关键词:
Gametophytes
Spores
Ferns
Sporophytes
Plants
Spore germination
Diploidy
Evolutionary genetics
摘要:
Ceratopteris (Parkeriaceae) is a pantropical genus of annual ferns possessing several features that make it exceptionally useful as a model plant system. The uniqueness of the homosporous fern life cycle allows the study of various phenomena at both the developmentally simple haploid gametophyte stage and at the complex vascular sporophyte stage. Consequently, both cellular and whole plant studies can be carried out simultaneously in a genetically natural and stable system. In genetic approaches, the ability to screen large numbers of mutagenized spores, along with the simple haploid genetics possible with the gametophyte stage and the ability to generate complete homozygotes from a single selfing, provide a powerful means of rapidly isolating and studying mutations. Ceratopteris gametophytes are developmentally simple. However, because they are autotrophic and possess several types of differentiated cells, they offer a number of opportunities for study. Control of germination responses, pattern formation and meristem development, spermatozoid differentiation, apogamy and apospory, pheromonal controls of sexual differentiation, as well as a variety of biochemical/physiological traits can be studied using various approaches. At the same time, the sporophyte provides a typical vascular plant system for study of a variety of developmental, genetic or biochemical/physiological phenomena. Recent and ongoing improvements in culture techniques, along with increased use of molecular approaches, will substantially expand the use of Ceratopteris as a model plant system.