Pteridophyte Spores Research Articles

Stratigraphy and Palynology of the Tura Formation in the type area: Part II - (Descriptive Palynology)

The present paper deals with the spores and pollen grains recovered from the various geological sections of the Tura Formation exposed in Garo Hills. The palynological assemblage comprises 88 species assignable to 51 genera. Out of these, 12 species belonging to 9 genera are new. The assemblage is dominated by angiosperms comprising monocolpate, dicolpate, tricolpate, tricolporate polycolpate, polycolporate, monoporate, triporate and panporate pollen. Pteridophytic spores are less in number.

Pollen and Spore Incidence and Phenology in the Stockholm Area during 1972

Abstract Records of air-borne pollen and spores were made during a six month period in the Stockholm area in 1972. This paper presents phenological data and volumetric measurements obtained by means of a Burkard trap. Attention was paid to both arboreal pollen and non-arboreal pollen and spores, identified to family, genus or species level. Spores of certain common Pteridophytes were also included in the investigation, but not Bryophytes or fungal spores.

SOLUBILITY OF POLLEN EXINES

The sporopollenin of pollen exines of Ambrosia trifida is soluble in fused potassium hydroxide, in strong oxidizing solutions, and in certain organic bases. It is insoluble in other organic and inorganic acids and bases, in lipid solvents, and in detergents. The outer exine layer of gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen dissolves in 2‐aminoethanol. The inner exine layer, as well as the exine of pteridophyte spores, is insoluble. The exine dissolution process in 2‐aminoethanol involves swelling and disintegration of exine structures, leaving some residual globules. Sporopollenin shares some solubility properties with lignin and cutin but appears to be chemically distinct from these substances.

Palynology of the Athgarh formation, near Cuttack, Orissa

The palynological assemblage of the Athgarh Formation, Cuttack and Puri districts, Orissa comprises 45 species belonging to 29 genera of pollen and spores. The assemblage has a pre- dominance of gymnospermic pollen, particularly Araucariacites and Callialasporites. Pteridophytic spores are meagrely represented. In its quantitative composition the Athgarh mioflora has overall resemblance with the miofloras of the Vemavaram and Upper Katrol beds.

Palynomorphs from the Panchet group exposed in Sukri river, Auranga coalfield, Bihar

Palynomorphs obtained from a Panchet Group Exposure in the Sukri River, near Kaima, Auranga Coalfield, Bihar are assignable to 31 species and 22 genera. One genus and five species are newly instituted. On the whole the palynological assemblage is dominated by striate bisaccate pollen. Non-striate bisaccate pollen and the pteridophytic spores share nearly equal percentage. The assemblage is quite similar to the Lower Triassic palynological assemblage reported earlier from the Maitur Formation exposed in the Nonia Nala, near Asansol, West Bengal. The Panchet beds near Kaima are therefore believed to represent the Maitur Formation.

A Simple Method of Initiating Axenic Cultures of Pteridophytes from Spores

Axenic cultures-those which contain only a single species-of pteridophyte gametophytes are useful both for research and teaching related to genetics, physiology, morphology and systematics (cf. Mickel, 1971). For several reasons, pure cultures of these plants are preferable to mixed cultures obtained from natural habitats or from unsterilized spores. For the researcher, axenic cultures eliminate the unknown influences that would be introduced by contaminants and permit a greater degree of control over experimental variables. For the teacher and student, pure cultures of plants under controlled conditions increase the probability that specific plants will be available for study during the time, in the quantity, and at the stages of development desired. Indeed, the gametophytes of many pteridophytes are difficult if not impossible to obtain from the field at any time, especially for instructors working in large, metropolitan areas. Many of us have been forced to learn and teach about this important and interesting phase of pteridophyte life history from the limited material commercially available and from textbook descriptions. One factor that may limit the wider use of axenic gametophyte cultures is the need for transfer rooms or chambers in which to surface-sterilize spores and inoculate cultures. Even though small, relatively inexpensive, bench-top transfer hoods are available (e.g., Labconco tissue culture hoods), a sufficient number of these to accommodate all the students in a laboratory course may be difficult to provide. Over the years I have attempted to develop culture techniques which keep space and cost requirements to a minimum, thus enabling my students and me to culture a variety of plants and plant parts. This note presents a modification of some previously reported culture techniques (Basile, 1964, 1972) and their adaptation to the culture of pteridophyte spores. The resultant modification completely eliminates the need for transfer rooms or chambers and makes pteridophyte spore culture feasible even with modest facilities. MATERIALS

