Abstract
A cytological investigation of meiosis and chromosome number in Eudesme virescens was conducted on sporophytic field material and cultured gametophytes, using a modified iron acetocarmine squash technique. Meiosis was readily observed in the unilocular sporangium mother cells of the adult sporophyte, sporangia in all stages of development occurring on one thallus at one time. Although the nuclei reach a maximum diameter of only 7 μ, the chromosomes absorb the stain readily and can be distinguished throughout the complete process of reduction division. After meiosis, synchronous mitotic divisions ultimately produce 512 nuclei within the sporangium. At maturity the cone-like depression in the apex of the sporangium everts, and biflagellate zoospores are released. Mitosis in the gametophytes appears to follow a normal pattern. Chromosome numbers of 2n = 20 and n = 10 were recorded.
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