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6 October 2020 Dimorphic Sexual Expression and Anisospory in Homalothecium sericeum Schimp. s.l. (Brachytheciaceae) in Portugal
Cecília Sérgio, Manuela Sim-Sim, César A. Garcia
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Abstract

Among terrestrial plant species, male dwarfism (nannandry) is a unique feature of bryophytes, common in numerous dioicous pleurocarpous mosses. In this study, our objective was to describe and to elucidate the incidence of dwarf males in Portuguese populations of Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.) Schimp and H. meridionale (M. Fleisch. & Warnst.) Hedenäs. We also evaluated the occurrence of sporophytes and of dwarf males, in 150 selected samples from the LISU herbarium collection. The results showed that most samples are heteromorphic, with sporophytes, and include dwarf males, independent marginal male branches and/or caducous brood branches as vegetative propagules. The samples containing only independent male plants are infrequent. Anisospory was observed in both species, with a perceptible bimodal distribution of spore size in both species. Moreover, in Portugal no differences were found between the two species of this complex concerning the presence and relative position of male plants, the occurrence of anisospory, or the strategies exhibited by male plants, such as nannandry and caducous branches.

© Publications scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris.
Cecília Sérgio, Manuela Sim-Sim, and César A. Garcia "Dimorphic Sexual Expression and Anisospory in Homalothecium sericeum Schimp. s.l. (Brachytheciaceae) in Portugal," Cryptogamie, Bryologie 41(14), 197-204, (6 October 2020). https://doi.org/10.5252/cryptogamie-bryologie2020v41a14
Received: 6 June 2019; Accepted: 15 July 2020; Published: 6 October 2020
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KEYWORDS
dioicous moss
Dwarf males
heteromorphic gametophytes
pleurocarpous moss
sex strategies
spore diameters
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