Researchers found that tree-layer α-diversity peaks at mid-elevation zones, while understory α-diversity shows a bimodal trend with two diversity peaks at 400-600m and 1000-1200m. Community composition differs among low-, mid- and high-elevation zones, driven by species turnover across elevational zones.
The PteridoPortal is an online repository of fern and lycophyte information, allowing researchers to access digitized specimens from 35 herbarium collections. This project has significantly impacted biodiversity research, enabling scientists to inventory species in Colombia and other countries.
A research team from Göttingen University has compared algae and plants that span 600 million years of independent evolution, identifying a shared stress response network. This comprehensive dataset can be further explored for its physiological impact across plant diversity.
A 13,000-year history of vegetation and fire in Albany Pine Bush reveals pine-oak forest dominance with frequent fires. Pollen and charcoal samples indicate moister climates in recent millennia.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a fern species that can exist as an independent gametophyte for long periods without a sporophyte. This breakthrough sheds new light on the evolution of ferns and their adaptation to environmental niches.
Non-flowering bryophytes, including mosses, have sophisticated immune receptor repertoires that can be transferred between flowering and non-flowering plants. This discovery offers a new source of resistance genes against pathogens for major crops facing climate change threats.
Researchers discovered that ferns and flowering plants independently evolved nectaries around the same time to defend against herbivores. Ferns likely recruited ant defenders secondarily, tapping into pre-existing relationships as they transitioned from forest floor to canopy.
Genetic research revealed many new fern species in tropical America, with 18 newly named and described species. The study found that similar-looking species were previously thought to be a single widespread species.
A new study by CABI suggests that a tiny weevil (Stenopelmus rufinasus) can save Great Britain up to £16.8 million in annual management costs of the invasive aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides. The estimated benefits of the weevil's biocontrol range from £800,000 to £1.6 million per year.
SourceCABI·JournalCABI Agriculture and Bioscience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2022
Two papers published in Nature Plants unveil the first full-length genomes for homosporous ferns, a group containing 99% of modern fern diversity. The Ceratopteris genome suggests that ferns stole genes from bacteria for anti-herbivory toxins.
The study of flying spider-monkey tree fern genome provides insights into fern evolution and arborescence. Ferns developed vascular tissues, including xylem and phloem, to transport water, nutrients, and food, which is a key innovation in land plant evolution.
Researchers from the University of Turku have described seven new species of tropical ferns, including six from the genus Danaea and one from Dennstaedtia. The newly discovered species range from 20cm to 2m tall and offer insights into the biodiversity of Amazonian rainforests.
A new special issue of Applications in Plant Sciences explores techniques for studying gametophytes, essential for understanding biodiversity and conservation. The study reveals the complexity of gametophyte biology, including their limited size and invisibility in some plants.
Researchers discovered that humidity-driven movement in spore-bearing leaves is the key mechanism behind the unique timing of spore dispersal in the sensitive fern. The study found that dead fronds open when dry and close when wet due to differential cell expansion, a process also observed in pine cones.
Scientists have discovered that ferns can actively close their stomata in response to low humidity or the hormone ABA, similar to flowering plants. This finding confirms that the earliest land plants were able to control water loss through stomata, providing valuable insights into plant evolution and climate change adaptation.
A new probe set has been developed to reconstruct the 470-million-year history of flagellate land plants, including ferns and lycophytes. The probes target variable loci in nuclear DNA, providing a unique perspective on plant evolution and resolving deep phylogenetic relationships.
The study found that eight montane hotspots harbor 58% of fern species, with heightened diversity at elevations over 1000m. Ferns' rapid diversification is linked to tropical mountain ecosystems with stable climates.
A study by RUDN University found that adding fern leaves powder to the diet of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) improves their immune system and supports healthy growth. The experiment, published in Fish & Shellfish Immunology journal, showed no side effects from the natural additive.
A global team of researchers has verified the checklist of vascular plants in New Guinea and surrounding islands, revealing a staggering 13,634 species. This finding confirms New Guinea as the world's richest island for plants, with 68% of its flora found only on the island.
