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C3 Photosynthesis in the Gametophyte of the Epiphytic CAM Fern Pyrrosia Longifolia (Polypodiaceae)
Martin, Craig E. Allen, Mitchell T. Haufler, Christopher H.
Martin, Craig E.
Allen, Mitchell T.
Haufler, Christopher H.
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Abstract
Sporophytes of some epiphytic species in the fern genus Pyrrosia exhibit Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), generally
considered to be a derived physiological response to xeric habitats. Because these species alternate between independent
sporophytic and gametophytic generations yet only the sporophyte has been characterized physiologically, experiments were
conducted to determine the photosynthetic pathways present in mature sporophytes, immature sporophytes, and gametophytes
of Pyrrosia longifolia. Diurnal C 0 2 exchange and malic acid fluctuations demonstrated that although the mature
sporophytes exhibited CAM, only C3 photosynthesis occurred in the gametophytes and young sporophytes. Consideration
of the above results and those from previous studies, as well as the life cycle of ferns, indicates that the induction of CAM
probably occurs at a certain developmental stage of the sporophyte and/or following exposure to stress. Elucidation of the
precise mechanisms underlying this C^-CAM transition awaits further research.
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This is the publisher's official version, also available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2445689
Date
1995
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Botanical Society of America
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Martin, C.E., M.T. Allen, and C.H. Haufler. 1995. C3 photosynthesis in the gametophyte of the epiphytic CAM fern Pyrrosia longifolia (Polypodiaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 82: 441-444.