Gametophytic phase of two Neotropical ferns, Dennstaedtia globulifera (Poir.) Hieron and Hypolepis poeppigii Mett. ex Maxon (Dennstaedtiaceae)

• Published in: Plant systematics and evolution Vol. 300; no. 5; pp. 909 - 915
• Main Authors: Martínez, O. G, Chambi, C. J, Avilés, Z
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer-Verlag 01.05.2014; Springer-Verlag Gmbh; Springer Vienna; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adiantum; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Dehiscence; Dennstaedtia; Dennstaedtia globulifera; Ferns; ferns and fern allies; Fungal spores; Gametophytes; Germination; Hypolepis; Life Sciences; Light microscopy; Micrography; Morphology; Original Article; Photomicrographs; photoperiod; Plant Anatomy/Development; Plant cells; Plant Ecology; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Roots; scanning electron microscopes; Scanning electron microscopy; Sowing; Spore germination; Spores; Sporophytes; tropics; True ferns; Vittaria; Gametophytes; Antheridiophore; Germination spores
• ISSN: 0378-2697; 1615-6110; 2199-6881
• DOI: 10.1007/s00606-013-0930-7

This study aimed to provide a detailed description of the gametophyte morphology of two Neotropical ferns, Dennstaedtia globulifera and Hypolepis poeppigii, including spore germination, gametophytic development, and mature gametophyte morphology. Spores were sown in Petri dishes with Dyer medium. Petri dishes were kept in environmental room with a light regime of eight light-hours per day. We document the described morphologies through scanning electron microscope photomicrographs and light microscopy. Germination of spores follows the Vittaria type and the gametophytic development follows the Adiantum type. The adult gametophytes are cordiform or ameristic, unisexual and glabrous. Archegonia emerge from below the notch, and have four rows of cells, each with four, rarely five, cells and necks bent toward the roots. Antheridia are found among the roots, on the abaxial surface and margin of the laminar gametophyte, and have three cells; dehiscence of the antheridia is produced through formation of a pore. D. globulifera has simple antheridia, whilst H. poeppigii has individual antheridia or antheridia grouped on a single or multi-celled antheridiophore. The antheridiophore is described for the first time.