Research

15 pages, 4753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Variation in Water-Holding Capacity in Sphagnum Species Depends on Both Plant and Colony Structure

by Willem Q. M. van de Koot, James Msonda, Olga P. Olver, John H. Doonan and Candida Nibau

Plants 2024, 13(8), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081061 - 09 Apr 2024

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Peatlands have become a focal point in climate mitigation strategies as these ecosystems have significant carbon sequestration capacities when healthy but release CO₂ and other greenhouse gases when damaged. However, as drought episodes become more frequent and prolonged, organisms key to the [...] Read more.

Peatlands have become a focal point in climate mitigation strategies as these ecosystems have significant carbon sequestration capacities when healthy but release CO₂ and other greenhouse gases when damaged. However, as drought episodes become more frequent and prolonged, organisms key to the functioning of some peatlands are increasingly under pressure from desiccation. The Sphagnum mosses, which tend to keep their ecosystem waterlogged and many of whom promote peat formation, are only mildly desiccation-tolerant in comparison to other mosses. The role of Sphagnum anatomy and colony structure is poorly understood in the context of desiccation resilience. Using four different Sphagnum species belonging to four different subgenera and positions along the gradient of the water table, we show that plant morphological traits and colony density are important determinants of water storage capacity. Our results show that, as previously postulated, the majority of the water is stored in an easily exchangeable form, probably extracellularly, and that plant morphological traits, specifically the type and presence of branches, are major contributors to water storage and can explain some of the interspecies variation. We also show that plant density is another important determinant for water storage capacity as higher densities hold larger quantities of water per unit of biomass for all four species, which increases resilience to desiccation. The results presented here suggest that species choice and planting density should receive more attention when considering peatland restoration strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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16 pages, 9265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Intraspecific Trait Variation in a Xerophytic Moss Species Indusiella thianschanica (Ptychomitriaceae) across Environmental Gradients on the Tibetan Plateau

by Xiaotong Song, Jiqi Gu, Yanhui Ye, Mengzhen Wang, Ruihong Wang, Heping Ma and Xiaoming Shao

Plants 2024, 13(7), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070921 - 22 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Investigating intraspecific trait variability is crucial for understanding plant adaptation to various environments, yet research on lithophytic mosses in extreme environments remains scarce. This study focuses on Indusiella thianschanica Broth. Hal., a unique lithophytic moss species in the extreme environments of the Tibetan [...] Read more.

Investigating intraspecific trait variability is crucial for understanding plant adaptation to various environments, yet research on lithophytic mosses in extreme environments remains scarce. This study focuses on Indusiella thianschanica Broth. Hal., a unique lithophytic moss species in the extreme environments of the Tibetan Plateau, aiming to uncover its adaptation and response mechanisms to environmental changes. Specimens were collected from 26 sites across elevations ranging from 3642 m to 5528 m, and the relationships between 23 morphological traits and 15 environmental factors were analyzed. Results indicated that coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 5.91% to 36.11%, with gametophyte height (GH) and basal cell transverse wall thickness (STW) showing the highest and lowest variations, respectively. Temperature, elevation, and potential evapo-transpiration (PET) emerged as primary environmental drivers. Leaf traits, especially those of the leaf sheath, exhibited a more pronounced response to the environment. The traits exhibited apparent covariation in response to environmental challenges and indicated flexible adaptive strategies. This study revealed the adaptation and response patterns of different morphological traits of I. thianschanica to environmental changes on the Tibetan Plateau, emphasizing the significant effect of temperature on trait variation. Our findings deepen the understanding of the ecology and adaptive strategies of lithophytic mosses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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15 pages, 2547 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Telomere Length Variation in Model Bryophytes

by Liia R. Valeeva, Anastasia V. Sannikova, Nadiya R. Shafigullina, Liliia R. Abdulkina, Margarita R. Sharipova and Eugene V. Shakirov

Plants 2024, 13(3), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030387 - 28 Jan 2024

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Abstract

The ends of linear chromosomes of most eukaryotes consist of protein-bound DNA arrays called telomeres, which play essential roles in protecting genome integrity. Despite general evolutionary conservation in function, telomeric DNA is known to drastically vary in length and sequence between different eukaryotic [...] Read more.

