Enhanced sexual reproduction in bryophytes at high latitudes in the maritime Antarctic

Smith, R.I.L.; Convey, Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8497-9903. 2002 Enhanced sexual reproduction in bryophytes at high latitudes in the maritime Antarctic. Journal of Bryology, 24 (2). 107-117. 10.1179/037366802125000962

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Abstract/Summary

Contrary to the generally accepted hypothesis that bryophyte fertility decreases with increasing latitude and therefore climatic severity, a detailed study of bryophyte reproductive strategies at sites in the southern maritime Antarctic (68–72°S) has revealed that an unexpectedly high proportion of species is capable of producing sporophytes. Of the regional bryoflora, 43% (19 species; 17 mosses, 2 liverworts) in Marguerite Bay and 47% (17 species; 16 mosses, 1 liverwort) in Alexander Island are known to produce sporophytes, although the number fruiting at comparable latitudes on the colder and more arid Antarctic continent is less (33%). These numbers and proportions are much greater than were previously known at such relatively high southern polar latitudes. Sporophytes of several species are recorded for the first time within the Antarctic biome, while those of two liverworts (Lophozia excisa and Cephaloziella varians) are reported for the first time south of 62°S. High incidence of sporophyte production is attributed to locally favourable microclimatic conditions producing small-scale 'oases'. The large majority of fertile mosses are monoecious short acrocarps growing on rather calcareous soils. Spore production and size data for a number of species are compared with previously published studies of the same or closely related species from the northern maritime Antarctic and sub-Antarctic, but no consistent trends are revealed between species over the latitudinal gradient.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1179/037366802125000962
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds
ISSN:	0373-6687
Additional Keywords:	Bryophytes, Antarctic, sporophytes, sexual reproduction, spores, dispersal
NORA Subject Terms:	Botany
Date made live:	23 Mar 2012 11:55 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17442

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1179/037366802125000962

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds

ISSN:

0373-6687

Additional Keywords:

Bryophytes, Antarctic, sporophytes, sexual reproduction, spores, dispersal

NORA Subject Terms:

Botany