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Ferns have unique lifecycles in which there are two distinct, free living stages that are distinguished by differences in size, chromosome number, physiology, and body plan. The smaller stage, the gametophyte, has a half set of chromosomes and reproduces sexually, while the larger "fern-like" sporophyte has a full set of chromosomes and reproduce via spores. This life history strategy allows us to ask interesting questions about physiology, sex, and ploidy.
Current projects
Current projects
Reproductive timing
Reproductive timing
How does stress affect the costs and benefits of the reproductive choices available to individuals?
How does stress affect the costs and benefits of the reproductive choices available to individuals?
Using fern gametophytes of the wood fern genus Dryopteris, we are investigating the impact of short-term and chronic stress on reproductive decisions and the production of sporophytes.
Sexual and Asexual reproduction
Sexual and Asexual reproduction
How does the origin of a sporophyte affect comparative phsyiological functioning?
How does the origin of a sporophyte affect comparative phsyiological functioning?
Using Cystopteris bulbifera, we are exploring the balance between asexual reproduction directly via vegetative bublets and sexual reproduction via a gametophyte generation. We are also curious about the co-germination behavior of spores and bulblets when grown together.
Ploidal response to stress
Ploidal response to stress
How do species of different ploidal levels respond to and recover from complex stressors?
How do species of different ploidal levels respond to and recover from complex stressors?
Using the polyploid Dryopteris complex, we investigated the ecological and transcriptomic response of fern gametophytes to complex stressors.
NSF proposal title:
Collaborative Research: Understanding the effects of ploidal level on reponses to global change in plants
NSF number: 1725458
Blake-Mahmud, Sessa, Visger, and Watkins, New Phytologist 2024
Comparative Physiology
Comparative Physiology
How do recurrent triploid hybrids function physiologically and ecologically compared to their parents?
How do recurrent triploid hybrids function physiologically and ecologically compared to their parents?
Using related wood fern species, we are comparing the physiological functioning of triploid sporophytes to their diploid and tretraploid progenitors.
Blake-Mahmud and Watkins 2022
Social sex determination in the wild
Social sex determination in the wild
To what extent do we see evidence of sex-determining chemicals impacting sex ratios and patterns in ferns in the wild?
To what extent do we see evidence of sex-determining chemicals impacting sex ratios and patterns in ferns in the wild?
Using the tree fern genus Cyathea, we investigated the patterns of sex expression in tip-up mounds in Costa Rica. This work was done by Aidan Harrington, a current graduate student in the Moller Lab.
Harrington, Blake-Mahmud, and Watkins (2022)
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