The ends of linear chromosomes of most eukaryotes consist of protein-bound DNA arrays called telomeres, which play essential roles in protecting genome integrity. Despite general evolutionary conservation in function, telomeric DNA is known to drastically vary in length and sequence between different eukaryotic lineages. Bryophytes are a group of early diverging land plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. This group of ancient land plants recently emerged as a new model for important discoveries in genomics and evolutionary biology, as well as for understanding plant adaptations to a terrestrial lifestyle. We measured telomere length in different ecotypes of model bryophyte species, including Physcomitrium patens, Marchantia polymorpha, Ceratodon purpureus, and in Sphagnum isolates. Our data indicate that all analyzed moss and liverwort genotypes have relatively short telomeres. Furthermore, all analyzed ecotypes and isolates of model mosses and liverworts display evidence of substantial natural variation in telomere length. Interestingly, telomere length also differs between male and female strains of the dioecious liverwort M. polymorpha and dioecious moss C. purpureus. Given that bryophytes are extraordinarily well adapted to different ecological niches from polar to tropical environments, our data will contribute to understanding the impact of natural telomere length variation on evolutionary adaptations in this ancient land plant lineage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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16 pages, 1222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Cesium on Physiological Traits of the Catherine’s Moss Atrichum undulatum Hedw.

by Jelena N. Stanojković, Marija V. Ćosić, Djordje P. Božović, Aneta D. Sabovljević, Marko S. Sabovljević, Ana A. Čučulović and Milorad M. Vujičić

Plants 2024, 13(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010054 - 23 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Mosses are proven bioindicators of living environments. It is known that mosses accumulate pollutants from precipitates and, to some lesser extent, from the substrate. In this study, the effects of cesium (Cs) on the physiological traits of acrocarp polytrichaceous Catherine’s moss (Atrichum [...] Read more.

Mosses are proven bioindicators of living environments. It is known that mosses accumulate pollutants from precipitates and, to some lesser extent, from the substrate. In this study, the effects of cesium (Cs) on the physiological traits of acrocarp polytrichaceous Catherine’s moss (Atrichum undulatum Hedw.) were studied under controlled, in vitro conditions. Cesium can be found in the environment in a stable form (¹³³Cs) and as a radioactive isotope (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs). Belonging to the same group of elements, Cs and potassium (K) share various similarities, due to which Cs can interfere with this essential element and thus possibly alter the plant’s metabolism. Results have shown that Cs affects the measured physiological characteristics of A. undulatum, although the changes to antioxidative enzyme activities were not drastic following Cs treatments. Therefore, the activities of antioxidative enzymes at lower pH values are more the consequence of pH effects on enzymatic conformation than simply the harmful effects of Cs. Moreover, Cs did not affect the survival of plants grown on the solid substrate nor plants grown in conditions of light and heavy rain simulation using Cs with variable pH, indicating that Cs is not harmful in this form for the studied species A. undulatum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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14 pages, 821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition, Lipid-Soluble Bioactive Compounds and Potential Health Benefits of the Moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw

by Zhana Petkova, Olga Teneva, Ginka Antova, Maria Angelova-Romova, Gana Gecheva and Ivanka Dimitrova-Dyulgerova

Plants 2023, 12(24), 4190; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12244190 - 18 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. is the main species for Moss surveys (ICP Vegetation programme) in Southeastern Europe and is widely distributed in the region. In addition to their biomonitoring role, mosses are applied in some countries as a traditional medicine for the treatment of [...] Read more.

Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. is the main species for Moss surveys (ICP Vegetation programme) in Southeastern Europe and is widely distributed in the region. In addition to their biomonitoring role, mosses are applied in some countries as a traditional medicine for the treatment of eczema, cuts, burns, eye diseases, etc. Therefore, the chemical and lipid composition of the moss H. cupressiforme is of interest to establish their possible application in different fields. The chemical composition of the moss was examined regarding total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates (i.e., fibres), ash, and moisture content. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were determined as sterols, tocopherols, phospholipids and fatty acids. The major fatty acids were linoleic (14.9%), oleic (13.8%), palmitic (12.5%) and α-linolenic (11.3%) acids. Unsaturated fatty acids (56.4%) prevailed in the glyceride oil, in which the polyunsaturated ones constituted 32.5%. The lipid indices (atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio, peroxidability, and oxidation stability index) were also theoretically calculated based on the fatty acid composition of the moss lipids to establish their health benefits and the rate of oxidation. The primary results of this study revealed H. cupressiforme to be a promising alternative source of bioactive compounds that could be implemented in supplements with health-promoting effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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14 pages, 5008 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is a Combination of Metals More Toxic to Mosses Than a Single Metal?

by Luigi Schillaci, Nevena Djakovic and Ingeborg Lang

Plants 2023, 12(23), 3960; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233960 - 24 Nov 2023

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Abstract

Increasing pollution in the environment calls for the precise determination of metal toxicity in plants as they are at the base of the food chain. Mosses are often employed as biomonitors and provide good models for testing metal adsorption. However, species may react [...] Read more.

