Nest Fern Research Articles

Load-responsive bionic kirigami structures for high-efficient fog harvesting

Harvesting fog is a charming approach to alleviating the global water shortage crisis. However, it is extremely challenging to design fog collectors with high efficiency due to the scarce geometric driving structures. Herein, we develop a 3D kirigami structure inspired by the new corrugated driving structures in the Bird's Nest Fern, which can be fabricated by simple shearing and stretching. Its water collection ratio increases with the external load, forming the unique load responsiveness. The kirigami structure owns a 3D array configuration to enhance flow velocity for the efficient droplet condensation rate and has geometric and wetting gradients to transport condensate droplets spontaneously and quickly, contributing to a high water collection efficiency. The water collection ratio can reach 3.45 times that of a pure iron sheet by only changing the geometric structure, and the highest ratio can even reach 4.58 times with the assistance of wetting gradients.

Effect of NaH2PO4 on differentiation of in vitro propagated bird nest fern (Asplenium nidus L.)

Effect of NaH2PO4 on differentiation of in vitro propagated bird nest fern (Asplenium nidus L.)

Aktivitas Antibakteri dan Analisis Fitokimia Ekstrak Metanol dari Daun Paku Sarang Burung (Asplenium nidus)

Infectious diseases caused by microbes are increasing; the growth of microbes can be inhibited by using antibiotics. Continuous and inappropriate use of antibiotics causes microbes to become resistant. The resistance can be reduced by finding new sources of antibiotics, one of which is from the bird nest fern (Asplenium nidus). This study aimed to determine the potency and concentration of A. Nidus extract in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442, and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 19659. The extract was prepared using the maceration method with methanol as the solvent. Phytochemical tests include alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, phenolics, tannins, and quinones. The minimum inhibitory concentration test was carried out on 12 treatments with three replications; the antimicrobial effectiveness test was carried out on seven treatments with five replications using the disc diffusion method. Phytochemical test results showed A. Nidus contains flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolics. A. nidus extract has the potential to inhibit the growth of the testing pathogenic bacteria, with the most effective concentration on P. aeruginosa of 45% with an inhibitory zone was about 14,16 mm, on E. Coli started of 55% with an inhibitory zone was about 13,68 mm, on B. Subtilis of 65% with an inhibitory zone was about 14,80 mm and S. aureus was 75% with an inhibitory zone of 11,96 mm.
 
 Keywords: antibiotics, Asplenium nidus, Infectious disease

Pathogenicity of Aphelenchoides Pseudogoodeyi on the Ornamental Plants Asplenium Nidus and Lilium Speciosum in Brazil.

SummaryAphelenchoides pseudogoodeyi has recently been reported in association with seeds of forage grasses and rice in Brazil and senescent strawberry plants, in the United States. This nematode is likely a mycophagous species; however, so far, its pathogenicity potential to plants is unclear. This study aimed to verify the pathogenicity of A. pseudogoodeyi to two species of ornamental plants. The experiments were conducted by inoculating A. pseudogoodeyi onto Bird’s-Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) and Oriental Lily (Lilium speciosum) leaves, using two inoculation methods (with and without injury). After 40 days of inoculation (DAI) in Bird’s-Nest Fern and 5, 10, 20 and 40 DAI in Oriental Lily, the pathogenicity and the host efficiency were evaluated by symptoms observation and by severity, final nematode population and reproductive factor (RF), respectively. Additionally, a histopathological study was performed by inoculating A. pseudogoodeyi onto Bird’s-Nest Fern for observing anatomical alterations. A. pseudogoodeyi was able to cause local necrotic lesions on both Bird’s-Nest Fern and Oriental Lily leaves. However, the presence of injury was essential to enable A. pseudogoodeyi to penetrate and cause those symptoms in both plant species. Also, the total population of A. pseudogoodeyi decreased drastically over time and RF was <1, which characterized these species as poor-host or resistant plants. A. pseudogoodeyi penetrated into the foliar tissue and induced a total destruction of the mesophyll and collapse of the cells, with the formation of large intercellular spaces. It is concluded that A. pseudogoodeyi is an opportunistic pathogen as injury was required to induce symptoms in Bird’s-Nest Fern and Oriental Lily.

