"Ceratodon button"
Ellen Ryan-Colton, Honours Student

And you thought the Emperor penguin huddle was only in Happy Feet! Up close, moss Ceratodon purpureus reveals how to survive the driest continent on Earth - form a tight turf to retain water between individual gametophytes (shoots) as well as within them. Bryum pseudotriquetrum, the bright green moss in Ceratodon's shadow, does not retain as much moisture because larger gametophytes cannot pack as tightly. Any guesses for which species can tolerate drier habitat? As moss beds near Australia's Casey station show signs of drying with climate change, Ceratodon is holding fort, from buttons to barricades.