Increasing pollution in the environment calls for the precise determination of metal toxicity in plants as they are at the base of the food chain. Mosses are often employed as biomonitors and provide good models for testing metal adsorption. However, species may react differently and many studies only look at one metal at a time, even though toxicity levels are affected by metal combinations. In this study, the effects of CuCl₂, MnCl₂, FeCl₂, and Sb-acetate were examined individually and in combinations on the moss species Pohlia drummondii and Physcomitrium patens. In general, the two species reacted differently to the presence of trace metals; although, for both, the tolerance limit was at 100 µM. Overall, individual metals were less toxic than combinations, with some exceptions for Fe and Mn in P. patens. Additionally, we demonstrate that multiple combinations of metals are especially toxic if Cu is present. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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20 pages, 5108 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Laser-Induced Fluorescence for Monitoring Environmental Contamination and Stress in the Moss Thuidium plicatile

by Kelly Truax, Henrietta Dulai, Anupam Misra, Wendy Kuhne, Peter Fuleky, Celia Smith and Milton Garces

Plants 2023, 12(17), 3124; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173124 - 30 Aug 2023

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Abstract

The ability to detect, measure, and locate the source of contaminants, especially heavy metals and radionuclides, is of ongoing interest. A common tool for contaminant identification and bioremediation is vegetation that can accumulate and indicate recent and historic pollution. However, large-scale sampling can [...] Read more.

The ability to detect, measure, and locate the source of contaminants, especially heavy metals and radionuclides, is of ongoing interest. A common tool for contaminant identification and bioremediation is vegetation that can accumulate and indicate recent and historic pollution. However, large-scale sampling can be costly and labor-intensive. Hence, non-invasive in-situ techniques such as laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) are becoming useful and effective ways to observe the health of plants through the excitation of organic molecules, e.g., chlorophyll. The technique presented utilizes images collected of LIF in moss to identify different metals and environmental stressors. Analysis through image processing of LIF response was key to identifying Cu, Zn, Pb, and a mixture of the metals at nmol/cm² levels. Specifically, the RGB values from each image were used to create density histograms of each color channel’s relative pixel abundance at each decimal code value. These histograms were then used to compare color shifts linked to the successful identification of contaminated moss samples. Photoperiod and extraneous environmental stressors had minimal impact on the histogram color shift compared to metals and presented with a response that differentiated them from metal contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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Graphical abstract

22 pages, 13315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Bryophyte Flora of Vienna

by Harald G. Zechmeister and Michaela Kropik

Plants 2023, 12(16), 3002; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12163002 - 20 Aug 2023

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Abstract

The bryophyte flora of Vienna is documented only in parts. Old finds often appeared in publications about Lower Austria; only one study addressed the bryophytes of the inner city. Here, we present a bryophyte flora of Vienna, including historical reports and the results [...] Read more.

The bryophyte flora of Vienna is documented only in parts. Old finds often appeared in publications about Lower Austria; only one study addressed the bryophytes of the inner city. Here, we present a bryophyte flora of Vienna, including historical reports and the results of recent investigations. From 1998 to 2023, we recorded 329 bryophyte taxa in Viennese urban territory. Fifty-six of these were liverworts, and 273 were mosses. Sixty-seven taxa are new for Vienna. Forty-nine taxa, given in historical studies, could no longer be found. If we also count these, 378 taxa occurred in Vienna to date. Of the current occurring bryophytes, 67 species have an endangerment classification. Rich in bryophytes were the dry grasslands of the Lobau, the oxbow lakes of the Lobau and the Prater, and large parts of the Wienerwald. But flat roofs and inner-city areas also showed more than 100 species. Compared to other European cities, Vienna is decidedly species-rich and highly responsible for some species in Austria. Reasons for this are the extensive green spaces and the pronounced climatic gradient from the sub-oceanic west to the sub-continental east of Vienna. Awareness raising for bryophytes we recommend in addition to the existing biotope protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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13 pages, 2969 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Finds and Ecology of the Rare Liverworts Scapania apiculata, Scapania carinthiaca, and Scapania scapanioides in Austria

by Michaela Kropik and Harald G. Zechmeister

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2753; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152753 - 25 Jul 2023

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Abstract

Scapania apiculata, Scapania carinthiaca, and Scapania scapanioides are rare deadwood-dwelling liverworts threatened across Europe. Scapania carinthiaca is thus listed in the Habitats Directive. However, their distribution data are scattered, and their ecologic demands are insufficiently studied. Here, we present new locations [...] Read more.