Epiphytic suspended soils from Borneo and Amazonia differ in their microbial community composition

Microbial organisms support the high species diversity associated with tropical forests, and likely drive functional processes, but microorganisms found in rainforest canopies are not well understood. We quantified the microbial diversity of suspended soils from two classical epiphytic model systems (bromeliads & bird's nest ferns) across two localities: the Nouragues Reserve in French Guiana and Danum Valley in Malaysian Borneo. Non-epiphytic suspended soils were also collected as controls at the Nouragues Reserve. Effects of epiphyte type and sample location on microbial community composition were determined using Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) analysis. Total microbial biomass remained constant across the suspended soil types, but PLFA peaks denoting the relative abundance of different microbes varied between bromeliads, bird's nest ferns and non-epiphytic control soils. Suspended soils associated with bird's nest ferns from Borneo contained a microbial community significantly different in composition from those of congeneric bird's nest ferns from Amazonia, due to shifts in the relative abundance of fungi and bacteria. Our findings reveal that epiphytes create convergent niches for microorganisms in tropical canopies, while highlighting the sensitive nature of suspended soil microbial communities.

THE EFFECTS OF WATERING RATES USING THE DRIP IRRIGATION METHOD ON THE ROOT MASS GROWTH OF BIRD’S NEST FERNS

The increasing demands of gardeners have made peat moss a popular option as a planting material. However, the price of peat moss has increased recently. Therefore, alternative substances for use as a planting material need to be studied. The root of the bird’s nest fern offers a cheaper, easier to produce and more readily available source for a planting material than peat moss. The objective of this research was to increase root mass growth by using drip irrigation. With an experimental design using CRD, two-year old bird’s nest ferns with root mass sizes of 5 inches were watered by means of a drip irrigation method at rates of 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1,000 ml every 3 days. The data measured were root mass height, root mass diameter, leaf length, leaf width and canopy width. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the differences between the means of treatment were compared by DMRT. The research found that the ferns which received water at a rate of 800 ml produced a root mass height of 11.06 cm and a root mass diameter of 11.93 cm. They were significantly different (p<0.05). The ferns which received water at a rate of 200 ml produced a leaf length of 29.52cm and a leaf width of 9.55 cm. The amount of water causes fern growth to significantly different (p<0.01). The 800 ml rate of drip irrigation also produced the largest canopy width of 48.12 cm.

Bird's nest fern epiphytes facilitate herpetofaunal arboreality and climate refuge in two paleotropic canopies.

In tropical forests, epiphytes increase habitat complexity and provision services rare to canopy environments,such as water retention, nutrient cycling, and microclimate refuge. These services facilitate species diversityand coexistence in terrestrial ecosystems, and while their utility in forest ecosystems is appreciated for theBromeliaceaeof the Neotropics, fewer studies have examined the role of Paleotropic epiphytes in ecological niche theory. Here, we compare herpetofaunal presence, abundance, and diversity of in bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus complex;BNF)to other microhabitats in Madagascar and the Philippines. We measure BNF fern microclimates, examine temporaluse of canopy microhabitats, and test models of fern characteristics hypothesized to predict herpetofaunal use. In both countries, one in five BNFs were occupied by herpetofauna, mostly amphibians, and species using BNFs were highly dissimilar from those in other microhabitats. Herpetofaunal presence and abundance weregreaterin BNFs than in other canopymicrohabitats andwere most commonly used during the day when fern temperatures were highly buffered. Finally, BNF area was the best predictor of herpetofaunal presence and abundance, compared to canopy cover and BNF height.Importantly, thesepatternsremained consistent despite the distinct phylogenetic histories of our two communities (Asian versus African). Our results suggests that BNFs and their microclimate services play a critical role in the ecologyof two Paleotropic forests, and facilitate the use of canopy habitats by climate-sensitive species. However, future studies are needed to assess the consistency of BNFs' utility as a microclimate refuge across their large range.

