A liverwort, Riccia sp L.

~Currently investigated with an expert, Dr. Jeffrey  G. Duckett

01/2018``Look at how the lobe like- thalli are dissected....like a foliose lichen.

03/05/2018~~   Underside are black dots ...  This species is a wetland liverwort.  Wetlands as far as I know include temporary wetland where vegetation exists on it... like mosses , liverworts, etc. in photos.   Other characteristics of this species below can support it.

Fields (2X2 feet per field) of ...worts.  There are a number of species for Riccia.

Observations:

Extremely water dependent. In its absence (no more rain), these (what you see in the photos) will disappear in a split of time ( within 24 hours +). In two fields,  I scouted for them and I could not find any.. once they were robustly growing. Therefore it qualifies as a "Wetland Liverwort":  Strictly. I really haven't seen any debris of their thalli during their disappearance. I am observing for their resurgence in one field by watering it. I don't think the usual water is enough. No growth yet. On the other hand in two fields where the soil are sufficiently damp, there is sustainable growth. Water sensitive (only to the visible green thallus*) but drought resistant.  What species do you think this specimen belongs??

Photos will soon be posted regarding the resurgence of a small area of  Riccia sp. after watering it once daily. Also there are "mounds"  (photo of this will be posted soon) of these Riccia sp. in soil without the green thalli.  In one article, Duckett et al. (2014) mentioned that  the cell walls were dead in rhizoids during dry conditions.  To my surprise, just today, I read in literatures  (2005, 2015, 2017) in the internet that a liverwort is a source of an apoptopic inducing substance and may even be a promising one for leukaemic cells.  

Three mounds where Riccia sp. grew -"as hard as rock." They may appear like "fossilized"  if your eyes are bright enough to see.

Resurgence of Riccia sp. was observed in the morning underneath a Clitoria ternatea, where I watered once a day-- just a one pail. I made a canopy clearing to see them.

In the afternoon, I visited the same area, no more Riccia sp. See the stone (on left) as the marking point. Even less than 24 hours.

More keywords in addition to apoptosis: dry induced dormancy, water induced growth hormone gene, cellular re- configuration of the thalli in case it plays dead for a while. molecular resurgence (why anti drought?).  I had worked with lower forms such as lichens, myxomycetes, bits of mosses but this is the first time that I've known a specimen of lower form such as "magical" as this. 

Overnight Sensation

Early morning the sites were watered and these were seen. I don't know if there was rain (overnight) or a drizzle but for less than 24 hours the green thalli appeared (in various intensities). I think the scientific show will end here. A good lesson for those who want to know more about the liverworts such as this species.

 Three mounds previously described above now have the green thalli showing.. intensity greater in periphery than in the center.

 Compare this photo with those above and the  stone to the left as the marker- Observe the resurgence of the green thalli.  Resurgence may refer either to new thalli/plant or the old ones or both. There is a clear information how the thalli die and this is maybe where the "tissular apoptosis"  comes in. (see discussions ++ for Australian Bryophytes)

Last keyword: Cellular adaptation.  For the future budding scientists in this area- Do not let the liverworts trick you,  You trick the liverworts by molecular and cellular dissection/analysis- find their "magic".