Scapania apiculata, Scapania carinthiaca, and Scapania scapanioides are rare deadwood-dwelling liverworts threatened across Europe. Scapania carinthiaca is thus listed in the Habitats Directive. However, their distribution data are scattered, and their ecologic demands are insufficiently studied. Here, we present new locations and data on the ecology of the species, which resulted from a targeted search in selected regions of Austria. We found ten new sites each for Scapania apiculata and Scapania scapanioides and twenty for Scapania carinthiaca. Reproduction was exclusively asexual. The macroclimates of all known locations in Austria did not differ significantly between the three species. It was consistently wet, with a mean annual precipitation of 1615.3 mm, a high evenness of rainfall, and a low desiccation risk. The mean temperature averaged 7.4 °C. The habitat was shaded dead wood of Picea abies, Abies alba, and Fagus sylvatica of all decay stages at a median distance of 2.5 m from streams or springy areas in semi-natural forests of montane and submontane regions. Thus, high deadwood volumes under a suitable climate are a prerequisite for the occurrences of the species. The number of locations of new finds has more than doubled in Austria and thus in Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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18 pages, 2825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Insight into the Biology of the Rare and Peculiar Moss Pterygoneurum sibiricum (Pottiaceae): A Conservation Physiology Approach

by Bojana Z. Jadranin, Marija V. Ćosić, Djordje P. Božović, Milorad M. Vujičić, Michael S. Ignatov, Elena A. Ignatova, Aneta D. Sabovljević and Marko S. Sabovljević

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1359; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061359 - 17 Mar 2023

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Abstract

The biological features of the recently described peculiar and rare pottioid moss species Pterygoneurum sibiricum have been studied. A conservation physiology approach through in vitro axenic establishment and laboratory-controlled tests was applied to learn more about its development, physiology, and ecology. Additionally, ex [...] Read more.

The biological features of the recently described peculiar and rare pottioid moss species Pterygoneurum sibiricum have been studied. A conservation physiology approach through in vitro axenic establishment and laboratory-controlled tests was applied to learn more about its development, physiology, and ecology. Additionally, ex situ collection for this species was established, and a micropropagation methodology was developed. The results obtained clearly document its reaction to salt stress in contrast to its sibling bryo-halophyte species P. kozlovii. The reaction to exogenously applied plant growth regulators, auxin and cytokinin, can be used in the different moss propagation phases of this species or for target structure production and development. Inference to the poorly known ecology of this species should also help in recent species records, and thus improve knowledge about its distribution and conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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14 pages, 4425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Host Tree and Geography Induce Metabolic Shifts in the Epiphytic Liverwort Radula complanata

by Kaitlyn L. Blatt-Janmaat, Steffen Neumann, Jörg Ziegler and Kristian Peters

Plants 2023, 12(3), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030571 - 27 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1168

Abstract

Bryophytes are prolific producers of unique, specialized metabolites that are not found in other plants. As many of these unique natural products are potentially interesting, for example, pharmacological use, variations in the production regarding ecological or environmental conditions have not often been investigated. [...] Read more.

Bryophytes are prolific producers of unique, specialized metabolites that are not found in other plants. As many of these unique natural products are potentially interesting, for example, pharmacological use, variations in the production regarding ecological or environmental conditions have not often been investigated. Here, we investigate metabolic shifts in the epiphytic Radula complanata L. (Dumort) with regard to different environmental conditions and the type of phorophyte (host tree). Plant material was harvested from three different locations in Sweden, Germany, and Canada and subjected to untargeted liquid chromatography high-resolution mass-spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS) and data-dependent acquisition (DDA-MS). Using multivariate statistics, variable selection methods, in silico compound identification, and compound classification, a large amount of variation (39%) in the metabolite profiles was attributed to the type of host tree and 25% to differences in environmental conditions. We identified 55 compounds to vary significantly depending on the host tree (36 on the family level) and 23 compounds to characterize R. complanata in different environments. Taken together, we found metabolic shifts mainly in primary metabolites that were associated with the drought response to different humidity levels. The metabolic shifts were highly specific to the host tree, including mostly specialized metabolites suggesting high levels of ecological interaction. As R. complanata is a widely distributed generalist species, we found it to flexibly adapt its metabolome according to different conditions. We found metabolic composition to also mirror the constitution of the habitat, which makes it interesting for conservation measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bryophyte Biology)

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