Bird's nest ferns promote resource sharing by centipedes

AbstractBird's nest ferns (Asplenium spp.) support large numbers of invertebrates, including centipedes. As top invertebrate predators, centipedes drive ecosystem function, for example, by regulating decomposer populations, but we know little of their ecology in forest canopies. We provide the first detailed observations of the diversity and structure of the centipede communities of bird's nest ferns, revealing the importance of these epiphytes as nurseries for centipedes. We collected 305 centipedes equating to ˜11,300 mg of centipede biomass from 44 bird's nest ferns (22 of which were from the high canopy and 22 from the low canopy) in primary tropical rainforest in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Most abundant were the Scolopendromorpha (n = 227 individuals), followed by the Geophilomorpha (n = 59), Lithobiomorpha (n = 14), and Scutigeromorpha (n = 5). Although we observed very little overlap in species between the forest strata, scolopendromorph centipedes dominated throughout the canopy. Null model analysis revealed no significant competitive interactions; on the contrary, we observed centipedes sharing nest sites within the ferns on three of the ten occasions that we found nests. All nests belonged to centipedes of the family Scolopendridae, which are typically aggressive, and usually show negative spatial association. This study reveals a diverse community of canopy centipedes, providing further evidence of the importance of bird's nest ferns to a wide range of animals, many of which use the ferns at critical life stages. Future conservation strategies should regard these ubiquitous epiphytes as umbrella species and protect them accordingly in landscape management decisions.Abstract in Malay is available with online material.

Gordonia asplenii sp. nov., isolated from humic soil on bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus L.)

A novel member of the actinobacteria, designated strain A-T 0013T, was isolated from humic soil on a bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus L.) collected from Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. According the results of a polyphasic taxonomic study, A-T 0013T had characteristics typical of members of the genus Gordonia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that A-T 0013T shared ≤98 % sequence similarity with all members of the genus Gordonia. The most closely related species was Gordonia effusa IFM 10200T (97.92 % sequence similarity). The average nucleotide identity based on blast (ANIb) value with G. effusa IFM 10200T was 76.81 %. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars contained ribose, arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H2). The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), and C18 : 0 10-methyl. Mycolic acid was present. The polar lipid profile for this strain ncluded diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66.1 mol%. Differentiation of A-T 0013T from the most closely related species, Gordonia effusa IFM 10200T, was evident from digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 21.8 %. On the basis of the results of comparative analysis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data, strain A-T 0013T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Gordonia, for which the name Gordonia asplenii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A-T 0013T (=TBRC 11910T=NBRC 114549T).

Anti-melanization effects and inhibitory kinetics of tyrosinase of bird's nest fern (Asplenium australasicum) frond extracts on melanoma and human skin

Some bioactive properties of p-coumaric acid and fucose-rich polysaccharide in skin health have been studied, including melanogenesis inhibition of the phenolic acid and growth inhibitory effects of the polysaccharide on melanoma. The dermatological benefits of bird's nest fern extracts (BNFE), containing both substantial fucose-rich polysaccharide and p-coumaric acid, like promoting collagen production and growth of fibroblast cell and further improving the elasticity and dryness of human skins have been demonstrated in our previous study. Besides, the anti-melanization effects of various BNFE on B16-F10 melanoma and human skin were first studied here. The promising extracts revealed that the main phenolic acid, p-coumaric acid, in BNFE resulted in suppression against tyrosinase activity from melanogenesis. The inhibitory kinetics on the diphenolase activity indicated that AE40 was a noncompetitive inhibitor of mushroom tyrosinase. On the other hand, the fucose-rich mucilage of BNFE showed pronouncedly suppressing effect on B16-F10 melanoma viability. Clinical trial was performed by recruiting 46 female volunteers and the results indicated that the lotions with 1% of BNFE was non-irritant and reduced effectively the pigmentation on human skin after 7-14 days of continuous application. It was suggested that the fucose-rich mucilage and p-coumaric acid in BNFE may have potential for nutricosmetics and phytotherapy applications as a natural hypopigmenting agent.

