Skip to main content

Chemically mediated interactions among juvenile mosses as possible determinants of their community structure

Journal of Chemical Ecology volume 7, pages 367–376 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

A field study of the distribution patterns of six closely related species of mosses along a complex altitudinal gradient found evidence suggesting differential aggressiveness among juveniles rather than evidence of differential competitive abilities among adults of the species. Work by Bopp (1963, 1968) on the moss phytohormone, factor H, suggests a means by which such interactions might be mediated. An experimental system is proposed through which the effect of patterns of early moss development upon the determination of moss community structure may be assessed.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Basile, D.V. 1972. A method for surface-sterilizing small plant parts.Bull Torrey Bot. Cl. 99:313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beutelmann, P., andBauer, L. 1977. Purification and identification of a cytokinin from moss callus cells.Planta 133:217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bopp, M. 1959. Versuche zur Analyse von Wachstum and Differenzierung des Laubmoos protonemas.Planta 53:178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bopp, M. 1963. Development of the protonema and bud formation in mosses.J. Linn. Soc. (Bot.) 58:305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bopp, M. 1968. Control of differentiation in fern-allies and bryophytes.Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 19:361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bopp, M., andKnoop, B. 1974. Regulation de la differenciation chez le protonema des Mousses.Bull Soc. Bot. France 121:145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bratton, S.P. 1976. Resource division in an understory herb community: responses to temporal and microtopographic gradients.Am. Nat. 110:679.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forcier, L.K. 1975. Strategies and the co-occurrence of climax tree species.Science 189:808.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glime, J.M. 1970. Zonation of bryophytes in headwaters of a New Hampshire stream.Rhodora 72:276–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, J.L., Williams, J.T., andSagar, G.R. 1965. The behavior of seeds in soil. I. The heterogeneity of soil surfaces and its role in determining the establishment of plants from seeds.J. Ecol. 53:273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, G.E. 1978. An Introduction to Population Ecology. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut 260 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutner, S.H. 1953. Comparative physiology of heterotrophic growth in plants,in W.E. Loomis (ed.). Growth and Differentiation in Plants, pp. 417–446, Iowa State College Press, Ames, Iowa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein, B. 1967. Versuche sur Analyse der Protonemaentwicklung der Laubmoose. IV. Mitteilung. Der endogene Faktor H und seine Rolle bei der Morphogenese vonFunaria hygrometrica.Planta 73:12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knoop, B., Hahn, H., andBopp, M. 1969. Charakterisierung des Regeneration-sprozesses im Caulonema eines Mooses durch autoradiographische Bestimmung der DNS-Synthese.Planta 88:288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menon, M.K.C., andLal, M. 1974. Morphogenic role of kinetic and abscisic acid in the mossPhycomitrium.Planta 115:319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nehlsen, W. 1979. New method for examining induction of moss buds by cytokinin.Am. J. Bot. 66:601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrish, J.A.D., andBazzaz, F.A. 1976. Underground niche separation in successional plants.Ecology 58:1281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pianka, E.R. 1974. Niche overlap and diffuse competition.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 71:2141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M.A., andHarper, J.L. 1965. Occupation of biological space during seedling establishment.J. Ecol. 53:273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiess, L.D., Lippincott, B.B., andLippincott, J.A. 1971. Development and gametophore initiation in the mossPylaisiella selwynii as influenced byAgrobacterium tumefaciens.Am. J. Bot. 58:726.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiess, L.D., Lippincott, B.B. andLippincott, J.A. 1972. Influence of certain plant growth regulators and crown gall related substances on bud formation and gametophore development of the mossPylaisiella selwynii.Am. J. Bot. 59:233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiess, L.D., Lippincott, B.B., andLippincott, J.A. 1973. Effect of hormones and vitamin B12 on gametophore development in the mossPylaisiella selwynii.Am. J. Bot. 60:708.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitt, D.H., andSlack, N.G. 1975. An analysis of the vegetation ofSphagnum dominated kettle-hole bogs in relation to environmental gradients.Can. J. Bot. 53:332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M.A. 1979. Age structure and mortality within a group of closely related mosses.Ecology 60:988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M.A. 1980a. Shifts in patterns of microhabitat occupation along a complex altitudinalgradient.Oecologia 47:46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M.A. 1980b. Patterns of habitat occupation in mosses—relevance to considerations of the niche.Bull. Torrey Bot. Cl. 107:346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M.A. 1980c. Patterns of microhabitat occupation of six closely related species of mosses along a complex altitudinal gradient.Ecology In press.

  • Werner, P.A. 1976. Ecology of plant populations in successional environments.Syst. Bot. 1:246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, P.A., andPlatt, W.J. 1976. Ecological relationships of cooccurring goldenrods.Am. Nat. 110:959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R.H. 1967. Gradient analysis of vegetation.Biol. Rev. 42:207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R.H. 1977. Evolution of species diversity in land communities.Evol. Biol. 10:1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R.H., Levin, S.A., andRoot, R.B. 1973. Niche, habitat and ecotype.Am. Nat. 107:321.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Maxine A. Watson

    Present address: Department of Biology, Indiana University, 47405, Bloomington, Indiana

Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Utah, 84112, Salt Lake City, Utah

    Maxine A. Watson

Authors
  1. Maxine A. Watson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Watson, M.A. Chemically mediated interactions among juvenile mosses as possible determinants of their community structure. J Chem Ecol 7, 367–376 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00995759

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00995759

Key words

  • Juvenile interactions
  • community structure
  • mosses
  • Polytrichaccae phytohormones