The ferns of Calilegua National Park, Jujuy, Argentina: A look through their spores. Second part

Abstract

This work is part of a bigger project to study the spore morphology of isosporous ferns growing in the Calilegua National Park (CNP), in the province of Jujuy, Argentina. This park belongs to the phytogeographic region of the Yungas, where climatic and terrain conditions are optimal for the growth of ferns. The aim of this work is to present the morphology of the spores of 53 taxa corresponding to 6 families of isosporate ferns that grow in this protected area. The study was carried out with herbarium material and field trips. The families studied are Hymenophyllaceae, Ophioglossaceae, Polypodiaceae, Pteridaceae, Thelypteridaceae and Woodsiaceae. According to the spore aperture type, 24 taxa are monolete and 29 trilete. The spores are yellowish, light to dark brown or brown greenish. The largest spores belong to Pleopeltis tweediana and the smallest to Polyphlebium angustatum. The ornamentation observed were echinae, folds, wings, reticles, cristae, verrucae or rugulae. The spores of 35 species are illustrated for the first time under the light microscope and five species with scanning electron microscope. An identification key of the spores is also provided. The morphological characteristics of the spores allowed the identification of 16 species, contributes to spore bank analysis, aero and palaeopalynological studies and taxonomic identifications.