Ceratopteris Thalictroides Research Articles

Outcrossing mating system in natural populations of the endangered aquatic fern Ceratopteris thalictroides in China as revealed by microsatellite markers: implications for conservation

In this study, the mating system of the endangered aquatic fern Ceratopteris thalictroides in China was investigated using microsatellite markers. The estimates of the multilocus outcrossing rate (tm) and single-locus outcrossing rate (ts) were high at the species level (tm = 0.701 and ts = 0.595, respectively), indicating that C. thalictroides is a predominantly outcrossing species. Negative F (inbreeding coefficient of the maternal parents) values (-0.137) at the species level indicated an excess of heterozygotes and low inbreeding in the populations analyzed. Our investigation revealed that some of the natural and ex situ conservation populations of C. thalictroides have a prolific capacity for vegetative growth. The results showed that the homosporous pteridophyte C. thalictroides in China predominantly favors gametophytic crossing with a certain level of inbreeding along with vegetative growth. Ten populations have been established for ex situ conservation in Wuhan, China, with a survival rate of more than 90%, and mature spores were collected from them. Several factors, including high dispersal of spores and gametophytes by flowing water, high gene flow, and the wide distribution of the species in China, with the occurrence of some large populations, may have resulted in a high outcrossing rate in Chinese C. thalictroides. The high outcrossing rate of C. thalictroides showed that ex situ plantings are most suitable for enhancing possible mixing of the different populations, thus minimizing inbreeding.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging of sporopollenin: An alternative way to improve taxonomic level of identifying dispersed pollen and spores

Spores/pollen records abundant information of biodiversity, evolution, and climate condition. The exine of spores/pollen is mainly composed of sporopollenin, which is chemically stable over geological time. Morphological study of the exine is a classical method used in palynology. In this study, we developed a fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) method to investigate the numbers and lifetimes of fluorophores in sporopollenin. We used 20 pollen grains of each species to study sporopollenin FLIM. The sporopollenin was purified using the acetolysis method. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to study the autofluorescence of sporopollenin. The sporopollenin FLIM of pollen grains collected in different years/geographical populations showed no significant difference. Three fluorophores were estimated in the sporopollenin of all the tested plants, including angiosperms (Oryza sativa and Zea mays, Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana), gymnosperms (Cryptomeria fortune and Metasequoia glyptostroboides), ferns (Lygodium japonicum and Ceratopteris thalictroides), and lycophyte (Lycopodium clavatum). Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the lifetimes of fluorophores varied in different species, showing that FLIM provides additional information to distinguish spores/pollen. Further analysis showed significant differences in sporopollenin fluorescence lifetimes between morphologically similar pollen grains of cultivated crops and their wild relatives of the genera Oryza and Triticum. These results show that sporopollenin FLIM offers a new dimension of information on spores/pollen. This new technique has a big potential to fill a gap for traditional morphological comparison to identify dispersed fossil pollen and spores.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the water fern Ceratopteris thalictroides (Pteridaceae)

This work determined and analyzed the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ceratopteris thalictroides (Linnaeus) Brongniart 1822 (Pteridaceae). The results indicate that the total chloroplast genome size of C. thalictroides is 149,399 bp in length, and the genome contains a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,580 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 21,241 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 22,289 bp. The GC content of C. thalictroides is 36.7%. The genome encodes a total of 131 unique genes, including 82 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis results strongly suggest that C. thalictroides is closely related to C. cornuta.

Low Concentrations of Silver Nanoparticles Inhibit Spore Germination and Disturb Gender Differentiation of Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn

Because of their excellent antibacterial properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in all walks of life, which has caused them to be discharged into aquatic environments with possible negative effects on aquatic plants. In the present study, we used an aquatic fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides, as a model to investigate the effects of AgNPs on its spore germination, gametophytes, sex differentiation, and growth. The results demonstrated that AgNPs significantly inhibited spore germination of C. thalictroides at a AgNP concentration higher than 0.02 mg/L. Additionally, we found sex-dependent effects of AgNPs on the development and growth of the gametophyte of C. thalictroides. The proportion of hermaphrodites in the gametophytes and the area of gametophytes significantly decreased under AgNP treatment, while no significant effect was observed in the male gametophytes. Using the AgNP filtrate (without nanoparticles) and AgNPs plus cysteine (Ag+ chelator), we found that the release of Ag+ from nanoparticles was not the cause of the toxicity of AgNPs on C. thalictroides. The EC50 of AgNPs on spore germination was 0.0492 mg/L, thus indicating an ecological risk of AgNPs on this species even at concentrations lower than the Ag element concentration of the WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality.