Palynology of the tertiary sediments of Palana, Rajasthan

The Palana palynological assemblage described here consists of 8 genera and 11 species of pteridophytic spores, 24 genera and 36 species of angiospermic pollen grains, 9 genera and 16 species of algal and 3 genera and 4 species of fungal remains. Of the total of 44 genera and 67 species recorded, 10 genera and 31 species are new.
 Quantitative analysis of the assemblage shows that angiospermous element dominate the assemblage (70%), followed by pteridophytes (20%). Prominent monocot families are Potamogetonaceae, Palmae and Liliaceae. Dicots are comparatively better represented, the principal families include Nymphaeaceae, Leguminosae, Cruciferae, Rubiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Hippocrateaceae, Guttiferae, Meliaceae, Proteaceae and Onagraceae. Pteridophytic spores are mainly represented by Osmundaceae, Matoniaceae, Polypodiaceae, Schizaeaceae and Cheilanthaceae. The algal genus Botryococcus along with microplanktons are found in abundance in some stratigraphic levels.

Subsurface palynological succession in Korba coalfield, M.P., India

Seventy-nine samples of various lithologies, e.g. coal, shale, shaly sandstone and boulder bed from a 689 meters long continuous core out of a deep borehole in Korba Coalfield have been palynologically investigated. The succession is palynologically divisible into three major zones. The oldest zone commencing with the glacial boulder beds and the greenish tinted rocks overlying it, is dominated by radial monosaccates (Parasaccites + Plicatipollenites) and Callumispora along with progressively increased presence of striated saccates and pteridophytic spores. The middle zone is dominated by Parasaccites. The pteridophytic spores increase and appear more consistently while the striated saccates continue to be sporadic. The top zone is characterized by overall prominence of nonstriated saccates (chiefly Sulcatisporites), increased and consistent presence of striated saccates but similar incidence of pteridophytic spores as in the middle zone. The succession represents Talchir Stage from the base at 689 meters up to 668·57 meters’ level constituting the basal subzone and the Karharbari Stage above it. The climate during three zones, as presumable on the basis of quantitative representation of spore kinds, seems to have been cold and dry followed by cool and humid in the basal zone, cold and humid followed by cool and dry in the middle zone and progressively warm and humid in the top zone.

Distribution of spores and pollen grains in the Upper Gondwana strata of India

The distributional pattern of the dispersed spores and pollen grains in the Upper Gondwana strata of the Salt Range (West Pakistan), Rajmahal Series (India), Andigama shales (Ceylon), and Jabalpur Series (India), ranging from Liassic to Lower Cretaceous, has been given. Six distinct palynological assemblages (see Fig.2, A–F) have been biostratigraphically studied and analysed. Each assemblage seems to be quite characteristic for its associated horizon and is easily distinguishable mostly at generic level. The Salt Range assemblage (Liassic) is dominated by Classopollis and Perinopollenites whereas the Rajmahal assemblages (Middle-Upper Jurassic) possess mostly cycadophytic and non-saccate pollen grains, together with a representation of pteridophytic spores. In the assemblage of Andigama Shale (Uppermost Jurassic), pteridophytic spores with a dominance of Contignisporites cooksonii constitute the most striking feature. The palynological changes in the Jabalpur Series (Lower Cretaceous) as compared to the Jurassic assemblages are distinct and have been discussed later on. From the preliminary and broader comparative analysis of different assemblages incorporated in this paper, it seems possible that palynological studies on the Upper Gondwana sediments of India can be successfully applied for finer separation of the strata.

