Spores of the Pteridophyta: Surface, Wall Structure, and Diversity Based on Electron Microscope Studies

Pteridophyte spores, the main agent of dispersal carrying the essential genet- ic material for sexual reproduction of plants and persistence of the species, are single, airborne cells with complex walls. Palynological records of these spores supply stratigraphic data and evidence of early diversification of vas- cular plants, as well as testimony of climatic and vegetational changes. Compared to the extensive work on pollen, there are relatively few mod- ern studies on development and structure of pteridophyte spore walls. This survey provides a source of original information on these spores, pertinent descriptive characteristics, and related commentary. Studies of sporogenesis and ultrastructure utilizing the electron microscopes have greatly contributed to our knowledge of the development, structure, and variation of spore walls of the Pteridophyta. The synopsis of wall development and structure in the introductory section-New Concepts on Sporoderm Development and Ultra- structure-supplies a comparative review of spores in the Pteridophyta. Source of Material Studied The spores are largely from collections in the Harvard University Herbarium (Gray Herbarium and Arnold Arboretum), except as indicated in the cap- tions. We are grateful to the directors and curators of these and the follow- ing institutions for permission to examine specimens included in the work: Herbarium ]utlandicum, Botanical Institute, University of Aarhus, Den- mark; Queensland Regional Station, C. S. I. R. O.