Among- and within-genus variability of the UV-absorption capacity in saxicolous mosses

  1. Hespanhol, H. 1
  2. Fabón, G. 2
  3. Monforte, L. 2
  4. Martínez-Abaigar, J. 2
  5. Núñez-Olivera, E. 2
  1. 1 Universidade Do Porto
    info

    Universidade Do Porto

    Oporto, Portugal

    ROR https://ror.org/043pwc612

  2. 2 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

Revista:
Bryologist

ISSN: 0007-2745

Año de publicación: 2014

Volumen: 117

Número: 1

Páginas: 1-9

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.1639/0007-2745-117.1.001 SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-84899882636 WoS: WOS:000335285900001 GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Otras publicaciones en: Bryologist

Resumen

We studied the among- and within-genus variability of UV protection in 23 mosses belonging to the genera Andreaea, Grimmia and Racomitrium, which were collected from sun-exposed rocks in northern and central Portugal mountains. We explored the influence of genus, species and environmental factors on their UV-absorption capacity, differentiating the soluble UV-absorbing compounds (SUVAC, mainly located in the vacuoles) and the insoluble ones (WUVAC, bound to the cell wall). All the physiological variables were significantly affected by both the genus and the species, which clearly reflects the influence of genetics on the levels and compartmentation of UV-absorbing compounds (UVAC). The physiological variables analyzed were also significantly influenced by both micro- (for example, substrate and orientation) and macro-scale (chain of mountains) variables. In addition, this study showed the interaction between genetics and the environmental factors known to enhance UV exposure (for example, higher altitudes and lower latitudes and slopes) on the level and compartmentation of UV-absorbing compounds. © The American Bryological and Lichenological Society, Inc.