Effect of Soil Water Contents on Arsenic Accumulation in Phytoliths of Pteris Multifida and Phragmites Australis

Purpose: The encapsulation of toxic metal(loid)s in phytoliths represents a new area of research. The accumulation of metal(loid)s in phytoliths can alter the fate and toxicity of soil metal(loid). Pteris multifida is a well-known As hyperaccumulator which also harbors phytoliths. However, As accumulation in phytoliths has not yet been studied. Soil water content is considered the main factor influencing phytolith accumulation and also remains unexplored with respect to As accumulation in phytoliths. In this study, As concentration in the phytoliths of P. multifida was compared with that in Phragmites australis phytoliths as a function of the soil water content. Methods: P. multifida and P. australis were grown under different soil water contents. The As concentration in phytoliths, roots, and shoots of plants was then determined.Results: The range of As concentration in the phytoliths of P. multifida was 414.70 - 1610.74 mg kg-1, and that for P. australis phytoliths was 41.67 - 126.54 mg kg-1. In P. multifida, higher soil water content increased As accumulation in phytoliths but did not affect phytolith content in the plant. In P. australis, the higher soil water content increased phytolith content in the plant but decreased As concentration in phytoliths. Conclusion: This study suggests that P. multifida has higher As content in phytoliths than P. australis, and this accumulation can be affected by soil water content. The current findings provide insight into the accumulation of As in phytoliths and provide a theoretical basis for our understanding on the fate of As in the environment.

Pteris multifida (spider brake).

Pteris multifida is a herbaceous fern native to temperate and tropical eastern Asia and naturalized on many continents as a result of being widely cultivated. Although it is an urban weed, it is not considered by most countries as an invasive or noxious weed. There is no information available on the species affecting native species or natural habitats. Although one source lists P. multifida as an invasive species in many countries outside of Africa due to it being easily dispersed by spores, there are no references or further information to support this statement. It is reported as an alien invasive species in Germany, but only as occurring in sheltered sites, growing on light-vents in cellars and walls. A species assessment for Florida, USA indicates, P. multifida is neither a weed of natural habitats nor of agriculture. The species has not been listed as an invasive plant in any state or natural areas of the USA. However, P. multifida has been assigned a Tier II Invasive Species status (defined as having moderate negative impacts on wildlife or natural communities in Louisiana), but of limited concern and/or extent in Louisiana. Pteris multifida is recorded in Cuba as potentially invasive being categorized as a species with a tendency to proliferate in some areas and capable of producing vast amounts of diaspores with high dispersal potential. No further details are given about potential invasiveness.

Morphological and anatomical adaptations to dry, shady environments in Adiantum reniforme var. sinense (Pteridaceae)

The natural distribution of the rare perennial fern Adiantum reniforme var. sinense (Pteridaceae), which is endemic to shady cliff environments, is limited to small areas of Wanzhou County, Chongqing, China. In this study, we used brightfield and epifluorescence microscopy to investigate the anatomical structures and histochemical features that may allow this species to thrive in shady, dry cliff environments. The A. reniforme var. sinense sporophyte had a primary structure and a dictyostele. The plants of this species had an endodermis, sclerenchyma layers and hypodermal sterome, reflecting an adaption to dry cliff environments. Blades had a thin cuticle and isolateral mesophyll, suggesting a tolerance of shady environments. These characteristics are similar to many sciophyte ferns such as Lygodium japonicum and Pteris multifida. Thus, the morphological and anatomical characteristics of A. reniforme var. sinense identified in this study are consistent with adaptations to shady, dry cliff environments.

Chromosome numbers of some species of Pteris (Pteridaceae) in Java, Indonesia

Praptosuwiryo TNg, Mumpuni M. 2018. Chromosome numbers of some species of Pteris (Pteridaceae) in Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 2118-2126. Pteris L. (Pteridaceae) is a large fern genus consisting of about 250 species which distributed predominantly in tropical and subtropical countries. The genus grows in a diversity of ecosystems, either terrestrially or lithophytically, although most species occur in the forest. A study of the cytology of Pteris in Java is being undertaken for the conceptual understanding of the interrelationships between various fern species in the Malesian region. This aims of our study are: (1) to observe somatic chromosome number of some species of Pteris in Java; (2) to determine the reproduction types of the observed species by counting the spore number per sporangium; (3) to discuss polyploidy in the species in relation to plant morphological variation across their geographical distribution. Chromosome counts for eight species are reported. Pteris biaurita is an apogamous diploid species (2n = 58). Pteris ensiformis var. ensiformis has chromosome numbers of 2n = 87 (apogamous triploid) and 2n = 116 (sexual tetraploid), while P. ensiformis var. victoriae has a chromosome number 2n = 58 and is a sexual diploid. Pteris fauriei is an apogamous triploid species (2n = 87). Pteris longipinnula has a chromosome number of 2n = 116 (tetraploid). Pteris multifida and P. vittata are sexual tetraploids (2n=116). Pteris tripartita has two ploidy levels (sexual diploid and tetraploid). Another currently unplaced Javanese Pteris sp. has 2n = 87 (apogamous triploid). Diploid P. biaurita, tetraploid P. ensiformis, triploid P. fauriei, diploid P. tripartita, and teraploid P. vittata are new record cytotypes for Central Java. Polyploidy in the genus in relation to plant morphological variation across its geographical range is discussed.