Seasonal Changes in Polar Lipids in Fronds of the Ferns Dryopteris filix-mas and Matteuccia struthiopteris

O. A. Rozentsvet^1*, V. R. Filin², S. V. Saksonov¹, and V. V. Meshcheryakov¹

¹Institute of Ecology of the Volga River Basin, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Komzina 10, Togliatti, 445003 Russia; fax: (8482) 48-9405

²Department of Higher Plants, School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119899 Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received August 1, 2001; Revision received May 28, 2002

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The distribution pattern of total lipids, glyco- and phospholipids, and one betaine lipid (DGTS) in the fronds ofthe ferns Dryopteris filix-mas and Matteuccia struthiopteris was studied. The lipid composition of the embryo leaflets forming a bud, or “treble clef”, and that of fully opened leaves changed throughout the growth season. The maximum amount of DGTS in clefs and mature leaves was detected at the beginning of the season. By midsummer, the DGTS content decreased, dropping to zero in the fully opened leaves, and then increased again. The amount of DGTS in the clefs collected in October versus those collected in May was somewhat higher in the case of Dryopteris filix-mas and almost twofold lower in the case of Matteuccia struthiopteris. The ratio between polar lipids contained in the clefs and mature leaves throughout the growth season was determined.

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KEY WORDS: betaine lipid DGTS, glycolipids, total lipids, ferns, phospholipids

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