Correlation Analysis of Two Hydrochemical Factors Affecting the Distribution of Ceratopteris thalictroides in China

[ Objective] This study was to analyze the two hydrochemical factors affecting the distribution of Ceratopteris thalictroides, further to provide basis for its habitat protection and population restoration. [ Method ] Twenty two hydrochemical parameters of 22 sampling sites in China＇s tropical and subtropical zones were respectively averaged for calculating their variation coefficients, of which the two showing significant differences were used for multiple comparisons and correlation analyses via least significant difference and correlation coefficient. E Result ] The correlation coefficients of all the 22 tested hydrochemical parameters varied hugely, but only pH value and conductivity showed significantly differences in two water body （type A and type B）. Analysis of correlation presented that pH value were positively correlated with conductivity; further the multiple comparisons showed that the significant difference of pH value was higher than that of conductivity. [Conclusion] With regard to the two hydrochemical parameters showing significant differences, pH value influences the distribution of C. thalictroides more.

Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii(Pteridaceae),two new diploid species from China,based on morphological,cytological,and molecular data

Understanding how natural hybridization and polyploidizations originate in plants requires identifying potential diploid ancestors.However,cryptic plant species are widespread,particularly in Ceratopteris(Pteridaceae).Identifying Ceratopteris cryptic species with different polyploidy levels is a challenge because Ceratopteris spp.exhibit high degrees of phenotypic plasticity.Here,two new cryptic species of Ceratopteris,Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii,are described and illustrated.Phylogenetic analyses reveal that each of the new species form a well-supported clade.C.chunii and C.chingii are similar to Ceratopteris gaudichaudii var.vulgaris and C.pteridoides,respectively,but distinct from their relatives in the stipe,basal pinna of the sterile leaf or subelliptic shape of the fertile leaf,as well as the spore surface.In addition,chromosome studies indicate that C.chunii and C.chingii are both diploid.These findings will help us further understand the origin of Ceratopteris polyploids in Asia.

The Effects of Sugars and Ethylene on Apospory and Regeneration in <i>Ceratopteris richardii</i>

In land plants, two distinct generations, gametophyte and sporophyte, alternate to complete the life cycle. Sporophytes undergo meiosis to produce spores, from which gametophytes develop. Gametophytes produce gametes, which participate in fertilization to produce the zygote, the first cell of the sporophyte generation. In addition to this sexual reproduction pathway, some fern species can undergo apospory or apogamy, processes that bypass meiosis or fertilization, respectively, to alternate between the two generations without changing the chromosome number. Apospory is inducible in the laboratory in various fern species simply by altering the sugar level in the media. In sporophytes induced to undergo apospory, sporophyte regeneration is also observed. The ratio of aposporous gametophytes to regenerated sporophytes varies, in a manner consistent with being dependent on sugar level. Whereas the sugar signaling pathway is yet to be elucidated in lower plants, in angiosperms it has been shown to play a regulatory role in controlling essential processes including flowering and embryo development, which give rise to the gametophyte and the next sporophyte generation, respectively. Here, we present evidence for the role of different sugar levels on the balance of apospory and regeneration in the fern Ceratopteris richardii. The demonstration of crosstalk between sugar signaling and the hormone ethylene signaling in angiosperms prompted us to test the effects of this hormone in combination with sugar on apospory vs. regeneration. These results provide insight into how a group of redifferentiating cells determines which generation to become and lay the groundwork for further analysis of this asexual pathway.

Ultrastructure of the Mature Egg and Fertilization in the Fern Ceratopteris thalictroides

The ultrastructure of the mature egg and fertilization in the fern Ceratopteris thafictroides （L.） Brongn. were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the mature egg possesses an obvious egg membrane at the periphery of the egg. Furthermore, a fertilization pore was identified in the upper egg membrane of the mature egg. The structure of the pore is described for the first time. The fertilization experiment indicated that spermatozoids crowd into the cavity above the egg through the neck canal of the archegonium; however, only one of these can penetrate into the egg through the fertilization pore. Immediately on penetration of the spermatozoid, the egg begins to shrink. The volume of the fertilized egg decreases to almost one-half that of the unfertilized egg. As a result, the protoplasm of the fertilized egg becomes dense and opaque, which may lead to a situation where the organelles of both the egg and the fertilizing spermatozoid become indistinguishable. Simultaneously, abundant vesicles containing concentric membranes or opaque materials appear near the fertilization pore in the cytoplasm of the fertilized egg. These vesicles are considered to act as a barrier that prevents polyspermy. The present study provides a new insight into the ultrastructure of the mature egg and the cytological mechanism of fertilization in ferns.

杭州西湖水蕨种群的生境特征和群落基本结构

采用样方调查和α-多样性指数分析法研究了杭州西湖水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)种群的生境特征和群落基本结构。结果表明,水蕨生长在浅水沟中,种群面积25～30 m2,植株数约15株,频度约53%,盖度1%左右,为小种群。与水蕨相伴生的物种主要有5科6属7种。水蕨群落的群丛名为千金子-空心莲子草,其群丛类型为湿生类。α-多样性指数分析结果显示,水蕨群落辛普森指数(D)、香农威纳指数(H′)和Pielou均匀度指数(J)分别为0.733 0、1.465 0和0.910 3。相关性分析表明,水蕨与莎草之间呈显著负相关(r=-0.529 7),千金子与莎草之间呈显著正相关(r=0.814 9),其他物种之间没有相关性。茶园管理和旅游等人类干扰是导致水蕨濒危的重要原因。建立保护点和迁地保护是保护该水蕨种群的有效措施。

不同水分条件对3种蕨类植物配子体形态发育的影响

研究了不同水分条件对3种不同演化地位的蕨类植物(海金沙(Lygodium japonicum)、水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)、狗脊(Woodwardia japonica))的配子体形态发育的影响.结果表明:1)随着水分的增加,海金沙、水蕨和狗脊孢子的萌发速率加快,丝状体的长度增长; 2)在缺水条件下,配子体易发育成雄性配子体,而在水分充足条件下,配子体易发育成两性配子体或雌性配子体; 3)次生假根的形态及毛状体的数量等受到水分条件的影响; 4)孢子萌发类型、配子体发育类型及成熟原叶体和毛状体的形态结构是相对稳定的性状,可作为蕨类植物分类鉴定的依据.