The moss Bryum argenteum var. muticum Brid. is well adapted

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TitleThe moss Bryum argenteum var. muticum Brid. is well adapted to cope with high light in continental AntarcticaAbstractThe net photosynthetic rate (NP), chlorophyll fluorescence, carotenoid content and chlorophyll content of the cosmopolitan moss Bryum argenteum were measured in the field at Botany Bay, southern Victoria Land, continental Antarctica (77Â DegreesS). Comparisons were made between sun- and shade-adapted forms, and changes were followed as the moss emerged from under the snow and during exposure of shade and sun forms to ambient light. Shade forms had lower light compensation and saturation values for NP but little difference in maximal NP rates. Shade forms exposed to ambient light changed rapidly (within five days) towards the performance of the sun forms. Surprisingly, this change was not by acclimation of shoots but by the production of new shoots. Chlorophyll and carotenoid levels measured on a molar chlorophyll basis showed no difference between sun and shade forms and also little change during emergence. The constant molar relationship between carotenoids and chlorophyll plus the high levels of the xanthophyll cycle pigments suggest that protection of the chlorophyll antenna was constitutive. This is an adaptation to the very high light levels that occur when the plants are active in continental Antarctica and contrasts to the situation in more temperate areas where high light is normally avoided by desiccation. Â© 2012 Antarctic Science Ltd.Funding DetailsPOL2006-08405; CTM2009-12838-C04-01; University of Waikato; Antarctica New Zealand; IPN, Instituto PolitÃ©cnico Nacional; SCHR 473/4-3, DFG, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

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1st AuthorSchroeter, B. AuthorSchroeter, B.Green, T.Kulle, D.Pannewitz, S.Schlensog, M.Sancho, L.Year2012JournalAntarctic ScienceVolume24Number3Pages281-291DOI10.1017/S095410201200003XURLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/recor.....29c4bbc1f4d83a631c8bd6901Keywordsadaptationcarotenoidchlorophyllfluorescencelight intensitymossphotosynthesisshade tolerance, Antarctica, BryophytaBryum argenteumAuthor Keywordsacclimationcarotenoidschlorophyll fluorescenceglutathionephotosynthesisVAZ

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CitationSchroeter, B., Green, T., Kulle, D., Pannewitz, S., Schlensog, M. and Sancho, L. (2012). The moss Bryum argenteum var. muticum Brid. is well adapted to cope with high light in continental Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 24(3):281-291