Multiple DNA contents in the haploid protonema of the mossFunaria hygrometrica sibth

Summary Cytofluorometry with fluorochrome Hoechst 33258 shows that caulonema cells in the protonema of the haploid mossFunaria hygrometrica endoreduplicate their DNA up to 8 or 16 C during normal development. The increase in DNA content depends on age and position of the cells in the filament and occurs in those cells, which normally do not undergo any further growth or division.Single cells from different positions between the tip and the tenth cell of the filament were isolated and regenerated to new protonema. Groth and differentiation of these regenerates depend on the age and position of the original cell. Cytofluorometry of the tip cells of these regenerates shows, that the higher DNA content is maintained during regeneration.