Antheridiogen concentration and spore size predict gametophyte size inCeratopteris richardii

Abstract

In many plants females invest more in reproduction than males. In organisms that exhibit environmental sex determination, individuals in low-quality environments or who are slow growing are expected to develop into males. The gametophytes of Ceratopteris richardii Brongn., a homosporous fern, may develop as males or hermaphrodites. Hermaphrodites secrete a pheromone called antheridiogen that induces undifferentiated spores to develop as males. Given that induction is not 100% in the presence of antheridiogen, it is hypothesized that resources may alter C. richardii gender decisions. An experiment was undertaken to determine (i) whether spore size predicts gender, (ii) whether spore size predicts gametophyte size, (iii) whether antheridiogen negatively affects the growth of C. richardii, and (iv) whether wild-type C. richardii and him1 mutants (genetic mutants disposed to male development regardless of antheridiogen presence) behave similarly in their response to antheridiogen. Spore size was not predictive of gender but was positively related to both male and hermaphrodite gametophyte size. Antheridiogen was found to slow the growth of male and hermaphrodite gametophytes of the wild type and male gametophytes of the him1 mutant. These results are supportive of the idea that gender may be determined indirectly through antheridiogen’s effect on gametophyte growth.