EFFECT OF CHANGED ENVIRONMENTAL-CONDITIONS ON GLYCOLIPIDS OF THE MOSSES PLEUROZIUM-SCHREBERI AND CERATODON-PURPUREUS

The mosses were collected from their natural habitats when frozen and covered by snow. After 1 week''s exposure to rhythmic light (150 .mu.E m-2 s-1, 12 h 17.degree. C) no changes were observed in the absolute amount of fatty acids in either mono- (MGDG) or diglycosyl diglyceride (DGDG) fractions. Some changes were recorded in the content of individual fatty acids. The long chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids (mainly 20:4.omega.6 and 20:5.omega.3 in P. schreberi and in addition 16:3.omega.3 and 18:3.omega.3 in C. purpureus) tended to decrease and the shorter chain, more saturated ones increased correspondingly. Under continuous light conditions (17.degree. C) the total amount of fatty acids decreased in both MGDG and DGDG fractions, more significantly at 150 than at 75 .mu.E m-2 s-1. This was due to the accelerated degradation and/or decreased synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which in this case was not totally compensated by the increase in shorter chain, more saturated ones.