The dynamics of external water-conduction in the dryland moss Syntrichia

Syntrichia relies on external water conduction for photosynthesis, survival, and reproduction, a condition referred to as ectohydry. Capillarity spaces are abundant in Syntrichia, but the link between function and morphology is complex. The aim of this study was to provide a better understanding of species-specific morphological traits underlying functions of water conduction and storage. We used an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and confocal microscopy for observing anatomical characters in the leaves of Syntrichia species. We also measured hydration/dehydration curves to understand the rate of conduction and dehydration by experimental approaches. Syntrichia is an ectohydric moss that can externally transport and store water from the base of the stem using capillary action. We propose a new framework to study ectohydric capabilities, which incorporates three morphological scales and the timing of going from completely dehydrated to fully hydrated. Characters of interest in this model include: cell anatomy (papillae development, hyaline basal cells, and laminar cells), architecture of the stem (concavity and orientation), and whole clump characteristics (density of stems). We report significant variation in the speed of conduction, water holding capacity, and hydration associated with each species studied (11 in total). All Syntrichia species are capable of external water conduction and storage, but the relevant traits differ among species. These results help to understand potential evolutionary and ecological tradeoffs among speed of water conduction, water holding capacity, ontogeny, and differing habitat requirements. An integrative view of ectohydry in Syntrichia contributes to understanding the water relationships of mosses