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ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS IN FERNS: MECHANISMS AND SIGNIFICANCE
Author(s) -
SHEFFIELD By E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
biological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.993
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1469-185X
pISSN - 1464-7931
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-185x.1994.tb01275.x
Subject(s) - fern , alternation (linguistics) , gametophyte , biology , bracken , evolutionary biology , botany , linguistics , philosophy , pollen
Summary Arguments against the compiling of generalized life cycles summarizing alternation of generations in ferns are presented, and some common misconceptions about breeding systems addressed. What little is known or can be deduced about time frames, mechanisms and significance of alternation events in the lives of two species: bracken fern ( Pteridium ) and Killarney fern ( Trichomanes speciosum ) is presented. Evidence is provided that gametophytes may play a more important role in survival of both these species than previously suspected, and the need for more long‐term studies and experiments/measurements of ferns in natural conditions/populations is stressed.