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Poikilohydry in mosses: an ecological limitation or opportunity?
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Poikilohydry in mosses: an ecological limitation or opportunity? Introduction The most significant evolutionary event in the history of the plant kingdom began with the migration of aquatic photosynthetic organisms on to land approximately 475 Myr ago 1,2. Terrestrial embryophytes (referred to as embryophytes) derived from algal ancestors constitute two divisions, the bryophytes (lacking vascular tissue) and the tracheophytes (possessing vascular conducting tissues) 2. The evolutionary transition from aquatic photoautotrophs heralded the innovation of morphological and physiological characteristics critical for success in the terrestrial habitat, and consequent diversification of land plants. It has been hypothesised that early bryophyte related groups pioneered the transition from water to life on land 1,2,4. The mosses appear to be among the most ancient divisions of the land plants. Fossils of spores and gametophytes dating from the Mid Ordivician (~476 Myr) and Mid Sliurian (~432 Myr) have been discovered that closely resemble some modern bryophytes 4. Furthermore, the...
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