Seasonality of reproduction of epiphytic bryophytes in flooded forests from the Caxiuanã National Forest, Eastern Amazon.

Gabriela R Cerqueira,Leandro V Ferreira,Anna Luiza Ilkiu-Borges

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201620150274

Gabriela R Cerqueira, Leandro V Ferreira + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201620150274

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Abstract

This work aimed to recognize the reproductive biology of the epiphytic bryoflora of phorophytes of Virola surinamensis (Rol. ex. Rottb.) Warb. in várzea and igapó forests in the Caxiuanã National Forest, to answer the following question: The reproductive period of the bryophyte species is influenced by the environment due the climatic seasonality present in flooded forests, being higher the occurrence of the sexual and asexual reproduction in the rainiest months? The bryophytes were identified and analyzed for the type of reproduction, sexual system and reproductive structures. In total, 502 samples of bryophytes were analyzed, resulting in 54 species, of which 34 were fertile. The comparison of the fertility of the species in different environmental conditions (dry or rainy, and igapó or várzea forest) was assessed using the chi-square test. The fertility of the seven studied species could not be defined by a pattern, considering the forest type and the seasonality. However, two species were associated to the forest type and two further species to the seasonality, showing that, for some bryophyte species, invest in constant fertility may be favoring the maintenance of their populations in tropical forests.

Highlights

The studies on the reproductive periods of plants are crucial to understand the success of the populations, since these events will ensure the survival and the establishment of young individuals (Ferraz et al 1999)
It is believed that the organisms can increase their ability, maximizing fecundity rates and enlarging their survival chances in different environments, and for this, life strategies
The relation between the growth events through a time period and the reproduction in the life cycle of a species is the study object of the phenology (Rathcke and Lacey 1985). The seasonality of these events and the existence of different phases characterize the phenological studies (Rathcke and Lacey 1985, Stark 2002, Glime 2007). The understanding of these phases is critical to interpret the aspects of the reproductive ecology, as well

Summary

Introduction

The studies on the reproductive periods of plants are crucial to understand the success of the populations, since these events will ensure the survival and the establishment of young individuals (Ferraz et al 1999). The relation between the growth events through a time period and the reproduction in the life cycle of a species is the study object of the phenology (Rathcke and Lacey 1985). The seasonality of these events and the existence of different phases characterize the phenological studies (Rathcke and Lacey 1985, Stark 2002, Glime 2007). The understanding of these phases is critical to interpret the aspects of the reproductive ecology, as well. FERREIRA as the characteristics related to the production of spores and propagules, and the longevity of individuals of a species (During 1979, Stark 2002)

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