ULTRASTRUCTURE OF CEPHALEUROS VIRESCENS (CHROOLEPIDACEAE; CHLOROPHYTA). I. SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF ZOOSPORANGIA

Abstract

Scanning election microscopic examination of Cephaleuros virescens growing on leaves of Magnolia grandiflora has provided detailed observations which parallel, extend, and, in general, confirm previous light microscopic studies. The present study has revealed that in the ontogeny of terminal zoosporangia, apical zones form in the surface of an enlarged pyriform cell and that these zones, in some cases, are surrounded by a circumferential ridge, an external indication of an internal septum. A similar circumferential ridge is seen at the base of developing terminal zoosporangia. Contrary to some published accounts, the abscission of terminal sporangia does not commence with tearing of the pedicel‐sporangium septal wall, but rather with an internal separation of the septum which is followed by a circumscissile tearing of the septal wall. The completion of abscission entails the emergence of a septal protuberance from the pedicel and/or the terminal sporangium in a process reminiscent of filament fragmentation in zygnematacean algae containing “replicate end walls.” Zoospore exit pores form in a lateral position on the terminal sporangia and are not coincident with the septal protuberances as has been reported in some recent accounts. Although both biflagellate and quadriflagellate zoospores have been seen in the light microscope, only the former have been observed with SEM. The SEM observations recorded in this study have provided a basis for comparison not only with light microscopic data, but also with transmission electron microscopic data which are now being recorded. Observations reported will be useful for interspecific and intergeneric comparisons.