Presentation Type
Poster
Keywords
Development, Morphology, Species Comparison, Fern, Gametophyte
Department
Biology
Major
Biology
Abstract
The fern life cycle alternates between two distinct phases: a diploid sporophyte phase consisting of the “adult” fern, and a haploid gametophyte phase. Early events and changes in gametophyte development can have considerable consequences in the morphologies of these different fern species and may facilitate the various adaptive strategies employed by the gametophytes in their different habitats. This study investigates early developmental events in the gametophytes of four different fern species found in the Santa Monica Mountains, Adiantum jordanii (chaparral understory, summer deciduous sporophyte), Woodwardia fimbriata (riparian stream), Dryopteris arguta (chaparral understory, evergreen), and Pentagramma triangularis (chaparral understory, resurrection sporophyte). Every 24 hours for 20 days, live images of developing gametophytes were captured and analyzed using computational and image analysis software in order to quantitatively examine the timing and patterns of key developmental events. Using morphological landmarks, a developmental staging system was created for early gametophyte development for all four species of ferns. By comparing and contrasting the staged reference ontogenies of these species, patterns and correlations with habitat and frond phenology were explored and key developmental differences between the species were detected.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Donna Nofziger-Plank
Funding Source or Research Program
Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
25-3-2022 2:00 PM
End Date
25-3-2022 3:00 PM
Included in
Developmental Staging and Morphological Comparisons of Four Fern Gametophyte Species from the Santa Monica Mountains
Waves Cafeteria
The fern life cycle alternates between two distinct phases: a diploid sporophyte phase consisting of the “adult” fern, and a haploid gametophyte phase. Early events and changes in gametophyte development can have considerable consequences in the morphologies of these different fern species and may facilitate the various adaptive strategies employed by the gametophytes in their different habitats. This study investigates early developmental events in the gametophytes of four different fern species found in the Santa Monica Mountains, Adiantum jordanii (chaparral understory, summer deciduous sporophyte), Woodwardia fimbriata (riparian stream), Dryopteris arguta (chaparral understory, evergreen), and Pentagramma triangularis (chaparral understory, resurrection sporophyte). Every 24 hours for 20 days, live images of developing gametophytes were captured and analyzed using computational and image analysis software in order to quantitatively examine the timing and patterns of key developmental events. Using morphological landmarks, a developmental staging system was created for early gametophyte development for all four species of ferns. By comparing and contrasting the staged reference ontogenies of these species, patterns and correlations with habitat and frond phenology were explored and key developmental differences between the species were detected.