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for the plant-parasitic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi in rice seedlings

Abstract Aphelenchoides besseyi is a seed-borne plant-parasitic nematode pathogen that causes rice white-tip disease worldwide. For quarantine purposes at custom border inspection and in field surveillance, a rapid, highly specific, and sensitive loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the nematode detection was developed. The assay targets the sequence variable region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of the nematode. It is capable of distinguishing the A. besseyi rice pathotype from the closely related A. besseyi nest fern pathotype. The assay is highly sensitive, with the detection minimum limit at 103 copy numbers/µl cloned target plasmid or a single nematode crude DNA. A minimum of 35 min is needed for the assay to complete, and the detection results can be rapidly determined by the color change of hydroxynaphathol blue dye or by the indication bar on a specific lateral flow dipstick. The application potential of this assay on rice seeding was demonstrated at the sensitivity level of five nematodes in single rice seedling. This is the first LAMP assay for A. besseyi rice race detection using a mitochondria gene as marker. This assay is well-suited for phytosanitary examination and seedling screening purposes in nurseries.

Physical Conditions Regulate the Fungal to Bacterial Ratios of a Tropical Suspended Soil

As a source of ‘suspended soils’, epiphytes contribute large amounts of organic matter to the canopy of tropical rain forests. Microbes associated with epiphytes are responsible for much of the nutrient cycling taking place in rain forest canopies. However, soils suspended far above the ground in living organisms differ from soil on the forest floor, and traditional predictors of soil microbial community composition and functioning (nutrient availability and the activity of soil organisms) are likely to be less important. We conducted an experiment in the rain forest biome at the Eden Project in the U.K. to explore how biotic and abiotic conditions determine microbial community composition and functioning in a suspended soil. To simulate their natural epiphytic lifestyle, bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) were placed on a custom-built canopy platform suspended 8 m above the ground. Ammonium nitrate and earthworm treatments were applied to ferns in a factorial design. Extracellular enzyme activity and Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) profiles were determined at zero, three and six months. We observed no significant differences in either enzyme activity or PLFA profiles between any of the treatments. Instead, we observed decreases in β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity, and an increase in phenol oxidase activity across all treatments and controls over time. An increase in the relative abundance of fungi during the experiment meant that the microbial communities in the Eden Project ferns after six months were comparable with ferns sampled from primary tropical rain forest in Borneo.

Multiple-physiological benefits of bird’s nest fern (Asplenium australasicum) frond extract for dermatological applications

p-coumaric acid and fucose-rich polysaccharide have been studied for many bio-functions in skin including cutaneous protection from oxidative damage and antiageing, respectively, as well as wound healing. The physiological activities of various bird’s nest fern extracts (BNFE), containing considerable fucose-rich mucilage and p-coumaric acid, on fibroblast and human skin were first investigated. BNFE with higher polysaccharide content generally contributed to a better moisture holding capability. Furthermore, BNFE showed pronouncedly enhancing effect on collagen production and growth of fibroblast (NIH-3T3), clinical trial results revealed that the emulsions with 1% BNFE showed good moisturising effect and improved the elasticity of human skins effectively. The potential of BNFE for cosmetics and medical applications such as natural moisturiser, antiageing and wound repairing was possibly related to the fucose-rich mucilage and various phenolic compounds including p-coumaric acid in BNFE.

