RESEARCH: OUTCOMES, VIEWPOINTS & PERSPECTIVES

Spore morphology and taxonomy of Pterygoneurum

A detailed worldwide investigation of the spore morphology in the moss genus Pterygoneurum (Pottiaceae) was done using LM, SEM, and TEM. Spores of this genus had not been studied previously. There are several distinguishable spore types within the genus which are interpretable taxonomically. The range of variability in the shape and distribution of the surface processes and in spore morphology overlap for all species. Phenomena such as interpopulational gene flow, and transitions towards cleistocarpy were suggested, and phyletic connections with other Pottiaceae genera such as Crossidium were evidenced. These have been recently confirmed by molecular systematics..
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CARRIÓN, J.S., GUERRA, J. & CANO, M.J. 1995. Spore morphology in the moss genus Pterygoneurum (Pottiaceae). Nova Hedwigia 61 (3-4): 481-496