Lecanopteris sinuosa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lecanopteris sinuosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Suborder: | Polypodiineae |
| Family: | Polypodiaceae |
| Genus: | Lecanopteris |
| Species: | L. sinuosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Lecanopteris sinuosa Wall. ex. Hook. | |
Lecanopteris sinuosa is a fern that belongs to the fern genus Lecanopteris. This epiphytic plant has a mutualistic relationship with stingless shelter ants, which makes it a myrmecophyte.[1]
The ant species associated with L. sinuosa belong within the genera Crematogaster, Technomyrmex or Iridomyrmex.[2] The ants rear their larvae within the rhizome for protection, and in turn, L. sinuosa receives nutritional benefit from feces and other debris left behind by the plants.[1] It is also suggested that L. sinuosa benefits from increased protection from herbivory and increased spore dispersal.[3]
Lecanopteris sinuosa belongs in the subgenus Myrmecopteris (comprising four species total),[4] which is characterized by ferns that have peltate scales and sori that are deeply immersed on the pinnae.[1]
The unique rhizome structure of L. sinuosa allows it to maintain a mutualistic relationship with ants. As the plant is young, the rhizome is solid (without cavities), but as it matures, the thin walled parenchyma cells begin to hollow.[1] These cells become infused with phlopaphene (a deep brown strengthening substance), which causes the rhizome to appear rock-like.
