Didymochlaena Research Articles

Ferns of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Didymochlaenaceae and Dryopteridaceae

Abstract We present a taxonomic treatment for the species of Didymochlaenaceae and Dryopteridaceae occurring in the region of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This study was based on 50 herbarium gatherings from IAN, K, NY, PACA, RB, SP, UPCB, US, and VIC. Didymochlaenaceae is represented by a single species, Didymochlaena truncatula, whereas Dryopteridaceae has 11 infrageneric taxa in seven genera: Ctenitis (four taxa, including two varieties), Megalastrum (two species), Mickelia, Parapolystichum, Polybotrya, Rumohra, and Stigmatopteris (one species each). Among the 12 infrageneric taxa here recognized, seven are endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Ctenitis distans var. isabellina, Megalastrum connexum, and Polybotrya speciosa are here reported for the first time in Viçosa. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, geographical distribution, and comments are presented to all taxa.

Inventarisasi Tumbuhan Paku di Jalur Ciwalen Taman Nasional Gunung Gede Pangrango Jawa Barat

After being observed as a whole, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park has a high diversity of Ferns. This research aims to describe Ferns in the Ciwalen Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, so it is hopefully could describe the diversity of ferns in that path. The Inventory of ferns is done by using exploration method with random sampling technique which then identified with General Key to Malayan Fern referral. The results of this research showed that there are ten types of ferns that have been founded in the Ciwalen Gunung Gede Panggrango National Park, such as Sphaerostephanos sp., Asplenium truncata, Nephrolepis davallioides, Botrychium daucifolium, Selaginella opaca, Huperzia phlegmaria, Equisetum ramosissimum, Didymochlaena truncatula, Hymenophyllum sp., and Diplazium poliferum. Features any distinctive Ferns can be seen from the form such as rhizome, type of frond, an accessory, the sorus, habitats that were found, and others.

Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXXIV. Didymochlaenaceae

We provide a synopsis to the family Didymochlaenaceae in Bolivia, comprising the single pantropical species, Didymochlaena truncatula.

Phenological studies of selected leaf and plant traits ofDidymochlaena truncatula(Dryopteridaceae) in a Brazilian submontane tropical rainforest

The phenology of the herbaceous fernDidymochlaena truncatulain a Brazilian submontane tropical rainforest is described. A total of 23 individuals were observed over 18 months (May 2012 to October 2013). The number of live leaves, leaf production, leaf mortality, leaf growth, and fertility were recorded monthly and correlated with local rainfall and temperature. TheD. truncatulaplants remained evergreen with a monthly mean of 6.49 ± 0.75 leaves that were produced almost continuously at a rate of 6.13 ± 1.46 leaves plant−1year−1. This rate was higher than the leaf mortality rate, which was 4.61 ± 1.27 leaves plant−1year−1. Monthly leaf growth of the population was correlated with rainfall. Leaf expansion was fastest in the first month after emergence (1.31 ± 1.03 cm day−1). Fertility and leaf production intensity were not correlated with climate factors or seasonal variations. However, leaf mortality was negatively correlated with rainfall, causing variations in the number of leaves throughout the year. These results show that the phenological rhythms ofD. truncatulawere not equally influenced by climate variations. The phenology ofD. truncatulacorresponds to the phenology of a small number of aseasonal tropical ferns.

Chemical analysis, antioxidant, antichemotactic and monoamine oxidase inhibition effects of some pteridophytes from Brazil.

