Relationships between parents and children are complicated. This is not only true for people and animals, but it is also true for plants. In this research paper Dr. David Haig explores the relationship between mothers and their offspring in mosses.
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Haig, D. (2012). Filial mistletoes: the functional morphology of moss sporophytes Annals of Botany, 111 (3), 337-345 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcs295
In mosses the maternal gametophyte plant and the offspring sporophyte have a lifelong relationship. The offspring remain attached to and nutritionally dependent on the maternal plant throughout its lifespan, so nutrition is a major component of their relationship. These shared resources cause a conflict. The maternal plant needs to provide enough nutrients and water to the developing offspring for it to grow and mature, however, if the offspring takes too much the maternal plant may die. The offspring, on the other hand, is out to maximize its growth, despite any negative effects to the maternal plant. Haig goes into a more detailed discussion of the genetics behind this conflict, but what particularly interests me are his interpretations of moss structures and their functions in light of this conflict.
Stomata are cells with an opening between them. These pores enable gas to enter the leaves for photosynthesis in many plants. Additionally water escapes from the plant through these pores, drawing up water from the roots to the leaves. Haig's interpretation for mosses is that the stomata in the capsule are helping the sporophyte offspring to pull water and nutrients from the maternal gametophyte at higher rates. Thus increasing the resources that it is able to acquire. Often the photosynthesis explantation for moss stomata function is invoked, but I think that this is a really good alternative hypothesis for the stomata on moss sporophytes. As Haig so aptly said, "Sporophytes suck."
He also interprets the moss calyptra in light of this struggle between offspring and maternal plant. I am running a little late for game night, so the rest of this discussion is to be continued...
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Haig, D. (2012). Filial mistletoes: the functional morphology of moss sporophytes Annals of Botany, 111 (3), 337-345 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcs295| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| This is a figure that I am working on for a paper that I am writing. It is still a work in progress. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement feel free to leave them at the end of the post. |
Stomata are cells with an opening between them. These pores enable gas to enter the leaves for photosynthesis in many plants. Additionally water escapes from the plant through these pores, drawing up water from the roots to the leaves. Haig's interpretation for mosses is that the stomata in the capsule are helping the sporophyte offspring to pull water and nutrients from the maternal gametophyte at higher rates. Thus increasing the resources that it is able to acquire. Often the photosynthesis explantation for moss stomata function is invoked, but I think that this is a really good alternative hypothesis for the stomata on moss sporophytes. As Haig so aptly said, "Sporophytes suck."
He also interprets the moss calyptra in light of this struggle between offspring and maternal plant. I am running a little late for game night, so the rest of this discussion is to be continued...
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