Researchers found that increased mercury levels in the environment contributed to the mass extinction of three out of four species on Earth 201 million years ago. The study suggests a cocktail effect of CO2, global warming, and toxic substances like mercury, challenging the traditional theory of greenhouse gas-induced climate change.
A special issue of PhytoKeys highlights 23 newly described species from China's biodiversity hotspots, showcasing the country's unique flora and diverse microclimates. The discovery underscores the need for conservation efforts in these regions to counteract increasing anthropogenic disturbance and destruction.
Scientists propose using high-tech coatings that can retain air for weeks to reduce drag and fuel consumption of ships. This technology has the potential to save up to 20% of fuel and reduce global CO2 emissions by almost one percent.
A medieval skeleton found in Spain's Balearic Islands revealed the first physical evidence of fern plant use for medicinal purposes. The fern leaf was likely used as an infusion to cure conditions such as dandruff, a common cold, and kidney stones.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of a tiny fern species, Azolla filiculoides, which has been found to have significant environmental applications. The fern's unique gene provides insect resistance and can be used as a sustainable fertilizer, while its symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria allows for nitrogen fixation.
Researchers sequenced the first fern genome, enabling insights into land plant evolution and cyanobacterial symbioses. The study revealed genes specific to Azolla's interaction with Nostoc, a cyanobiont, and an important insecticidal gene that provides protection against insect pests.
A new study from the University of Turku reveals that ferns' survival during mass extinctions is linked to environmental changes, while species origination is driven by factors such as low diversity levels after major events. This finding clarifies the contrasting views on biodiversity regulation.
Researchers found that the plant hormone ABA did not yet regulate water balance in early land plants like ferns. Instead, it played a key role in sex determination. The study suggests that the evolution of ABA's function changed as plants transitioned to flowering plants.
Researchers discovered that abscisic acid (ABA) promotes femaleness in ferns, which is linked to spore dormancy. ABA also plays a key role in regulating stomate function in flowering plants, allowing them to conserve water during drought. This study sheds light on the evolution of plant hormones and their roles in ancient species.
Ferns are inaccurately depicted as extreme inbreeders in most biology textbooks, but research suggests this is not the case. New study co-authored by KU researcher Christopher Haufler reveals that ferns use outbreeding to produce genetic variation, contrary to long-held assumptions.
Scientists have created a new material called Nanofur that mimics the water-repellent and oil-absorbing properties of aquatic fern leaves. This innovative material is highly effective in cleaning up oil spills, with some leaves absorbing up to 30 seconds' worth of oil.
A recent study found that California's drought has severely impacted native ferns in redwood forests, causing permanent dieback and limiting their ability to photosynthesize. The study reveals that these plants can recover quickly after heavy rains but are vulnerable to pests and diseases due to prolonged water stress.
A research team from the University of Lomé in Togo identified 17 species of the Pteridaceae fern family, including one first recorded in the country. The study provides a detailed identification key for all species, including new records and synonyms.
Researchers discovered a fern that is the offspring of two distantly-related plant groups that haven't interbred in 60 million years. The finding challenges traditional views on reproductive incompatibility among species.
A group of ferns in the Andean páramo ecosystem evolved highly modified leaves to cope with extreme environmental fluctuations, retaining furled fronds and increasing leaflet pairs up to 300 per frond. The rate of biological species arising is significantly higher among these páramo ferns compared to non-páramo species.
Ferns acquired a gene called neochrome from hornworts, allowing them to thrive in shaded environments. The transfer of this gene helped ferns diversify and flourish under the new canopy, outcompeting flowering plants.
Researchers at Lund University have discovered undestroyed cell nuclei and individual chromosomes in a well-preserved fern fossil from the Jurassic period. The unique preservation is attributed to the sudden burial of the plant in a volcanic eruption, providing valuable insights into ancient evolutionary stability.
The Field Museum is receiving a $115,000 grant to digitize 75,000 fern herbarium specimens from the Americas and digitally photograph 7,000 fossilized ferns from North America. This project will also provide training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate interns to participate in collection digitizing activities.
A mysterious parasitoid wasp, Seleucus cuneiformis, has been found on a rare European fern sawfly, Blasticotoma filiceti. The study, published in Journal of Hymenoptera Research, reveals the unusual biology of this parasite, including its symbiotic relationship with ants, which live in symbiosis based on food for protection.
