Differential Effects of Desiccation on Hornworts with Contrasting Life Histories in Tropical Montane Forests: A Functional Trait—Based Perspective

Desiccation tolerance (DT) is the ability of an organism or structure to dry completely and subsequently survive in that air-dry state. Hornworts are excellent plant models study desiccation effects as they have contrasting life histories which likely associated with DT. We tested whether (1) epiphytic species had more efficient DT responses drying postrehydration than non-epiphytic (2) “green” spores were sensitive non-green extreme drying. Hornwort collected from Atlantic Forest Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. studied five (gametophytes spores: Dendroceros crispus, D. crispatus, Nothoceros vincentianus, Phaeoceros carolinianus; only Anthoceros lamellatus), using different relative humidity values, durations, conditions. All treatments affected chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) gametophytes, species-specific responses. crispatus crispus (epiphytes) performed better P. carolinianus N. fast recovery Fv/Fm values postrehydration. The A. lamellatus green support led us reject our second hypothesis. strategies hornworts highlighted trade-offs important spore dispersal establishment, such colonization spp. potential soil banks species.