Bird's nest ferns as reservoirs of soil arthropod biodiversity in a Japanese subtropical rainforest

Bird's nest ferns as reservoirs of soil arthropod biodiversity in a Japanese subtropical rainforest

How Tropical Epiphytes at the Eden Project Contribute to Rainforest Canopy Science

Understanding the ecological patterns and ecosystem processes of tropical rainforest canopies is becoming increasingly urgent in the face of widespread deforestation. However, accessing rainforest canopies is far from simple, and performing manipulative experiments in the canopy is particularly challenging. Botanic gardens provide an ideal ‘halfway house’ between field experiments and controlled laboratory conditions. As an ideal venue for testing equipment and refining ideas, botanic gardens also provide scientists with a direct route to public engagement, and potentially to research impact. Here we describe the ‘fernarium’, an adjustable canopy research platform for the standardisation, manipulation and detailed study of epiphytic bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) at the Eden Project in Cornwall. The fernarium provides a platform not only for the scientific study of bird’s nest ferns, but for public engagement, science communication and a wider understanding of the urgent environmental issues surrounding tropical rainforests. We include some preliminary results from an experiment in which the microbial community of a fern soil at the Eden Project was found to be similar in composition to that of a fern from lowland tropical rainforest in Malaysian Borneo. This study illustrates how preliminary experiments in an indoor rainforest can inform experimentaltechniques and procedures fundamental to the scientific study of genuine rainforest canopies.

Glycoside Hydrolase (GH) 45 and 5 Candidate Cellulases in Aphelenchoides besseyi Isolated from Bird's-Nest Fern.

Five Aphelenchoides besseyi isolates collected from bird’s-nest ferns or rice possess different parasitic capacities in bird’s-nest fern. Two different glycoside hydrolase (GH) 45 genes were identified in the fern isolates, and only one was found in the rice isolates. A Abe GH5-1 gene containing an SCP-like family domain was found only in the fern isolates. Abe GH5-1 gene has five introns suggesting a eukaryotic origin. A maximum likelihood phylogeny revealed that Abe GH5-1 is part of the nematode monophyletic group that can be clearly distinguished from those of other eukaryotic and bacterial GH5 sequences with high bootstrap support values. The fern A. besseyi isolates were the first parasitic plant nematode found to possess both GH5 and GH45 genes. Surveying the genome of the five A. besseyi isolates by Southern blotting using an 834 bp probe targeting the GH5 domain suggests the presence of at least two copies in the fern-origin isolates but none in the rice-origin isolates. The in situ hybridization shows that the Abe GH5-1 gene is expressed in the nematode ovary and testis. Our study provides insights into the diversity of GH in isolates of plant parasitic nematodes of different host origins.

Competition can lead to unexpected patterns in tropical ant communities

Ecological communities are structured by competitive, predatory, mutualistic and parasitic interactions combined with chance events. Separating deterministic from stochastic processes is possible, but finding statistical evidence for specific biological interactions is challenging. We attempt to solve this problem for ant communities nesting in epiphytic bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) in Borneo’s lowland rainforest. By recording the frequencies with which each and every single ant species occurred together, we were able to test statistically for patterns associated with interspecific competition. We found evidence for competition, but the resulting co-occurrence pattern was the opposite of what we expected. Rather than detecting species segregation—the classical hallmark of competition—we found species aggregation. Moreover, our approach of testing individual pairwise interactions mostly revealed spatially positive rather than negative associations. Significant negative interactions were only detected among large ants, and among species of the subfamily Ponerinae. Remarkably, the results from this study, and from a corroborating analysis of ant communities known to be structured by competition, suggest that competition within the ants leads to species aggregation rather than segregation. We believe this unexpected result is linked with the displacement of species following asymmetric competition. We conclude that analysing co-occurrence frequencies across complete species assemblages, separately for each species, and for each unique pairwise combination of species, represents a subtle yet powerful way of detecting structure and compartmentalisation in ecological communities.

