Micromorphology of outer exospore coatings in Selaginella megaspores

Variability of Selaginella megaspore microsculpture is defined and illustrated by means of SEM and TEM. Additional EDX analyses demonstrated that microsculpture elements in the investigated specimens are mainly formed by silica which may be removed by hydrofluoric acid. Our observations suggest that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Grana 2006-03, Vol.45 (1), p.9-21
Main Authors: Moore, Susannah E. M., Hemsley, Alan R., Borsch, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Variability of Selaginella megaspore microsculpture is defined and illustrated by means of SEM and TEM. Additional EDX analyses demonstrated that microsculpture elements in the investigated specimens are mainly formed by silica which may be removed by hydrofluoric acid. Our observations suggest that different proportions of sporopollenin/silica are present in the outer coating of at least some Selaginella megaspore walls. Pattern formation mechanisms as well as implications for terminology are discussed. On the basis of this investigation and using data available from the literature, it is argued that the sporoderm layers of Isoetes and Selaginella megaspores are probably homologous, supporting the consensual view.
ISSN:0017-3134
1651-2049
DOI:10.1080/00173130500537150