Reproductive biology of Syzygiella rubricaulis (Nees) Steph. (Adelanthaceae, Marchantiophyta), a liverwort disjunctly distributed in high‐altitude Neotropical mountains

Abstract

Syzygiella rubricaulis is a dioecious leafy liverwort disjunctly distributed and restricted to high-altitude mountains in the Neotropics and the Azores. This study is part of a larger project examining the phylogeography of S. rubricaulis in the Neotropics, and our main goals were to understand its reproductive biology, where sex expression occurs, if vegetative propagules are frequently found, how the sexes are distributed in populations, how frequently sporophytes are formed and what environmental conditions influence sexual expression. S. rubricaulis patches are mostly female, but all patches also contain non sex-expressing shoots. Out of 42 patches examined, 29 (69%) were sex-expressing: 25 were unisexual (21 female and four male) and four of mixed sex (two male-biased and two unbiased). At shoot level, out of 4200 shoots 18% were female and 7% male; among sex-expressing shoots, 73% were female, representing a sex ratio of 0.8 (female-biased). We encountered a total of 33 sporophytes in six patches (in Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador). Leaf regenerants were found in one patch in Mexico. Low rates of sporophytes were likely related to low frequencies of male shoots and large distances between the sexes. As 25% of S. rubricaulis shoots expressed sex (occasionally producing sporophytes), we suggest that short-distance (and rarely long-distance) spore dispersal events occur in mountainous areas on a short-term basis. On a long-term basis, however, these events likely contribute to dynamic exchanges among populations in the Neotropics.

Diversity of Secondary Metabolites in the Liverwort Syzygiella rubricaulis (Nees) Stephani (Jamesoniellaceae, Marchantiophyta) from Neotropical High Mountains

“…However, existing studies attest to the performance of these chemicals as allopathic, anti‐microbial, anti‐herbivory, as well as protection against UV radiation, desiccation tolerance, and freezing . Bryophytes have a dominant gametophytic generation, thus the evolution of chemical defense in these group of plants may be a peculiar aspect of these plants if a recessive allele that acts on secondary metabolism is exposed to selection in haploid gametophytes that predominate in these plants.…”

“…Syzygiella spruce is known to produce terpenoids (e.g., jamesoniellides) and aromatic compounds, which are responsible for its pungency and bitterness . The species chosen for the present investigation, Syzygiella rubricaulis ( Nees ) Stephani , is a dioecious leafy liverwort disjunctly distributed and restricted to high‐altitude mountains of Neotropics and the Azores, commonly occurring above 1000 m, on exposed rocks, rocky outcrops, exposed soils, and tree trunks . In the tropical America, this taxon occurs from Mexico to Bolivia, and in Brazil occurs along the coast (from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul States) and inland in the Amazon mountains (Amazonas State).…”

“…Common components found in the populations of S. rubricaulis. Theaspirane (1), fusicocca-2,5-diene (2), peculiaroxide (3), cyclocolorenone (4), tridensenone (5), pinguisene (6), sesquiterpene lactone(7), cyperene epoxide(8), and veticadinoxide(9).…”

“…Sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and other chemicals found in the 12 populations analyzed of Syzygiella rubricaulis from different mountainous regions of tropical America. Ecuador (E): 1, 2, 3; Mexico (M): 4; Venezuela (V): 5; Brazil:6,7,8,9,10,11,12 …”

Novel Study on Chemical Characterization and Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anticholinesterase Activity of Essential Oil from Ecuadorian Bryophyte Syzygiella rubricaulis (Nees) Stephani

“…With a height ranging from 2 to 8 cm, the plant exhibits a yellowish-green color that varies from brownish-orange to reddish-brown. The laterally ovate-obicular leaves have a rounded apex, large trigonous cells, and sparse rizoidal cuticles [13]. Previous research on S. rubricaulis has identified notable chemical constituents in the extract, including significant compounds such as theaspirane, recognized for its aromatic properties in various tea types, the diterpene fusicoccan-2,5-diene, and peculiaroxide [14].…”