Morphology of the sporophyte and gametophyte of the swamp fern, Blechnum serrulatum (Blechnaceae, Pteridophyta)

Abstract

In the present paper, we provide a revised, comprehensive description of the sporophyte and gametophyte of the swamp fern, Blechnum serrulatum Rich., from neo- and paleotropical localities. External and internal characters of the sporophyte were analysed, including axes, laminae, pinnae, indusia and spores. Intercellular pectic connections of the parenchyma of the rhizomes are reported for the first time. In stipes, cell walls of the aerenchyma tissue contain filamentous protuberances that are composed primarily of cellulose but contain also fatty substances. The morphology of the gametophyte, from spore germination to gametangia formation, is discussed. The taxonomic significance of the characters is considered, especially in regard to the relationship between B. serrulatum and the closely related B. indicum.

Spore morphology and ornamentation in the genusBlechnum(Blechnaceae)

“…Species identification was made based on Burrows (1990), Tryon and Stolze (1993), Moran (1995) and Chambers and Farrant (1998), and also by determination by the authors after consulting the type material. The selection of species was made to include as many species as possible, covering all groups of Blechnum recognised in earlier studies, such as the informal classification of Tryon and Tryon (1982), revised by Oliveira Dittrich (2005), as well as our own data suggesting groups of affinity (Rolleri & Prada, 2006b;Passarelli, 2007;Prada et al, 2008;Rolleri et al, 2008Rolleri et al, , 2010, and unpublished work on the genus). Species not previously included in any pre-existing group were also added.…”

“…6-7. Species of Blechnum lineatum group (Tryon & Tryon, 1982) (Tryon & Tryon, 1982;Rolleri et al, 2010), and others with similar ornamentation (+). 9.…”

“…Rolleri and Prada (2006a) recorded 92 taxa in the Neotropics, including species and hybrids, but new species were described later (e.g., Moran & Smith, 2005;Rojas-Alvarado, 2006, 2008a, 2008bKessler et al, 2007;Ramos Giacosa, 2010) and partial revisions (e.g., Rolleri and Prada, 2006b;Gabriel y Galán et al, 2008;Prada et al, 2008;Rolleri et al, 2008Rolleri et al, , 2010 have been published that include detailed studies of subsets of species. These studies may eventually result in a revision of the species number.…”

cpDNA supports the identification of the major lineages of American Blechnum (Blechnaceae, Polypodiopsida) established by morphology

“…Kuhn group, originally named B. buchtienii Rosenst. group (Rolleri et al, 2013) (Tryon & Tryon, 1982;Durán, 1997;Dittrich, 2005;Rolleri & Prada, 2006b;Passarelli, 2007;Prada et al, 2007;Gabriel y Galán et al, 2008;Ramos Giacosa, 2008;Rolleri et al, 2008;Passarelli et al, 2010;Rolleri et al, 2010;Gabriel y Galán et al, 2011;Rolleri et al, 2012a;Rolleri et al, 2012b;Rolleri et al, 2013).…”

The predominant role of soil in determining species composition of fern communities in subtropical coastal forest ecosystems

“…These two species have morpho-physiological characteristics that probably enable their survival in the restrictive conditions of restinga. Rumohra adiantiformis, for example, can survive in areas of high incidence of light and low water availability due to reduced leaf area, greater mesophyll thickness and frond inclination (Boeger et al 2007), while smaller size and higher frequency of stomata enable the survival of T. serrulatum in flooded areas (Rolleri et al 2010).…”