SPORE MORPHOLOGY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE IN SPECIES OF SALVINIA FROM SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA

Abstract

Abstract The morphology and ultrastructure of megaspores, microspores, and massulae of Salvinia Seguier 1785 species from Argentina, Bolivia, southern Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay have been analyzed. The analyses were performed using light microscopy, stereo microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The taxa studied were Salvinia auriculata Aublet 1775, Salvinia biloba Raddi 1825, and Salvinia minima Baker 1886. The spores of Salvinia biloba are described and illustrated here for the first time. The spores of Salvinia adnata Desvaux 1827 were not described here because all the specimens analyzed had megasporangia and microsporangia which had not developed, or were aborted. The megaspores in all the species analyzed are trilete, 224–402 μm in polar diameter and 179–378 μm in equatorial diameter, with a circular outline, an irregular margin in polar view, and are ovoid in equatorial view. The surface is ridged and perforated and the sporoderm in cross section co...