Researchers found that bracken ferns release minimal amounts of volatile compounds when attacked by herbivores. However, treatment with plant hormone jasmonic acid induces a response similar to flowering plants, releasing terpenoids.
A new genus of ferns has been discovered, with 19 species named after pop star Lady Gaga. The 'Gaga' ferns were recognized for their unique characteristics, including fluid definitions of gender and a distinct DNA sequence spelling GAGA.
Scientists discovered Lepidopteris baodensis, a 251-million-year-old seed fern with subepidermal swellings that may have allowed it to survive in hot, arid environments. The finding expands knowledge of the genus' biology and taxonomy, as well as its relationship to other plant species.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new system that combines computer vision, machine learning, and automated planning to improve operations in various industries. The system is based on analyzing football plays and can be applied to tasks such as factory efficiency, airport operation, and nursing care.
Recent botanical exploration efforts in the Marquesas Islands have yielded 62 new species, including 18 newly described ferns and flowering plants. The discoveries bring the total native species to 360 and provide critical information for conservation.
A study published in HortScience found that 86 indoor plant species can remove formaldehyde from the air, with ferns proving to be the most effective. The top-performing species, including the Japanese royal fern, showed a significant ability to neutralize formaldehyde and improve indoor air quality.
Researchers found that ferns in the northern end of the redwood forest ecosystem are better equipped to absorb fog water than those in the southern region. This has important implications for the structure of plant communities and how ecosystems function during drought periods. The study suggests that native ferns may be able to acclim...
A team from Ascension Island's Conservation Department rediscovered the long-thought-extinct parsley fern, Anogramma ascensionis. The fern was found on a knife-edge ridge and has been successfully relocated to sterile conditions for cultivation.
Scientists have isolated a gene that allows Pteris vittata ferns to tolerate high levels of arsenic, a toxic metal. This gene enables the plant to accumulate and store arsenic in its fronds, effectively cleaning up contaminated soils and waters.
Researchers have discovered a way to create superhydrophobic surfaces based on water ferns, which could reduce friction and save up to 1% of global fuel consumption. The coating is made possible by the unique properties of the plant's hairs, which are hydrophobic but also have hydrophilic tips that 'staple' water in place.
A new DNA barcoding technique has found that many garden ferns sold at nurseries are actually exotic species from other parts of the world. The technique identified three species of ferns as mistakenly labeled, with over 50% of collected plants being incorrectly identified.
Researchers found that dehydrin proteins play a key role in helping plants like the resurrection fern survive up to 95% water loss, allowing water to act as a lubricant between cell walls. This discovery could lead to developing drought-resistant crops by localizing and transferring the dehydrin gene.
Researchers at Duke University found that ferns diversified significantly during the Cretaceous period, when flowering plants dominated plant communities. Ferns adapted by developing the ability to live on light with a red spectrum and becoming epiphytes, thriving in tree canopies.
Researchers found that ferns diversified in response to low-light conditions created by the rise of flowering plants, leading to over 10,000 living species. The study, funded by NSF, uses genetic and fossil analysis to reveal the evolutionary history of ferns and angiosperms.
Research by Michael Gundale found that non-native earthworms can endager rare plants like the goblin fern, which relies on fungi for energy. The study discovered a link between earthworm presence and thinner forest floors, threatening the long-term survival of these unique plant species.
Researchers found a mass extinction event occurred less than 30 thousand years before giant theropod dinosaurs emerged, linked to an asteroid or comet impact. The discovery was made in lake sediments from the Newark Supergroup basins, showing a quadrupling of iridium abundance and fern spore spikes.
Researchers have found a fern that can soak up deadly arsenic from soil with staggering efficiency. The brake fern, Pteris vittata, accumulates high levels of arsenic, making it a promising candidate for cleaning up contaminated soils. This discovery has great potential for remediating toxic waste sites around the world.
The latest Ecology journal edition examines the survival of Yellowstone grizzly bears, which remain threatened despite intensive management. Ferns also play a crucial role in determining forest composition by filtering tree growth rates. Earthworms shed light on plant responses to climate change through their nutrient-rich castings.