Abstract Detail

Pteridological Section/AFS

Momin, Rehman [1], Watkins, James [2].

Do antheridiogens play a role in competitive exclusion of fern gametophytes?

Antheridiogens have influential roles in the sex determination of fern gametophytes. To date, studies have focused on the implications of antheridiogens on intergametophytic fertilization, yet very little has been done on the competitive aspect these pheromones may provide. The goal of this study is to examine the influence antheridiogens play in mediating competition both within and between species. Antheridiogens may provide an advantage to a species by inducing the formation of antheridiate gametophytes in nearby immature thalli, which prevents the formation of potentially competing sporophytes. To address this hypothesis, we determined isolate potential by measuring sporophyte formation of isolated gametophytes from 20 tropical species from both terrestrial and epiphytic life forms. In addition, we established gametophyte competition treatments where spores were sown with increasing distances from a mature gametophyte to establish the antheridiogen neighborhood for each species. We then examined the impact that these sexually mature gametophytes had on spore germination and gametophyte development in inter and intraspecific treatments. We found that few species were capable of producing sporophytes from isolated gametophytes, and that antheridiogen may act as an effective mechanism influencing interspecific competition. Furthermore, our data reveal an important distance effect (antheridiogen neighborhood) for each species. Future work will attempt to elucidate chemical mechanism for these antheridiogen effects.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Colgate University, Biology, 13 Oak Dr, Hamilton, NY, 13346, United States
2 - Colgate University, Department of Botany, 129 Ho Science Center, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY, 13346-1338, USA, 315-228-7660

Keywords:
pteridophyte
fern
gametophyte
antheridiogen
competitive exclusion
ecology
epiphyte.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPD003
Abstract ID:419
Candidate for Awards:None