Antibacterial Activity of Ceratopteris thalictroides: An Unexplored Wild Food

Ceratopteris thalictroides is an important pteridophyte having food and medicinal values. It is easily available near the coastal wetland and in lowland paddy fields. The local communities consume them as a leafy vegetable and it is also a food of herbivores. Therefore, an attempt has been made to gather the information and collect the plant from the coastal areas of Konark, Odisha, India. The survey was made in January 2021 and through Passport Data Form, the information was collected. Results revealed that plant species is used as food and to cure many diseases. The phytochemical screening indicated its medicinal potential. It was observed that antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Shigella flexneri was sound. The present study highlights an unexplored fern for future food and formulation of new drugs from it to fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Ceratopteris thalictroides (watersprite)

This datasheet on Ceratopteris thalictroides covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

Check-list of Pteridophytes from Gujarat State, Western India

Gujarat is the westernmost state of India and is known for varied climatic conditions starting from moist deciduous forest to pure desert conditions as in the Greater Rann of Kachchh. A major part of the geographical area of Gujarat is a semi-arid region with dry climatic conditions; but studies on pteridophyte diversity of Gujarat state have always been neglected by botanists. Consequently, the diversity of pteridophytes in the state was poorly represented with 12 genera and only 16 species reported in previous literature. The present investigation was carried out to document species diversity and to update the checklist of pteridophytes occurring in Gujarat state. A total of 50 naturally occurring species or subspecies representing 23 genera in 14 families were collected from different regions of the state. An additional 13 species cultivated in the University Botanical Garden or in homes and gardens have also been noted. Among the indigenous species, Aleuritopteris anceps, A. formosana, Ceratopteris thalictroides subsp. thalictroides, Ophioglossum indicum, O. lancifolium, O. lusoafricanum and O. petiolatum are reported as new distributional records for the state. The maximum diversity was observed in south Gujarat, followed by Central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region whereas less diversity was observed in the North and Kachchh regions. Results of our study are compared to findings made by earlier workers.

Extracts from dietary fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides enriched in alkaloids induce apoptosis and lead to tumor regression in mice without causing toxicity to normal cells

Extracts from dietary fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides enriched in alkaloids induce apoptosis and lead to tumor regression in mice without causing toxicity to normal cells

The diversity of pteridophytes in Siberut National Park, Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Mildawati, Sobir, Sulistijorini, Chikmawati T. 2020. The diversity of pteridophytes in Siberut National Park, Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3200-3208. The diversity of Pteridophytes in the Siberut National Park (Siberut NP) Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, is still very well preserved, but the information is limited. This research aimed to study the divesrity of Pteridophyte species in the Siberut NP in order to provide its taxonomic information using morphological data. The study consisted of exploration to collect plant specimens directly in the field, observation and identification of herbarium specimens in Herbarium Bogoriense and verification using online websites from various sources. A total of 69 species of Pteridophytes classified into 36 genera, and 20 families were recorded in the Siberut NP with Polypodiaceae has the most species diversity with 12 species of 6 genera. As many as 14 species are new records for Siberut Island, i.e. Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring (Selaginellaceae), Asplenium simile Blume (Aspleniaceae), Diplazium montanum V.A.V.R (Athyriaceae), Stenochlaena palustris (Burm) Bedd. (Gleichnaceae), Davallia solida (Forst.) Sw. (Davalliaceae), Callistopteris apiifolia (C.Presl) Copel., Crepidomanes humile Bosch (Hymenophyllaceae), Lindsaea carvifolia Kramer, Lindsaea doryphora Kramer, Lindsaea napaea Aldrew. (Lindsaeaceae), Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott (Nephrolepidaceae), Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn., Haplopteris ensiformis (Sw.) E.H.Crane and Syngramma alismifolia (Pr.) J.Sm. (Pteridaceae). The habitats of Pteridophytes found were mostly terrestrial and epiphytic (34 species each), while aquatic habitat was only found to one species. The results of this study will serve as baseline information of the plant diversity in the Siberut NP that can be used as the reference for future studies on Pteridophytes and to develop their conservation strategy in the region.

Proteomic analysis of gametophytic sex expression in the fern Ceratopteris thalictroides.

