In vitro culture and apogamy: Alternative pathway in the life cycle of the moss Amblystegium serpens (Amblystegiaceae)

In vitro culture of the moss Amblystegium serpens (Amblystegiaceae) was established on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium that contained a half amount of MS micro- and macro- mineral salts and vitamins, 100 mg/l myoinositol, 30 g/l sucrose, and 0.70% (w/v) agar. Spores were germinated and primary protonema developed on the above medium at 16 h day/8 h night 25±2ºC, 60-70% air humidity, and irradiance of 47 μmol/m2s. Three months after development of primary protonema, seven sporophytes appeared directly from primary protonema without generation alternation. The phenomenon of apogamous sporophyte formation is very rare, both in nature and under in vitro conditions. This is the first report of apogamy induced by Amblystegium serpens

Bryophytes and heavy metals: a review

Bryophytes, a group of terrestrial plants widely used in biomonitoring, are reviewed for their relation to heavy metals. In the present article, we summarized the knowledge on heavy metals pollution and accumulation effects on bryophytes. Mechanisms of tolerance and resistance are given as well

An eco-physiological and biotechnological approach to conservation of the world-wide rare and endangered aquatic liverwort Riella helicophylla (Bory et Mont.) Mont.

The rare aquatic liverwort Riella helicophylla (Bory et Mont.) Mont., inhabitant of temporary shallow ponds around the Mediterranean basin, is considered threatened throughout its distribution range. In addition, little is known of its biology and ecology or of its role in such an important ecosystem where environmental conditions vary yearly in unpredictable ways. In these variable habitats, due to the seasonal fluctuation of water levels, there is no guarantee of yearly spore input into the spore bank. Spore germination rate and the effects of different culture media in an axenic culture establishment, as well as propagation procedures of R. helicophylla, were tested. New insights into the ecology and biology of R. helicophylla are given. Spore dormancy is documented, and the protocols for the in vitro culture establishment, propagation and acclimatization of this liverwort are developed. Dry storage at 20 ± 2 °C for about three months broke the dormancy of spores, which subsequently germinated in a high percentage (over 90%). A two phase (solid and liquid) culture media system was developed for the purpose of achieving fully developed gametophytes. The liquid phase contained electrolytes simulating brackish water

New bryophyte taxa for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a long history of bryophyte flora research. However, it is still considered insufficiently investigated, and until recently the bryophyte investigations were completely neglected. Hence new records for the country are expected with novel exploration. Here, we report one liverwort (Porella obtusata) and four moss species (Bryum klinggraeffii, Cinclidotus danubicus, Habrodon perpusillus and Imbribryum subapiculatum) new for the country bryophyte flora. With these new records bryoflora of Bosnia and Herzegovina numbers 673 taxa (no hornworts, 134 liverworts and 539 mosses)

Bryophyte diversity hotspot: the Marmore Waterfalls Regional Park (Umbria, central Italy)

A study of the bryophyte of Marmore Waterfall Natural Park a very peculiar territory for its geological, biogeographical and bioclimatic traits, was carried out. The reported data were collected in the valley area of ‘Parco Fluviale del Nera’ Regional Park, where the waters are flowing and the humidity of the rocks is oozing. Research led to the identification of 101 taxa of bryophytes (21 liverworts and 80 mosses), among which two liverwort and 10 moss species are new records for the Umbria region, while four are confirmed. The study offers new outcomes on neglected aspects of the flora of central Italy and represents a considerable improvement of the floristic, biogeographical and ecological understanding of its bryophytic component. Additionally, the area turn out to be significant from the conservation point of view both nationally and internationally considering that it harbours high diversity of bryophytes species among which many rare, threatened and interesting species occur. Eighteen species of conservation interest in Italy are recorded during the latest investigation (all in category NT – near threatened). Additionally two species that are considered data deficient in Italy are present in the researched area (Conocephalum salebrosum and Fissidens curvatus). Also, there is a small populations of a species vulnerable (Marchantia paleacea), endangered (Bryum calophyllum) and data deficient (Fissidens curvatus and Barbula bolleana) in European scale

Biogeographic traits of the bryophyte flora of Serbia

The biogeography of bryophytes present in Serbia is analysed for the first time in this paper. Bryophyte spectra in different regions and units within the country are compared with each other, as well as with the Southeast European spectrum. The obtained results show similarities and differences in comparison with Southeast European bryophyte spectra, reveal certain biogeographical peculiarities of Serbias bryophytes and indicate regions of the country with an under-recorded bryoflora. The biogeographical characteristics of bryophytes also suggest a strong overlap with local climate types. These results should be taken into consideration when preparing a national strategy for conservation and management of bryophyte diversity

Contribution to the bryophyte flora of Antarctica: the James Ross Island moss inventory and the new records

The interest in distribution of bryophytes in Antarctica has increased in view of global climate warming and its effects in Antarctica. The moss flora of Antarctica is relatively rich, since only a small area (up to 1%) of this continent is not covered by ice. An immense space remains completely bryologically under-recorded. In this paper, we present a comprehensive moss list of James Ross Island (37 moss species). Two newly-recorded species are reported in our study: Bryum dichotomum and B. pallescens

Bryophyte extracts suppress growth of the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea

In this study, the extracts of three selected bryophyte species are shown to have inhibitory effects on grey mould disease (Botrytis cinerea). Methanol extracts of one leafy liverwort (Porella platyphylla) and two mosses, one aquatic (Cinclidotus fontinaloides) and one terrestrial (Anomodon viticulosus), were applied in vitro to Botrytis cinerea, after which tests showed suppression of fungal development

Effect of ABA treatment on activities of antioxidative enzymes in selected bryophyte species

The effect of the signal molecule and stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) on activities of antioxidant enzymes was tested in three bryophyte species, viz., the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the phylogenetically unrelated mosses Physcomitrella patens and Atrichum undulatum. Production of reactive oxygen species increases in plants exposed to both abiotic and biotic stress. Antioxidant enzymes are very effective and usually represent the plant's first line of defence against the cytotoxic effects of these reactive oxygen species. The activities of enzymes of the antioxidative system (POX, CAT, SOD) in the tested bryophyte species are shown to be increased by treatment with lower concentrations of exogenous ABA. Higher concentrations of exogenous ABA did not significantly influence activities of the tested antioxidative enzymes. The obtained results point to possible involvement of ABA as a signal molecule in the first line of defence against stress in all three bryophyte species.Botanica Serbica (2017), 41(1): 11-1