Fern gametophytes exhibit distinct patterns of niche expansion and convergence in ecophysiological functioning

Fern gametophytes exhibit distinct patterns of niche expansion and convergence in ecophysiological functioning | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 6 February 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Fern gametophytes exhibit distinct patterns of niche expansion and convergence in ecophysiological functioning Authors : Christopher Krieg 0000-0002-9797-9280 [email protected] , Jacob Watts , Sally Chambers , Ameya Baxi , and Katherine McCulloh Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177036702.24372518/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 197 views 128 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Ferns exhibit extraordinary ecological diversity, and their independent gametophyte and sporophyte stages make them distinct among other plant groups, yet the extent to which gametophyte and sporophyte ecology are coordinated is unknown. Here, we integrated spatial and climatic data to test the hypothesis that independent fern gametophytes occupy novel climatic niche space relative to their sporophytes. We also examined the physiological mechanisms in the gametophyte life stage that may underpin spatial patterns of fern ecology. We discovered that 57% of species examined have gametophytes that occupy novel climate niche space relative to their sporophytes and that this expansion occurs along specific axes of climate variation. We also discovered evidence of strong convergence in gametophyte ecophysiological function across broad environmental gradients. In particular, we found that gametophyte photosynthetic rate per mass was strongly linearly correlated to atmospheric water demand (e.g., potential evapotranspiration) and monotonically correlated to precipitation inputs. Taken together, these discoveries represent previously uncharacterized patterns and potential mechanisms that may drive spatial patterns of fern biodiversity. Supplementary Material File (gametophyte_manuscript_tentative_accept_minor_rev.docx) Download 1.54 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 06 February 2026 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 7 Apr 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Ecology and Evolution Keywords comparative none of the above plants terrestrial Authors Affiliations Christopher Krieg 0000-0002-9797-9280 [email protected] Wake Forest University View all articles by this author Jacob Watts University of Colorado Boulder View all articles by this author Sally Chambers Eastern Kentucky University View all articles by this author Ameya Baxi University of Wisconsin-Madison View all articles by this author Katherine McCulloh University of Wisconsin-Madison View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 197 views 128 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Christopher Krieg, Jacob Watts, Sally Chambers, et al. Fern gametophytes exhibit distinct patterns of niche expansion and convergence in ecophysiological functioning. Authorea . 06 February 2026. 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