Gametophyte Features in a Peculiar Annual Fern,Anogramma leptophylla

• DOI: 10.5735/085.048.0604
• Publication Date: 2012-10-19T19:09:06Z
• Authors: Emilia Pangua; Isabel Pérez-Ruzafa; Santiago Pajarón
• Keywords: Sporophyte; Antheridium; Gemma; Bryophyte; Sexual reproduction

Anogramma leptophylla is one of few homosporous ferns with ephemeral sporophytes and perennial gametophytic tubercules. This rare aspect the life cycle has considerable bearing on reproductive features gametophyte. Four populations in Iberian Peninsula were selected to provide spores for laboratory cultures sample natural gametophytes comparative studies. Sexual expression role tubercule biology this fern studied. No significant differences found between percentages sexual versus asexual prothalli or cultures, unisexual bisexual prothalli. These results may indicate that sex A. genetically determined instead environmentally controlled as most ferns. The presence a nutrient reserves seems be favourable development archegonia, establishment young sporophytes. tubercule, which can resist stressful environmental conditions, allows new outgrowths dormant embryos soon conditions improve. bryophyte-like behaviour gives some advantages colonisation probably contributed its wide geographic range.