Keywords

Biology -- Classification, Ferns, Pteridophyta

Abstract

The mainly tropical genus Lygodium differs from other ferns in that the fronds are indeterminate and are vine-like. A single species, L. palmatum is native in temperate North America. The temperate Asian L. japonicum is naturalized throughout much of the southeastern United States. About twenty years ago, L. microphyllum was introduced into South Florida and is now naturalized in several counties. The present study documents differences among spores and their generation, development of sporophytes from the fertilized egg, and in flavonoid chemistry. Hybridization experiments showed a strong possibility for cross fertility between species. Experiments with prothallial development and differentiation revealed that environment influenced variation and gametangium formation.

Greater similarity in sporophyte developmental stages and in frond phytochemistry show that the native L. palmatum is phenetically closer to the tropical L. microphyllum than to L. japonicum. All three species are clearly distinct at all levels examined.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1984

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Miller, Harvey A.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Program

Biological Sciences

Format

PDF

Pages

81 p.

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0022595

Accessibility Status

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