Genetic variation and sexual reproduction in a moss with dwarf males, Homalothecium lutescens
Popular Abstract in Swedish GENETISK VARIATION OCH SEXUELL REPRODUKTION I EN MOSSA MED DVÄRGHANNAR, KALKLOCKMOSSA Mycket små hannar (dvs. dvärghannar) finns i flera olika djurgrupper men inom landväxterna bara hos mossor. Hos mossor uppstår dvärghannarna ifrån hansporer som landar och gror på honskottet där de inte blir större än några millimeter. Sporerna bildas inuti sporkapseln, som växer ut ifDwarf males occur in many unrelated groups of organisms. Among land plants they are unique to mosses. Moss dwarf males originate from male spores that land and germinate on the female where their final size is restricted to a few mm. Fertilization in mosses occur over short distances with swimming spermatozoids. Having the males growing as tiny epiphytes on the females facilitates fertilization, a