Development of the sporangia and associated structures in Schizaea pectinata (Schizaeaceae : Pteridophyta)

A light microscope study of the initiation of the frond and sporangial development in Schizaea pectinata revealed that sporangia arose from single-celled initials in marginal positions on narrow, strap-shaped pinnae. The sporangia were displaced to a superficial position by marginal development of a false indusial (pseudoindusial) structure. Divisions of a single, central initial with four cutting faces produced the archesporial tissue and a two-layered tapetum that differentiated into a combination tapetum consisting of an outer, cellular parietal tapetum and an inner, plasmodial tapetum that was intimately associated with the archesporial tissue and later with the developing spores. Mature sporangia had an apical annulus consisting mainly of a single tier of cells that differentiated from the layer of cells forming the sporangium wall. Thirty-two spore mother cells were produced and if no abortion occurred, approximately 128 spores developed within each sporangium. Key words: Schizaea pectinata, sporangial ontogeny, parietal tapetum, plasmodial tapetum, combination tapetum.

Morphological and ultrastructural variations in Scliizjaea pectinata (Schizaeaceae: Pteridophyta)

Schizaea pectinata (L.) Sw. was collected from the extreme ends of its geographical range in South Africa for a study of sporangial development, sporogenesis and tapetal organisation. Differences were noted in the gross morphology , in sporangium size, spore size and in the patterning of the outer exospore from the two sites. Coiled structures were associated with the development of the inner perispore in spores collected from the Transvaal, whereas dense, heterogeneous bodies were associated with the formation of this layer in spores from the Cape. Differences were also noted in the organisation of the tapetum. A cellular, parietal tapetum and a plasmodial tapetum were present in the Cape material when the spores had developed the sculptured outer exospore. In sporangia from the Transvaal, however, only a plasmodial tapetum was present at the same stage of sporoderm development. A detailed study of S. pectinata throughout its distribution is required to determine the taxonomic importance of these findings.