyll a/b ratio was not significantly different under high and low light conditions. Except for the relatively constant a/b ratio, Fontinalis behaved like higher plants in its sun/shade differences.