Palynology of the Jurassic‐cretaceous boundary in southern England

Abstract Miospore assemblages recovered from marine Upper Kimmeridgian and Portlandian and from nonmarine and lagoonal Purbeck Beds (which span the Jurassic‐Cretaceous boundary) in Dorset and Sussex are dominated numerically by Classopollis and/or Inaperturo‐pollenites and show a progressive diversification of species with time. Three microfloral suites containing a total of 77 species are recognized. Each suite is characterized by the entrance of new forms and by the frequencies of constituent species. The oldest suite is dominated by coniferalean pollen with less frequent pteridophyte spores and rare cycadalean pollen. The succeeding suites record a progressive diversification of pteridophyte and bryophyte spore types which are not, however, as abundant as coniferalean pollen. The over‐all species composition of the suites is believed to be controlled by evolutionary or large‐scale phytogeographic factors; but the detailed composition of each assemblage is controlled, in part, by local ecological‐enviro...

Palynology of the Tertiary sediments of Kutch - 1. Spores and pollen from bore-hole no. 14

The present paper deals with the preliminary palynological investigation of the spore-pollen recovered from the bore-hole no. 14, drilled near Matanamadh, in the district of Kutch, Gujarat state, India. 32 spore-pollen genera and 45 species have been described; out of them 9 genera viz. Rostriapollenites, Nymphaeoipollis, Cryptopolyporites, Umbellijeroipollenites, Polybrevicolporites, Sastriipollenites, Pseudonothojagidites, Sonneratioipollis and Lakipollis are new. The assemblage is dominated by Angiosperms comprising monocolpate, dicolporate, tricolpate, tricolporate, polycolpate, polycolporate, monoporate, triporate and panporate pollen. Pteridophytic spores are meagrely represented.

Changes in hill vegetation revealed by selected British soils

INTRODUCTION Plant pollen in hill peat is preserved for long periods by the chemical environment, and it reveals the flora they carried. Hill soils include peaty gleyed podzols which also have acidic and preservative environments. Twelve inches of peat overlie a 6 inch thick, grey eluvial (A2)* horizon, leached of iron, over a thin, undulating iron pan on an ochreous illuvial (B2ir) horizon ,. Pollen analysis of these soils in South Wales has given a useful floral sequence,. The distribution of principal pollen species shows that grass (Gramineae) predominates in surface layers, reflecting present vegetation. Below, an increasing proportion of ericaceous (chiefly heather) pollen comes from a recent heathland. Lower down, Pteridophyte spores, chiefly Polypodium, increase. In the deepest soil layers oak (Quercus) pollen is abundant, and in some ericaceous pollen from an earlier heathland. This floral sequence is related to the archaeological time-scale using pollen analyses at archaeological sites,. The ericaceous maximum corresponds to Medieval times; the Polypodium maximum with early Roman and Iron Age times; the oak maximum with the Middle Bronze Age and the lower ericaceous maximum with Neolithic times. Before Neolithic times most soils in South Wales were insufficiently acid to preserve pollen, and there is no record of Mesolithic floral changes. In contrast, peat bogs record a longer floral history, but they are less representative of any particular terrain. Aspect and altitude influence the floral succession. Cold northeast facing slopes favour Ericaceae and birch (Betula) pollen production. Whereas Polypodium was very extensive across the S. Wales uplands, it was much less common at the highest and lowest altitudes. Oak predominates in lowland sites, where grass, heather and other non-tree pollens are uncommon. Hence, in a study of pollen in widely separated British soils it is advisable to keep the sampled environment as constant as possible, so that any differences in the floral sequence from place to place may be attributed chiefly to changes in latitude and distance from the sea. Local accumulations of grains over a pan, over flagstones occurring naturally, or in an archaeological structure, and the consistent correlation of the floral sequence with the archaeological time-scale, confirm that pollen does move down through a soil. Most pollen and spores are about the size of silt/fine sand particles (20-50(x International and U.S.D.A. scales, respectively), the specific gravity is near 1 and they should be easily moved by water flowing through soil pores. Soil particles of the same size are more dense and yet are readily moved in this way. Movement of pollen over the historical time-scale of 1-4,000 years is