Background:Ferns are a group of plants that have been little explored from a chemical and biological perspective but that have interesting potential, occurring in various parts of the world.Objective:This work investigates the chemical profile and the biological effects of ferns from Brazil.Materials and Methods:Analyses were performed using rapid performance liquid chromatography (RP-LC) with a diode array detector (DAD). Extracts were tested for their in vitro antioxidant activity, by the total reactive antioxidant potential method and for their antichemotactic potential, by the Boyden chamber method. Cytotoxic effects were assessed by lactate dehydrogenase levels, while the monoamine oxidase (MAO) assay was carried out using a fluorescence-based method.Results:Different chemical compositions were found for the studied ferns, such as Asplenium gastonis, in which hesperidin was identified in its extract, while A. serra showed the presence of xanthone mangiferin. The most samples with highest antioxidant activity were the Asplenium serra, Lastreopsis amplissima and Cyathea dichromatolepis extracts, at 10 μg/mL. High antichemotactic activity was found for A. serra (94.06%) and Didymochlaena truncatula (93.41%), at 10 μg/mL. The extracts showed no cytotoxicity at the highest concentration. Against MAO-A, D. truncatula (82.61%), Alsophila setosa (82.21%), Cyathea phalerata (74.07%) and C. delgadii (70.32%) were the most active extracts (100 μg/mL).Conclusion:The hypothesis was considered that phenolics and triterpenes are responsible for these pronounced activities.

Dryopteridaceae (Polypodiopsida) no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil

A taxonomic survey of Dryopteridaceae Herter (Polypodiopsida) was carried out in the state of Minas Gerais as a contribution to the knowledge of the state fern flora. This study was based on personal collections, field observations and material deposited in the Brazilian herbaria. Based on morphology, nine genera and 20 species were recognized: Arachniodes denticulata (Sw.) Ching, Cyclodium heterodon (Schrad.) T. Moore, C. meniscioides (Willd.) C. Presl, Didymochlaena truncatula (Sw.) J. Sm., Dryopteris patula (Sw.) Underw., D. wallichiana (Spreng.) Hyl., Olfersia cervina (L.) Kunze, Polybotrya cylindrica Kaulf., P. goyazensis Brade, P. speciosa Schott, P. sorbifolia Kuhn , Polystichum bradei Rosenst., P. montevidense (Spreng.) Rosenst., P. platyphyllum (Willd.) C. Presl, P. rochaleanum Glaz. ex Fée, Rumohra adiantiformis (G. Forst.) Ching, Stigmatopteris brevinervis (Fée) R.C. Moran, S. caudata (Raddi) C. Chr., S. prionites (Kunze) C. Chr. e S. tyucana (Raddi) C. Chr. Descriptions of the family, genera and species, as well as identification keys, illustrations, geographical distribution, and comments on genera and species are provided.

Cytotoxic and Other Compounds from Didymochlaena truncatula from the Madagascar Rain Forest

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOH extracts obtained from a plant identified as Didymochlaena truncatula led to the isolation of two cytotoxic alkaloids, camptothecin and 9-methoxycamptothecin. A second plant collection yielded three lignan derivatives, didymochlaenone A (1), didymochlaenone B (2), and (-)-wikstromol, one stilbene, (E)-3-methoxy-5-hydroxystilbene, and two stigmasterol derivatives, stigmast-4-en-3beta-ol and stigmast-4-en-3-one, but no camptothecins, and it is probable that a coding error led to a mistaken identification of the original extract. The structures of the new compounds 1 and 2 were established on the basis of extensive interpretation of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data.

Characteristics of Arsenic Accumulation by Pteris and non-Pteris Ferns

This research was conducted to understand the mechanisms of arsenic hyperaccumulation in Pteris vittata by comparing the characteristics of arsenic accumulation in Pteris and non-Pteris ferns. Seven Pteris (P.vittata, P. Cretica Rowerii, P. Cretica Parkerii, P. Cretica Albo-lineata, P. Quadriavrita, P. Ensiformis and P. Dentata) and six non-Pteris (Arachnoides simplicor, Didymochlaena truncatula, Dryopteris atrata, Dryopteris erythrosora, Cyrtomium falcatum, and Adiantum hispidulum) ferns were exposed to 0, 1 and 10 mgL−1 arsenic as sodium arsenate for 14-d in hydroponic systems. As a group, the Pteris ferns were more efficient in arsenic accumulation than the non-Pteris ferns, with P. vittata being the most efficient followed by P. cretica. When exposed to 10 mg L−1 As, arsenic concentrations in the fronds and roots of P. vittata were 1748 and 503 mg kg−1. Though not all Pteris ferns were efficient in accumulating arsenic, none of the non-Pteris ferns was an efficient As accumulator (the highest concentration being 452 mg kg−1). The fact that frond arsenic concentrations in the control were highly correlated with those exposed to As (r 2 = 0.76–0.87) may suggest that they may be used as a preliminary tool to screen potential arsenic hyperaccumulators. Our research confirms that the ability of P. vittata to translocate arsenic from the roots to the fronds (73–77% As in the fronds), reduce arsenate to arsenite in the fronds (>50% AsIII in the fronds), and maintain high concentrations of phosphate in the roots (48–53% in the roots) all contributed to its arsenic tolerance and hyperaccumulation.

