Reviving, In Vitro Differentiation, Development, and Micropropagation of the Rare and Endangered Moss Bruchia vogesiaca (Bruchiaceae)

This study provides the results of the developmental biology of the highly rare and endangered moss species Brachia vogesiaca (recorded in less than 30 localities in the Northern Hemisphere, mainly western, central, and southwestern Europe). The aim of the study was to achieve the fully developed gametophyte and to propagate it for the purpose of conservation, reintroduction, and introduction to potential habitats free from xenic contamination. These gametophytes will be used for the study of genetics and genomics of this species. The micropropagation of B. vogesiaca was successfully applied on BCD medium supplemented with 0.1 mu M BA and on BCD supplemented with 0.3 mu M IBA and 0.3 mu M BA for numerous gametophore production. The highest production of secondary protonema was achieved on MS/2 S/2 medium enriched with 0.1 or 0.3 mu M IBA and 0.3 mu M BA. Rather successfully applied micropropagation of this threatened moss species enables better knowledge of its biology and is of great value for its conservation biology and developmental research. Chemical names used: indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), N-6-benzyladenine (BA), Murashige and Skoog medium (MS).