Adiantum meishanianum is an endemic species distributed only in Meishan village, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Because its sporangia contain only abortive spores, A. meishanianum has been regarded as having a hybrid origin, presumably with A. caudatum, A. malesianum, and A. philippense as the putative parents. The aim of this study is to confirm the hybrid origin and determine the parental lineages of A. ...

The effect of a hydrophilic extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos (PLE) has been investigated in terms of photoprotection against UV-induced cell damage. PLE efficiently preserved human fibroblast survival and restored their proliferative capability when the cells were exposed to UVA light. This effect was specific and dose-dependent. Photoprotection was not restricted to fibroblasts, as de...

The maintenance of genetic diversity and stochastic losses of diversity during periods of small population size have become major points of concern in conservation biology. However, empirical research on random evolutionary processes in natural plant populations is still scarce and is reviewed here in comparison to our case study on Dryopteris cristata. Detailed recent population histories of t...