Comparison of desiccation tolerance among mosses from different habitats

Abstract

Three moss species from the karst region were compared to establish their respective patterns of desiccation tolerance. Different life forms of bryophytes were chosen to obtain evidence of their life strategies during drought conditions. Comparative analyses of electrolyte leakage were performed to screen for tolerance of the membrane to water stress and for signs of damage to the fine structure of the protoplasm. The experiments were carried out by exposing the plants to water stress caused by PEG 600. The results show that the most desiccation tolerant species is Thamnobryum alopecurum, less but fairly tolerant is Anomodon viticulosus, while the aquatic Rhynchostegium riparioides is intolerant of desiccation

Ecophysiological and anatomical characteristics of the subtropical shrub Zanthoxylum acanthopodium (Rutaceae) in conditions of a temperate continental climate (Serbia)

“…However, it is also important to know the extent to which leakage represents damage to the xeromorphic leaves. This plant's injury indices are roughly similar to the degree of solute leakage occurring in the desiccation-tolerant Ramonda serbica and R. nathaliae (Gesneriaceae), as well as in the drought-resistant moss Thamnobryum alopecurum (Stevanović et al, 1997(Stevanović et al, -1998Šinžar-Sekulić et al, 2005). Relatively stable and fairly low values of the injury index indicate remarkable tolerance to water deficit.…”

Physiological consequences of desiccation in the aquatic bryophyte Fontinalis antipyretica

“…However, that conclusion does not have substantial support from physiological experimental data (see review in Glime and Vitt 1984) except in some cases (Lee and Stewart 1971;Brown and Buck 1979;Š inžar-Sekulić et al 2005). For example, after 90 min rehydration, Fontinalis antipyretica and Brachythecium rivulare photosynthesis was completely inhibited when these species were previously dried under zero relative humidity (RH).…”