Plant composition patterns inside an endemic birds’ nest fern (Asplenium goudeyi) on Lord Howe Island: effects of fern size, fern isolation and plant dispersal abilities

Abstract:The importance of deterministic and stochastic processes in structuring ecological communities is an enduring debate. Although this debate is nearly a century old, the extent to which communities are structured by species interactions or chance events is a central issue in ecology. We examined the assemblages of plants living inside 119 birds’ nest ferns (Asplenium goudeyi), which are endemic to Lord Howe Island. Specifically, we investigated whether patterns of species richness and community composition were influenced by fern size, fern isolation and plant dispersal abilities. Fern size and fern isolation significantly predicted plant community richness. At the community level, plant composition patterns did not deviate from randomized expectations. Individual species occurrences increased with increasing community richness, and no species exclusions were observed. Wind-dispersed taxa, which accounted for 29% of all species, were well represented in isolated ferns. Comparatively, poorer dispersers were confined to ferns nearest the forest at the base of the cliffs. We suggest that dispersal plays a key role in structuring plant communities living within birds’ nest ferns, and that species interactions are less important. Our study emphasizes the importance of epiphytes with a nest-like growth form as habitat for plants in a harsh environment.

Characterization of the mucilage extracted from the edible fronds of bird's nest fern (Asplenium australasicum) with enzymatic modifications

The mucilage extracted from the Asplenium australasicum (bird's nest fern) edible fronds with single/dual enzymatic modification was characterized. Protein content and sugar composition analysis revealed that both trichloroacetic acid and proteinase treatment could effectively remove the proteinaceous matter of mucilage, accompanied with an increase in carbohydrate content. Furthermore, the lateral portion of the proteinaceous matter bound with larger size polysaccharide may contain short segments of glucose. The four glycoside hydrolase studied, including galactanase, mannanase, arabinanase and xylanase, all diminished the levels of glucose, arabinose and rhamnose significantly, but to a different extent, particularly for sample with xylanase treatment. After the removal of protein with proteinase, some physical properties of A. australasicum mucilage were improved, for instance, solubility, turbidity and intrinsic viscosity, though the interfacial activity and average molecular weight decreased. Moreover, after dual enzymatic modification, the intrinsic viscosity and moisture holding capability of A. australasicum mucilage were further increased. This is possibly due to the production of mucilage with higher purity and less branched polysaccharide chains by structural modification that leading to more intermolecular interactions and higher hydration capacity. Among the dual enzymatic modification studied, proteinase + xylanase treatment was most effective in terms of structural modification.

Effects of photosynthetic photon flux density and photoperiod on water quality and crop production in a loach (Misgurnus anguillicandatus) – nest fern (Asplenium nidus) raft aquaponics system

This study focused on effects of photoperiod and light intensity on production of loach and a shade or low light plant, Nest fern Asplenium nidus Linn. A factorial arrangement of 6 treatments, 3 light intensities in photosynthetic photon flux density (22, 59, 109 μmol s−1 m−2 with T5 tube) X 2 photoperiods (3-h or 6-h light per day) were assigned to 12 tanks. Each tank was an aquaponics system containing fish, loach Misgurnus anguillicandatus and raft-supporting plant, Nest fern A. nidus Linn.. Water loss was 8.9% or 0.1% d−1 in 12 weeks' production period, due to leaf transpiration mainly and evaporation in the feeding area. Water quality remained safe and stable. No fish died. Overall average weight gain was 124.5% for fish and 167.5% for plant. High light intensity and long photoperiod favored both plant and fish growth and improved water quality, such as lessened the accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in water, consequently, lowered BOD and COD and slowed down pH decline. This raft aquaponics system was demonstrated effective in water saving, nutrient conservation and fish and plant production. Longer culture period is feasible for bigger loach and higher fern production, consequently, more lucrative profit in this aquaponics system.