Tetrad markings of pteridophytic spores and their evolutionary significance

A comparative study of the morphology of the spores of ferns and fern allies was carried out during which, among others, representatives of 277 genera of ferns were investigated. In 29% of all cases the spores are exclusively trilete, in 49%, exclusively monolete, and 22% are mixed or exhibit transitional apertures. Trilete and monolete spores together with all types of transitional apertures were observed sometimes within the same species. Zonate spores were found in 4% of the investigated cases. Trilete spores are found since Silurian times zonate and monolete spores since the Middle Devonian. The progression from trilete to zonate and/or to monolete can be traced through the evolution of all orders of the pteridophytes. A better food supply for the immature spore developing from the spore mother cell may have been the survival advantage. Progression from zonate spores may have led to the monosaccate spores of the coniferous line. Progression from monolete spores to presulcate and/or to sulcate pollen grains may have led to the pteridospermous line of reduction of the microgametic generations.

Studies on the Upper Gondwana of Cutch - 1. Mio and Macrospores

The present paper describes mio- and macrospores obtained from the Umia-beds (Uppermost Gondwana horizon) in Cutch (W. India). They are referred to 48 genera and 82 species, of which four genera viz. Baculareticulosporis, Crassimonoletes, Umiaspora, Auriculozonospora, and 40 species are new. The spore-flora is rich in pteridophytic spores and coniferous pollen grains. It has been compared with the other known assemblages from comparable strata. Finally, a discussion on the probable age of Umia-beds, based on the study of Sporae dispersae, has been given indicating that these beds closely correspond to the Wealden (Lower Cretaceous) age.

Petrified spores and pollen grains from the Jurassic Rocks of Rajmahal Hills, Bihar

Forty-six types of spores and pollen grains have been described from the Nipania chert. They are classified in accordance with the classification suggested by Pant. Pteridophytic spores, cycadophytic pollen grains and the winged grains of the conifers are more or less equally represented in the microflora. Among the pteridophytic spores are some types resembling the spores of modern Lycopodium, Selaginella, Cyatheaceae and Schizaea. Megaspores are also described for the first time from the Jurassic rocks of India. The winged pollen includes two, three, and four-winged grains. Some new groups and sub-groups have been proposed in the classification suggested by Pant.

Conditions for the Germination of the Spores of Bryophytes and Pteridophytes

The more important results of the foregoing investigations may be stated as follows:-- 1. Under ordinary conditions of temperature and inorganic nourishment, moss and liverwort spores are unable to germinate in the dark. Spores when subjected to the more strongly refrangible rays of the spectrum only behave the same as in darkness. 2. Organic nourishment in the form of either peptone or grape sugar will call forth the germination of moss spores in complete darkness. Moss protonemata are able to attain a considerable size in the dark, by a saprophytic nourishment, although the vigor of growth is considerably below the normal. 3. Under ordinary conditions of temperature and inorganic nourishment, fern spores are unable to germinate in the dark.A higher temperature, however, will furnish conditions for the germination in complete darkness. 4. The spores of Equisetum germinate apparently as well in darkness as in light and at the ordinary room temperature of 19-21⚬C. The experiments for this work were conducted during 1896-7 at the Botanical Institute, Leipzig, under the direction of Herr Geheimrat Professor Dr. Pfeifer, to whom thanks are due for many valuable suggestions.