Sphagnum Moss Disperses Spores with Vortex Rings

@article{Whitaker2010SphagnumMD,
  title={Sphagnum Moss Disperses Spores with Vortex Rings},
  author={Dwight L Whitaker and Joan Edwards},
  journal={Science},
  year={2010},
  volume={329},
  pages={406 - 406}
}
Fluid dynamics similar to those known to drive smoke rings shoot moss spores far and wide. Sphagnum spores, which have low terminal velocities, are carried by turbulent wind currents to establish colonies many kilometers away. However, spores that are easily kept aloft are also rapidly decelerated in still air; thus, dispersal range depends strongly on release height. Vascular plants grow tall to lift spores into sufficient wind currents for dispersal, but nonvascular plants such as Sphagnum… 
View on AAAS
yorku.ca
55 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
5
Background Citations
28
Methods Citations
2

55 Citations

Mushroom spore dispersal by convectively-driven winds
TLDR
It is shown that evaporative cooling of the air surrounding the mushroom pileus creates convective airflows capable of carrying spores at speeds of centimeters per second, which provides a new explanation for their high water needs.
Mushrooms use convectively created airflows to disperse their spores
TLDR
It is shown that evaporative cooling of the air surrounding the pileus creates convective airflows capable of carrying spores at speeds of centimeters per second, revealing how mushrooms tolerate and even benefit from crowding and explains their high water needs.
Inertial particle transport from peat moss vortex rings
We present a numerical analysis of how vortex rings from Sphagnum moss disperse their spores. Comparisons of the results of our CFD model with data measured from high-speed video reveal that the…
Launched at 36,000g
Most mosses, including peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum (about 285 species), disperse their spores by turbulent wind ( 1 ). In still air, spores (22 to 45 µm in size) sink at only 0.5 to 2 cm/s,…
Release thresholds for moss spores: the importance of turbulence and sporophyte length
TLDR
It is suggested that vibration of moss sporophytes is an important mechanism to regulate spore release and that turbulence and sporophyte length regulate the onset of sporophyta vibration.
Air-gun mechanism investigated:the flow dynamics of spore discharge by Sphagnum mosses
This study is focussed on the spore dispersal by mosses of the genus Sphagnum. A central role in the fascinating method of dispersal is played by the spore capsule. Spores are situated in the upper…
The walk and jump of Equisetum spores
TLDR
Observations of the ‘walks’ and ‘jumps’ of Equisetum spores, which are novel types of spore locomotion mechanisms compared to the ones of other spores, conveys biomimetic inspiration for a new class of self-propelled objects.
Air humidity thresholds trigger active moss spore release to extend dispersal in space and time
TLDR
This study demonstrates an active spore release mechanism in response to diurnally changing air humidity that may promote longer dispersal distances, because of enhanced vertical dispersal and because spores being released in the morning have more time to travel before the wind calms down at night.
Fungal artillery of zombie flies: infectious spore dispersal using a soft water cannon
TLDR
A biomimetic ‘soft cannon’ that consists of a millimetric elastomeric barrel filled with fluid and plugged with a projectile is designed and shown how the fungal spores are able to reach a new host.
High‐speed video and plant ultrastructure define mechanisms of gametophyte dispersal
TLDR
How high‐speed video and analyses of ultrastructure have defined new biomechanical mechanisms for the dispersal of gametophytes through the dissemination of haploid diaspores, including spores, pollen, and asexual reproductive propagules is reviewed.
...
...

References

SHOWING 1-5 OF 5 REFERENCES
Size matters for violent discharge height and settling speed of Sphagnum spores: important attributes for dispersal potential.
TLDR
The spore discharge heights in Sphagnum are among the greatest for small, wind-dispersed propagules, and the slow settling of spores affect dispersal distances positively and may help to explain the wide distribution of most boreal SphagnUM species.
Turbulent vortex rings
We consider the motion of the mass of fluid ejected through a sharp-edged orifice by the motion of a piston. The vorticity formed by viscous forces within the separated flow at the sharp edge rolls…
Optimal Vortex Formation as a Unifying Principle in Biological Propulsion
I review the concept of optimal vortex formation and examine its relevance to propulsion in biological and bio-inspired systems, ranging from the human heart to underwater vehicles. By using examples…
The authors thank D. C. Smith and C. D. Mitescu for comments; R. Andrus for species identification
    Materials and methods are available as supporting material on Science Online