Swimming Fern Sperm

Posted by Michael Sundue | Videos | 2

Here you can see the antheridia and motile sperm of Athyrium filix-femina swimming in a drop of water under a microscope slide.

About The Author

Michael Sundue

My field work is centered in Mexico, Colombia, and Papua New Guinea. I am based at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (E). If you have any ferns that you want identified, please send them to me!

2 Comments

Christie Grewe on November 10, 2022 at 4:14 pm

My 2nd and 5th grade sons were learning about fern reproduction today and this video was fantastic to show them how a plant cell can swim. The 2nd grader also thinks it would be fantastic if tardigrades rode around on fern sperm.
Thank you for sharing this video!
Reply
- Michael Sundue on November 12, 2022 at 3:26 pm
  
  Great to hear!
  Reply