JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

First records of Selaginellakraussiana and Selaginellasubcordata from Senegal (Selaginellaceae)

  • 0Laboratoire de Botanique, IFAN Ch. A. Diop, BP 206, Dakar, Senegal Laboratoire de Botanique, IFAN Ch. A. Diop, BP 206 Dakar Senegal.
Biodiversity Data Journal +

|

December 12, 2024

|

December 12, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Two new species of Selaginella, S. kraussiana and S. subcordata, have been identified in Senegal. This finding expands the known distribution of these diverse plants in tropical and subtropical regions.

Area Of Science

  • Botany
  • Plant Taxonomy
  • Biodiversity

Background

  • The Selaginellaceae family comprises approximately 700 species globally, primarily in tropical and subtropical zones.
  • The genus *Selaginella* is cosmopolitan, monophyletic, and characterized by rhizophores, ligulated leaves, and heterospory.
  • Current classification recognizes six to seven subgenera within the *Selaginella* genus.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To report new species records for *Selaginella* in Senegal.
  • To document the ecological traits and distribution of newly identified *Selaginella* species.
  • To contribute to the understanding of plant biodiversity in West Africa.

Main Methods

  • Field collection of plant specimens in Senegal.
  • Identification of *Selaginella* species based on morphological characteristics.
  • Documentation of habitat and altitudinal distribution for each species.

Main Results

  • *Selaginella kraussiana* and *Selaginella subcordata* are newly recorded for Senegal.
  • *S. kraussiana* was found in the Kédougou region.
  • *S. subcordata* was documented in the Kédougou, Tambacounda, and Ziguinchor regions.

Conclusions

  • The discovery of these two *Selaginella* species highlights the botanical richness of Senegal.
  • Further research into the ecological requirements and distribution of *Selaginella* in the region is warranted.
  • This study expands the known geographical range of *S. kraussiana* and *S. subcordata*.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

Asexual Reproduction 02:38

30.2K

Asexual reproduction allows plants to reproduce without growing flowers, attracting pollinators, or dispersing seeds. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent and produced without the fusion of male and female gametes.

Vegetative reproduction is a common type of asexual reproduction, in which detached fragments—such as stems, roots, or leaves—from individual plants develop into complete organisms. Dandelions of the Taraxacum genus use a method of asexual reproduction...

Red Algae 01:23

0

Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores 02:40

12.9K

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...