Taxonomic significance of microspore in some selected species of the family Selaginellaceae from Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Abstract

Microspore morphology of 18 species of Selaginellaceae found in Arunachal Pradesh, North East India, is studied using light microscope and electron microscope. Of the eighteen taxa studied, study on five taxa is attempted for the first time using electron microscope. The species studied exhibit variation in size, shape, color and ornamentation of the microspore. The measurement of equatorial diameter ranges from 11–57 µm. Tetrad form of the microspore is recorded in four species. The variations in the microspore ornamentation within the species of the family are useful in identification, classification and taxonomic distinction of the species. Identification key is provided for the species under study. This study is beneficial for the enumeration of basic information of microspores of the family and for the precise identification of Selaginella species. Statistical analysis in distal and proximal surface ornamentation of the microspores is provided.