Ceratopteris thalictroides, a model fern, has two kinds of gametophytes with different sex expression: male and hermaphrodite. Hermaphroditic gametophytes have one or several archegonia beneath the growing point and a few antheridia at the base or margin. Male gametophytes show a spoon-like shape with much longer than the width and produce many antheridia at the margin and surface. The results of chlorophyll fluorescence detection showed that the photochemical efficiency of hermaphrodites was higher than that of males. By using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, the differentially abundant proteins in hermaphroditic and male gametophytes were identified. A total of 1136 ± 55 protein spots were detected in Coomassie-stained gels of proteins from hermaphroditic gametophytes, and 1130 ± 65 spots were detected in gels of proteins from male gametophytes. After annotation, 33 spots representing differentially abundant proteins were identified. Among these, proteins involved in photosynthesis and chaperone proteins were over-represented in hermaphrodites, whereas several proteins involved in metabolism were increased in male gametophytes in order to maintain their development under relatively nutritionally deficient conditions. Furthermore, the differentially abundant cytoskeletal proteins detected in this study, such as centrin and actin, may be involved in the formation of sexual organs and are directly related to sex expression. These differentially abundant proteins are important for maintaining the development of gametophytes of different sexes in C. thalictroides.

Influence of abiotic factors on the composition and abundance of aquatic ferns occurring in the state of Paraíba, Brazil

Aquatic ecosystems are influenced by water quality and the surrounding environment, and changes to such ecosystems exert an effect on species. The aim of the present study was to relate the composition/abundance of species of aquatic ferns to both abiotic factors of water quality (total phosphorus and chlorophyll a) and the characteristics of the surrounding environment (rural, urban and vegetation). We analyzed 53 aquatic ecosystems in the state of Paraiba with lentic characteristics, considering total phosphorus and chlorophyll a as well as the classification of land use and occupation in the surrounding areas. We recorded nine species of aquatic ferns, which demonstrated a preference for environments with good water quality (low concentration of chlorophyll a) as well as sensitivity to rural and urban activities. The individual analysis of the species revealed that abiotic factors exerted an influence on the occurrence and abundance of the species. Cyclosorus interruptus (Willd.) H. Ito proved to be resistant to impacted environments, whereas Marsilea sp. and Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn proved to be bioindicators of water quality. Our study revealed species considered bioindicators of good water quality and identified changes in the composition/abundance of the species in relation to different land uses.

Genetic landscape and landscape connectivity of Ceratopteris thalictroides, an endangered aquatic fern

Global climate change will have great impacts on ecosystems with high biodiversity and landscape connectivity. Here, we employ species distribution models (SDMs) and geospatial analyses to predict future changes in C. thalictroides distribution under the future climate change based on Community Climate System Model (CCSM4). We predict the ranges of C. thalictroides will contract about 11,523 km2 from the present to the year 2080. The changes in species distribution present a main range contraction in high latitude regions. We map the patterns of genetic divergence and diversity using the Genetic Landscape GIS Toolbox in ArcGIS v10.2. By visualizing dispersal networks in SDMtoolbox v 1.1, we predict a major decrease in connectivity will occur between YD (Yingde) and NP (Nanping) population. Populations with high diversity and divergence regions were considered to be evolutionary hotspots. Therefore, we suggest the populations CZ(Chengzhou), YD(Yingde), HP(Hepu), SY(Sanya), DH(Dinghu) and NP(Nanping) are in need of protection, concluding that strategically maintained ecological connectivity must be a key component of conservation strategies for C. thalictroides. We believe the creation of genetic landscape based on genetic datasets and connectivity assessment in relation to climate change will provide increasingly useful information and new implications for prioritizing the conservation of the endangered species.

Dating Whole Genome Duplication in Ceratopteris thalictroides and Potential Adaptive Values of Retained Gene Duplicates.

Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) are widespread in plants and frequently coincide with global climatic change events, such as the Cretaceous–Tertiary (KT) extinction event approximately 65 million years ago (mya). Ferns have larger genomes and higher chromosome numbers than seed plants, which likely resulted from multiple rounds of polyploidy. Here, we use diploid and triploid material from a model fern species, Ceratopteris thalictroides, for the detection of WGDs. High-quality RNA-seq data was used to infer the number of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site (Ks) between paralogs; Ks age distribution and absolute dating approach were used to determine the age of WGD events. Evidence of an ancient WGD event with a Ks peak value of approximately 1.2 was obtained for both samples; however, the Ks frequency distributions varied significantly. Importantly, we dated the WGD event at 51–53 mya, which coincides with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), when the Earth became warmer and wetter than any other period during the Cenozoic. Duplicate genes were preferentially retained for specific functions, such as environment response, further support that the duplicates may have promoted quick adaption to environmental changes and potentially resulted in evolutionary success, especially for pantropical species, such as C. thalictroides, which exhibits higher temperature tolerance.