UPTAKE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SELENIUM IN DIFFERENT FERN SPECIES

There has been an interest in using hyperaccumulating plants for the removal of heavy metals and metalloids. High selenium (Se) concentrations in the environment are detrimental to animals, humans, and sustainable agriculture, yet selenium is also an essential nutrient for humans. This experiment was conducted to screen fern plants for their potential to accumulate selenium. Eleven fern species, Pteris vittata, P. quadriaurita, P. dentata, P. ensiformis, P. cretica, Dryopteris erythrosora, Didymochlaena truncatula, Adiantum hispidulum, Actiniopteris radiata, Davallia griffithiana, and Cyrtomium fulcatum, were grown under hydroponic conditions for one week at 20 mg L− 1 selenate or selenite. Root Se concentrations reached 245–731 and 516–1082 mg kg− 1 when treated with selenate and selenite, respectively. The corresponding numbers in the fronds were 153–745 and 74-1,028 mg kg− 1 with no visible toxicity symptoms. Only three fern species were able to accumulate more Se in the fronds than the roots, which were D. griffithiana when treated with selenate, P. vittata when treated with selenite, andA. radiata regardless of the forms of Se. A. radiata was the best species overall for Se accumulation. More research is needed to further determine the potential of the fern species identified in this study for phytoremediation of the Se contaminated soils and water.

Comparative Research of Gametophytes ofOlfersia alataandOlfersia cervina(Dryopteridaceae)

The prothallial development of gametophytes of Olfersia alata and Olfersia cervina (Dryopteridaceae) is described and compared. Spores are monolete, ellipsoid, and with broadly winged perispore. Germination is Vittaria-type and the prothallial development is Aspidium- type. Adult gametophytes are cordiform-spatulate to cordiform-reniform, with marginal and superficial trichomes. Gametangia are of the type commonly found on leptosporangiate homo- sporous ferns. Differences between the two species of genus include size of the spores, width of the perispore, germination time, size of the trichomes, and time of formation of the gametangia. These two species share some features with some species of Arachniodes, Cyrtomium, Dryopte- ris, Phanerophlebia, and Polystichum, such as type of germination and prothallial development and trichomes. They differ from Didymochlaena truncatula, which has prothallial development of the Adiantum-type and lacks trichomes on the sexual phase. The genus Olfersia Raddi (Dryopteridaceae), has two species: Olfersia alata C. Sanchez & Garco´a Caluff and Olfersia cervina (L.) Kunze. Olfersia alata is endemic to Cuba; its main characteristics are all sterile pinnae have decurrent bases, and fertile leaves which are smaller and have fewer pinna pairs than the vegetative leaves. It grows in mountainous mesophytic forests, between 350-400 m (Sanchez et al., 1991). Olfersia cervina is widely distrib- uted in the tropics, from Southern Mexico (Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz), to Southeastern Brazil and the West Indies. In this species the bases of the ster- ile pinnae are not decurrent onto the rachis, and pinnae are short-petiolu- late. It grows between 450-1000 m in damp tropical forests, on rocky and very shady banks (Moran, 1986, 1995; Riba and Perez-Garco´a, 1999). Both taxa are usually terrestrial, rarely hemiepiphytic, with a short trailing rhi- zome. Leaves are markedly dimorphic, sori are exindusiate and linear to ob- long, and spores are monolete, echinulate with a broad perispore. This paper complements existing information about the morphogenesis of the gametophytic phase of dryopteriod ferns and, particulary, focuses on gametophytes of Olfersia. We hope to contribute in this way to the knowledge of the sexual phase of Mexican ferns.