Ella O. Campbell

The pyrenoid is the site of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase accumulation in the hornwort (Bryophyta: Anthocerotae) chloroplast

SummaryChloroplasts of many species of hornworts (Anthocerotae) have a structure that resembles the pyrenoid of green algae but whether these two structures are homologous has not been determined. We utilized immunogold labelling on thin sections to determine the distribution of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), the major protein of algal pyrenoids, in sixteen hornwort species with and without pyrenoids. Several species (Phaeoceros laevis, Anthoceros punctatus, A. formosae, A. laminiferus, Folioceros fuciformis, Folioceros sp.,Dendroceros tubercularis, D. japonicus, D. validus, Notothylas orbicularis, N. temperata, andSpaerosporoceros adscendens) have uniplastidic (or primarily uniplastidic) cells with large prominent multiple pyrenoids. In all of these species, the labelling is found exclusively in the pyrenoid and, with the exception of theFolioceros, Dendroceros, andNotothylas species, the labelling is randomly distributed throughout the pyrenoid. In the exceptional species, the pyrenoids have prominent pyrenoglobuli or other inclusions that are unlabelled. InMegaceros flagellaris andM. longispirus, the cells are multiplastidic (with the exception of the apical cell and some epidermal cells) and the chloroplasts lack pyrenoids.Anthoceros fusiformis andPhaeoceros coriaceus have primarily uniplastidic cells but the chloroplasts lack pyrenoids; only an area of stroma in the center of the plastid devoid of starch, reminiscent of a pyrenoid, is found. In all of the species lacking pyrenoids, RuBisCo is found throughout the stroma, including the stromal spaces made by the so-called channel thylakoids. No preferential accumulation of RuBisCo is found in the pyrenoid-like region inA. fusiformis andP. coriaceus. These data indicate that 1) the hornwort pyrenoid is homologous to algal pyrenoids in the presence of RuBisCo; 2) that at least some of the RuBisCo in the pyrenoid must represent an active form of the enzyme; and 3) that, in the absence of pyrenoids, the RuBisCo is distributed throughout the stroma, as in higher plants.

Long chain alkyl phenols from the liverwort Schistochila appendiculata

Abstract 3-Undecyl phenol, 6-undecyl salicylic acid and potassium 6-undecyl salicylate were isolated from the New Zealand liverwort Schistochila appendiculata . 3-Tridecyl and 3-pentadecyl phenol, 6-tridecyl and 6-pentadecyl salicylic acid, potassium 6-tridecyl and 6-pentadecyl salicylate and 6-undecyl catechol were also detected in the same species. The chemical constitution of S. appendiculata is quite similar to that of the brown algae Caulocystis species, and of the higher plants Ginkgo biloba and some of the Anacardia species. The allergic reaction brought on by S. appendiculata might be due to the presence of these phenolic compounds.

Phytochemical support for the existence of two species in the genus Hymenophyton

Abstract Evidence based on flavonoid constituents is cited in support of the existence of two species in the genus Hymenophyton, H. flabellatum and H. leptopodum. A number of apigenin 6,8-di-C-pentosides and pentoside-hexosides are common to both species but the proposed additional species, H. leptopodum, is distinguished from H. flabellatum by the presence of kaempferol di- and triglycosides. This is the first detailed study of the flavonoid chemistry of any member of the order Metzgeriales and the significance of the findings is discussed.

Isotachin c and balantiolide two aromatic compounds from the new zealand liverwort balantiopsis rosea

Abstract Isotachin C and balantiolide, two new aromatic compounds, were isolated from the New Zealand liverwort Balantiopsis rosea. Their structures were established to be 2-methoxybenzyl trans-β-methylthioacrylate and 3-[3′,4′-dimethoxybenzyl]-7-hydroxy-5-methoxyphthalide, respectively, by spectral methods. The previously known isotachin A, isotachin B, benzoates, cinnamates and sesquiterpenoids were also found. B. rosea is chemically quite close to Isotachis japonica.

Terpenoids and bibenzyls from some New Zealand liverworts

Abstract Four liverworts, Marchantia berteroana, M. foliacea, Plagiochila stephensoniana and Porella elegantula collected in New Zealand were chemically investigated. M. berteroana contains cuparene and (−)-2-hydroxycuparene as the major components. γ-Cadinene is the major component of M. foliacea . 4-Hydroxy-3′-methoxybibenzyl is a chemical marker for P. stephensoniana which belongs to the non-pungent type of Plagiochila species. P. elegantula synthesizes perrottetianal and belongs to the non-pungent type of Porella species.

Identification of Plant Fragments and Pollen from Peat deposits in Rangitaiki Plains and Maketu Basins

Abstract In the Rangitaiki plains and Maketu basins peat deposits, containing dated tephra marker beds (900–5000 yr B.P.), were sampled for plant remains and pollen. The peat is mainly low–moor, sedge peat formed from Baumea. In wetter periods Restionaceae established, and in drier periods Leptospermum and Gleichenia

SCHIZOMERIS—A GROWTH FORM OF STIGEOCLONIUM TENUE (CHLOROPHYTA:CHAETOPHORACEAE)1

Schizomeris leibleinii Kütz. was found as an ecophene of Stigeoclonium tenue (Ag.) Kütz. in Centennial Lake, Palmerston North, New Zealand. The Schizomeris form occurred in autumn when the water was polluted by a large number of ducks. Sampling of the plant population of the lake and culture work showed that S. tenue has a high degree of polymorphism. Other forms of it which developed both in the lake and in culture were indistinguishable from Protoderma Kütz. emend. Borzi, from Uronema Lagerheim, or from Pearsoniella Fritsch and Rich, respectively.

Liverworts collected in Fiji by A. C. Smith and W. Greenwood

Abstract A list is given of 124 species of liverworts collected by A. C. Smith and W. Greenwood in Fiji. New combinations are Plagiochila belangeriana var. heterospina (Plagiochila heterospina Herz. ex Steph. in Icon.), Porella hebridensis (Madotheca hebridensis Steph.), Riccardia plumosa (Sarcomitrium plumosum Mitt.), Riccardia vitiensis (Aneura vitiensis Steph.), Telaranea bisetula (Lepidozia bisetula Steph.). Leptocolea vitiensis n.sp. is erected.

Problems in the origin and classification of bryophytes with particular reference to liverworts

Summary The origin of bryophytes remains a problem. Special features which are of importance in classification of the group are the clonal nature of many populations and the plasticity of many species.

A study of chloroplast structure in 3 Megaceros species and 3 Dendroceros species (Anthocerotae) indigenous to New Zealand

Abstract Investigation of the chloroplast in three species of Megaceros by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed random distribution of starch and absence of a pyrenoid. Of three Dendroceros species similarly investigated, one resembled the Megaceros species, the second had a deeply convoluted and widely channelled pyrenoid with oil as the reserve material, the third showed a range of forms from one with a widely channelled, convoluted pyrenoid surrounded by a starch envelope through intermediate types to one in which the pyrenoid had extremely narrow channels and no starch envelope.