Potencial de plantas acuáticas para la remoción de coliformes totales y Escherichia coli en aguas negras

El objetivo de la investigación fue encontrar plantas acuáticas con potencial de remover E. coli y coliformes totales de agua contaminada. Para ello, se realizaron muestreos en Río Guayas, Recinto Aguas Frías y Estero Peñafiel, donde se seleccionaron las especies: Azolla caroliniana, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia auriculata y Lemna minor (Control positivo). Las plantas se reprodujeron in vitro y se realizaron bioensayos para verificar su capacidad de remover E. coli y coliformes. Los ensayos se realizaron por triplicado en 0,5 L de agua con fertilizante y se inoculó una cepa de referencia E. coli ATCC25922. Como control negativo se inoculó la bacteria sin plantas y control positivo con la planta Lemna sp. Después de 7 días se determinó la carga bacteriana remanente. Se encontró un porcentaje de eliminación de E. coli de 99% para A. caroliniana, E. crassipes y Lemna sp. y de 100% para P. stratiotes y S. auriculata. Posteriormente, se realizaron ensayos con aguas negras en los cuales S. auriculata y A. caroliniana lograron el 100% de remoción de las coliformes y E. coli el resto de plantas tuvieron niveles menores de eficiencia. Se propone el uso de estas especies para el tratamiento de aguas contaminadas.

New polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered fern Ceratopteris thalictroides (Parkeriaceae)

Ceratopteris thalictroides is a semi-aquatic fern with a circumtropical distribution. Because this species is designated internationally on the IUCN Red List as requiring at least some concern, Korean populations are of great concern for the species’ long-term survival, as they are at the northern limit of the species distribution. To establish an effective conservation strategy for those populations at the genetic level, we used the Mi-Seq platform to develop three sets of 25 polymorphic microsatellite markers for C. thalictroides, which is endangered in Korea. In populations sampled from Busan and Gochang, the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 13 (average of 5.64), and plants presented an expected heterozygosity of 0.000 to 0.860. These markers will be useful for evaluating the genetic status and conserving Korean populations of C. thalictroides more effectively.

Impacts of Indian waterfern (Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn.) infestation and removal on macroinvertebrate biodiversity and conservation in spring‐fed streams in the Australian arid zone

Abstract Removal of invasive macrophytes is a priority for river managers. However, the ecological effects of macrophyte removal on macroinvertebrate diversity are rarely examined but may be of particular significance in conservation reserves and when threatened species are present. This study investigated the macroinvertebrate fauna inhabiting invasive and native macrophytes in spring‐fed channels in the Millstream‐Chichester National Park, Australia. The effects of waterfern management (periodic hand‐weeding) were examined by comparing assemblages at weeded and unweeded reaches on three occasions. Ceratopteris thalictroides harboured a diverse, insect‐dominated macroinvertebrate assemblage, including the endangered damselfly Nososticta pilbara. Total taxon richness was similar between waterfern and native macrophytes, but macroinvertebrate assemblages differed in the dry season. Damselflies (including N. pilbara) were associated with waterfern‐dominated reaches, whereas dragonfly nymphs were more common among native macrophytes. Weeding altered macroinvertebrate assemblage composition. Some weeded reaches developed assemblages indistinguishable from those in native‐dominated reaches, but others did not. Weeded reaches often supported taxa that were rare or absent from waterfern‐dominated reaches, including suspension feeders, found also in native‐dominated reaches. Odonata are particularly diverse at Millstream, with 18 species recorded. Odonate species richness was significantly lower at weeded reaches than unweeded reaches. Nososticta pilbara and other short‐range endemic species were absent from weeded reaches. As most odonates are univoltine, these adverse effects on local population size may affect species persistence. Invasive macrophyte species may support a high diversity of native invertebrates, including endangered and short‐range endemic species. Furthermore, although hand‐weeding appeared to enable a greater diversity of species to co‐exist, the removal of a large biomass of macrophytes appeared to remove whole cohorts of insect populations from stream reaches, including endangered species. Removal of invasive macrophytes should not be implemented without understanding their effects on invertebrate assemblage composition and life‐cycles.

