Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes
Abstract Premise Studies of fern and lycophyte gametophyte biology in natural settings can be challenging, but such analyses are critical to understanding the dispersal, ecology, and conservation of these species. It is especially challenging to study species whose gametophytes and early sporophyte...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Applications in Plant Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11469 |
| _version_ | 1818522404727554048 |
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| author | Donald R. Farrar Cindy L. Johnson |
| author_facet | Donald R. Farrar Cindy L. Johnson |
| author_sort | Donald R. Farrar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Premise Studies of fern and lycophyte gametophyte biology in natural settings can be challenging, but such analyses are critical to understanding the dispersal, ecology, and conservation of these species. It is especially challenging to study species whose gametophytes and early sporophyte stages develop belowground, as is the case for species of the Ophioglossaceae, Psilotaceae, some species of the Schizeaceae (Actinostachys), and some species of the Lycopodiaceae. To study these taxa, gametophytes and young sporophytes must be extracted from the soil. Methods In 1989, Mason and Farrar described a methodology for accomplishing the collection of belowground gametophytes and sporophytes using soil centrifugation. Here, we refine this procedure based on subsequent years of experience. Results We found that many more sporophytes exist belowground than are represented by aboveground leaves, and that belowground sporophytes can survive indefinitely without production of aboveground leaves. Belowground gametophytes are common in areas where spore‐releasing sporophyte leaves are present. Gametophytes are bisexual with male and female gametangia intermixed. Some species of Botrychium also reproduce asexually belowground through production of gemmae. Discussion We conclude that in Botrychium, assessments of population health and structure must include analyses of the belowground plants and their habitat. Conservation management strategies must also include potential changes in the belowground habitat. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:32:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d3efa6e9204b4ff6bfeab07fa2f96e2b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2168-0450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:32:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applications in Plant Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-d3efa6e9204b4ff6bfeab07fa2f96e2b2022-12-22T01:19:22ZengWileyApplications in Plant Sciences2168-04502022-03-01102n/an/a10.1002/aps3.11469Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytesDonald R. Farrar0Cindy L. Johnson1Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Iowa State University 2200 Osborn Drive Ames Iowa 50011‐4009 USADepartments of Biology, Environmental Studies, and African Studies Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter Minnesota USAAbstract Premise Studies of fern and lycophyte gametophyte biology in natural settings can be challenging, but such analyses are critical to understanding the dispersal, ecology, and conservation of these species. It is especially challenging to study species whose gametophytes and early sporophyte stages develop belowground, as is the case for species of the Ophioglossaceae, Psilotaceae, some species of the Schizeaceae (Actinostachys), and some species of the Lycopodiaceae. To study these taxa, gametophytes and young sporophytes must be extracted from the soil. Methods In 1989, Mason and Farrar described a methodology for accomplishing the collection of belowground gametophytes and sporophytes using soil centrifugation. Here, we refine this procedure based on subsequent years of experience. Results We found that many more sporophytes exist belowground than are represented by aboveground leaves, and that belowground sporophytes can survive indefinitely without production of aboveground leaves. Belowground gametophytes are common in areas where spore‐releasing sporophyte leaves are present. Gametophytes are bisexual with male and female gametangia intermixed. Some species of Botrychium also reproduce asexually belowground through production of gemmae. Discussion We conclude that in Botrychium, assessments of population health and structure must include analyses of the belowground plants and their habitat. Conservation management strategies must also include potential changes in the belowground habitat.https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11469belowground sexual reproductionBotrychiumfern and lycophyte gametophytesmethodologyOphioglossaceae |
| spellingShingle | Donald R. Farrar Cindy L. Johnson Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes Applications in Plant Sciences belowground sexual reproduction Botrychium fern and lycophyte gametophytes methodology Ophioglossaceae |
| title | Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes |
| title_full | Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes |
| title_fullStr | Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes |
| title_short | Methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes |
| title_sort | methodologies for soil extraction and conservation analysis of ferns and lycophytes with belowground gametophytes |
| topic | belowground sexual reproduction Botrychium fern and lycophyte gametophytes methodology Ophioglossaceae |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11469 |
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