The Hymenophyllaceae are epiphytic ferns with unique traits among vascular plants. Their fronds have only one layer of cells, they lack stomata and they are desiccation tolerant. Previous evidence suggests that rehydration may be faster through the leaves than through the rhizome, and the acquisition of nutrients in this family is unknown. Here, we present first results from a water+nitrogen isotope labelling experiment, aimed to determine their water and N source. Fronds and rhizomes of specimens from Hymenophyllum tortuosum were inmersed in 1 mg/L N solutions with contrasting isotope composition: natural abundance (H2O +NO3NH4), DHO+15NO3NH4, and DHO+NO315NH4. Results from DHO labelling suggested similar water uptake in rhizome and fronds, but higher transport rates from the frond to the rhizome than viceversa. However, the results were inconclusive, since we also observed indirect labelling of unexposed control plants through atmospheric water uptake. With regard to N, we found similar uptake and transport rates in fronds and rhizomes, but contrasting patterns for NO3 and NH4. Whereas the uptake of labelled N in the inmersed part (15N-excess) was ca. 10-fold larger for NH4 than for NO3, transfer to the unexposed part (15-excess ratios) was ca. 30-fold larger for NO3 than for NH4. Although preliminary, our results indicate differential ability for uptake and transport of NO3, NH4 and water, which we expect to confirm through in-field labelling experiments.
The Hymenophyllaceae are epiphytic ferns with unique traits among vascular plants. Their fronds have only one layer of cells, they lack stomata and they are desiccation tolerant. Previous evidence suggests that rehydration may be faster through the leaves than through the rhizome, and the acquisition of nutrients in this family is unknown. Here, we present first results from a water+nitrogen isotope labelling experiment, aimed to determine their water and N source. Fronds and rhizomes of specimens from Hymenophyllum tortuosum were inmersed in 1 mg/L N solutions with contrasting isotope composition: natural abundance (H2O +NO3NH4), DHO+15NO3NH4, and DHO+NO315NH4. Results from DHO labelling suggested similar water uptake in rhizome and fronds, but higher transport rates from the frond to the rhizome than viceversa. However, the results were inconclusive, since we also observed indirect labelling of unexposed control plants through atmospheric water uptake. With regard to N, we found similar uptake and transport rates in fronds and rhizomes, but contrasting patterns for NO3 and NH4. Whereas the uptake of labelled N in the inmersed part (15N-excess) was ca. 10-fold larger for NH4 than for NO3, transfer to the unexposed part (15-excess ratios) was ca. 30-fold larger for NO3 than for NH4. Although preliminary, our results indicate differential ability for uptake and transport of NO3, NH4 and water, which we expect to confirm through in-field labelling experiments.