Spore morphology of the representatives of the subfamily Ceratopteridoideae (J. Sm.) R.M. Tryon from the family Pteridaceae E.D.M. Kirchn. (Pteridophyta)

<p>Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to perform a comparative study for four representatives of the subfamily <em>Ceratopteridoideae</em> (J. Sm.) R.M. Tryon from East Asia: <em>Ceratopteris thalictroides</em> Brongn., <em>C. pteridoides</em> (Hook.) Hieron., <em>Acrostichum aureum</em> Linn., and <em>A.</em> <em>speciosum </em>Willd. The analysis of the external morphology of the representatives of <em>Ceratopteridoideae</em> revealed a strong difference between <em>Ceratopteris</em> and <em>Acrostichum</em>.</p><p>The external morphology of spores of <em>Ceratopteris</em> and <em>Acrostichum</em> exhibited the features characterizing the family Pteridaceae as a whole: tetrahedral spores with a three-ray laesure, from triangular-roundish to roundish, distinct exosporium with a pronounced surface ornamentation and absence of perisporium, the exosporium surface varying from smooth and rough to that covered with large tubercles and roller-like bulges.</p><p>The external morphology of spores of <em>Acrostichum</em> is quite simple, although among other representatives of the family Pteridaceae,<em> </em>the<em> </em>spores of <em>Ceratopteris</em> have distinctive features: very large equatorial diameter (106–124 µm); spores are almost roundish; distinct cylindrical folds running parallel to the corners of the spore across its extensive distal surface.</p><p> </p>

Detection of chlorophylls in spores of seven ferns.

Fern spores were traditionally classified into chlorophyllous (green) and nonchlorophyllous (nongreen) types based on the color visible to the naked eye. Recently, a third type, "cryptochlorophyllous spores", is recognized, and these spores are nongreen under white light but contain chlorophylls. Epifluorescence microscopy was previously used to detect chlorophylls in cryptochlorophyllous spores. In addition to epifluorescence microscopy, current study performed some other approaches, including spore-squash epifluorescence, absorption spectra, laser-induced fluorescence emission spectra, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection (UHPLC-UV-MS) in order to detect chlorophylls of spores of seven ferns (Sphaeropteris lepifera, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Leptochilus wrightii, Leptochilus pothifolius, Lepidomicrosorum buergerianum, Osmunda banksiifolia, and Platycerium grande). Destructive methods, such as TLC and UHPLC-UV-MS, successfully detected chlorophylls inside the spores when their signals of red fluorescence under epifluorescence microscope were masked by spore wall. Although UHPLC-UV-MS analysis was the most sensitive and reliable for determining the chlorophylls of spores, spore-squash epifluorescence is not only reliable but also cost- and time-effective one among our study methods. In addition, we first confirmed that Lepidomicrosorium buergerianum, Leptochilus pothifolius, Leptochilus wrightii, and Platycerium grande, produce cryptochlorophyllous spores.

The Pteridophytes of Adams, Northern Luzon, Philippines and their Ecosystem Services

The Philippines has approximately 1,100 species of lycophytes and ferns, and this represents approximately 9% of the worldwide fern flora. Botanical explorations and local documentations continue to expand the list. Local documentations increase our knowledge on species distribution and conservation status, which are essential in biodiversity conservation. This paper reports on a survey of the pteridophytes of Adams, Ilocos Norte, one of the remaining floristic sites in Luzon Island, Philippines. A series of floristic surveys conducted at selected sites in Adams recorded and vouchered 47 species, 34 genera and 21 families of pteridophytes. Among all these pteridophytes, six are threatened Philippine plant species. These are Platycerium coronarium, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Tectaria psomiocarpa, Psilotum nudum, Blechnum egregium, and Angiopteris evecta. This study contributes to the baseline data on Philippine pteridophytes especially on their distribution, and can serve as reference for biodiversity conservation and restoration efforts as ferns may help in the stabilization of degraded lands and facilitation in plant communities.

Transcriptome analyses provide insights into the phylogeny and adaptive evolution of the mangrove fern genus Acrostichum.

The mangrove fern genus Acrostichum grows in the extremely unstable marine intertidal zone under harsh conditions, such as high salt concentrations, tidal rhythms and long-term climate changes. To explore the phylogenetic relationships and molecular mechanisms underlying adaptations in this genus, we sequenced the transcriptomes of two species of Acrostichum, A. aureum and A. speciosum, as well as a species in the sister genus, Ceratopteris thalictroides. We obtained 47,517, 36,420 and 60,823 unigenes for the three ferns, of which 24.39–45.63% were annotated using public databases. The estimated divergence time revealed that Acrostichum adapted to the coastal region during the late Cretaceous, whereas the two mangrove ferns from the Indo West-Pacific (IWP) area diverged more recently. Two methods (the modified branch-site model and the Kh method) were used to identify several positively selected genes, which may contribute to differential adaptation of the two Acrostichum species to different light and salt conditions. Our study provides abundant transcriptome data and new insights into the evolution and adaptations of mangrove ferns in the inhospitable intertidal zone.