Lecanopteris sinuosa
| Lecanopteris sinuosa | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pteridophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Family: | Polypodiaceae |
| Genus: | Lecanopteris |
| Subgenus: | Myrmecopteris |
| Species: | L. sinuosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Lecanopteris sinuosa Wall. ex. Hook. | |
Lecanopteris sinuosa Wall. ex Hook. (Polypodiaceae) is a fern that belongs to the unique ant-fern genus, Lecanopteris. This epiphytic plant has a mutualistic relationship with stingless shelter ants, which makes it a myrmecophyte.[1]
The ant species associated with L. sinuosa belong within the genera Crematogaster, Technomyrmex or Iridomyrmex.[2] The ants rear their larvae within the rhizome for protection, and in turn, L. sinuosa receives nutritional benefit from feces and other debris left behind by the plants.[1] It is also suggested that L. sinuosa benefits from increased protection from herbivory and increased spore dispersal.[3]
L. sinuosa belongs in the subgenus Myrmecopteris (comprising four species total),[4] which is characterized by ferns that have peltate scales and sori that are deeply immersed on the pinnae.[1]
Rhizome morphology
The unique rhizome structure of L. sinuosa allows it to maintain a mutualistic relationship with ants. As the plant is young, the rhizome is solid (without cavities), but as it matures, the thin walled parenchyma cells begin to hollow [1]. These cells become infused with phlopaphene (a deep brown strengthening substance), which causes the rhizome to appear rock-like.
Phylogeny
The monophyletic genus, Lecanopteris, is in the fern family, Polypodicaeae. It comprises two sub-genera: Lecanopteris and Myrmecopteris. The genus comprises 13 species total, all of which have rhizomes associated with ants.[1][4] Subgenus Lecanopteris is monophyletic, and Myrmecopteris is paraphyletic and contains L. sinuosa. Within the sub-genus, L. sinuosa is sister to Lecanopteris crustacea, Lecanopteris lomarioides, and sub-genus Lecanopteris.[4] This phylogenic relationship was determined based on a tree using parsimony and maximum likelihood combined using genetic sequences from the rbcL gene and the trnL-F non-coding region.[4]
Geographical location
L. sinuosa has been identified in Malesia, Sulawesi (Celebes), Philippines, New Guinea, Moluccas, Indochina, and Vanuatu.[4] It can survive in almost any habitat found in the listed locations except lowland rainforests.[1]
References
- ↑ Gay, Honor. "Rhizome structure and evolution in the ant‐associated epiphytic fern Lecanopteris Reinw.(Polypodiaceae)." Botanical journal of the Linnean Society 113.2 (1993): 135-160.
- ↑ Lok, A. F. S. L., and H. T. W. Tan. "Tuberous, Epiphytic, Rubiaceous myrmecophytes of Singapore." Nature in Singapore 2 (2009): 231-236.
- ↑ Gay, Honor. "Animal‐fed plants: an investigation into the uptake of ant‐derived nutrients by the far‐eastern epiphytic fern Lecanopteris Reinw.(Polypodiaceae)." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 50.3 (1993): 221-233.
- ↑ Haufler, Christopher H., et al. "Systematics of the ant-fern genus Lecanopteris (Polypodiaceae): testing phylogenetic hypotheses with DNA sequences."Systematic Botany 28.2 (2003): 217-227.