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On the basis of study of 30 species epilithic and epiphytic ferns, and taking into account literature data, adaptive strategies and adaptive syndromes of their sporophytes are identified; morphofunctional types (MFT) of vascular epiphytes reflecting peculiarities of adaptation of their life forms to the environmental conditions of specific biomes were distinguished; evolutionary restrictions and compensatory adaptations in ferns gametophytes and sporophytes and possible ways of rhythmological evolution of ferns are outlined (on the basis of comparison of basal evergreen phenorhythmotype with derived rhythms occurring in temperate ferns). A complex analysis of photosynthetic apparatus of the plants at various levels of its organization was carried out: a) fronds, b) mesophyll cells, c) plastid apparatus. Structural types of frond anatomy are distinguished: hydromorphic, hygromorphic, mesomorphic, subxeromorphic, and subsucculent (cryptic succulent). Following frond traits are of highest adaptive value: their area and thickness, type of mesophyll, dry weight of an area unit specific superficial density, cellular volume, number of cells per a unit of frond area.
