Spore morphology and leaf epidermal anatomy as a taxonomic source in the identification of Asplenium species from Malakand division Pakistan. Issue 11 (21st July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shah, Syed Nasar; Ahmad, Mushtaq; Zafar, Muhammad; Hadi, Fazal; Khan, Muhammad Nauman; Noor, Adil; Malik, Khafsa; Rashid, Neelam; Kamal, Asif; Iqbal, Majid
• Is Part Of: Microscopy research and technique. Volume 83:Issue 11(2020)
• Page Start: 1354
• Page End: 1368
• Publication Date: 2020-07-21
• Subjects: Asplenium -- leaf epidermis -- micromorphology -- spore morphology -- taxonomy; Electron microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; 502.825
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23527
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-910X

Abstract

Abstract: Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of leaf epidermal, and spore morphological characters in the taxonomy of genus Asplenium . However, works on the Pakistani species of Asplenium are not existent. With the objective to verify the efficacy of leaf epidermal and spore morphological traits, the leaf epidermis and spore morphology in nine Asplenium species occurring in Malakand division was studied. The spores were studied under light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), whereas for leaf epidermal anatomy, the LM was used. The spores are monolete, ellipsoidal in shape, the equatorial and polar diameter ranges between 28.3 and 50.2 × 27.6 and 45.8 μm. The exospore thickness varied from 0.5 to 3.8 μm. The perispore is 0.8–3.5 μm thick, ornamented, and morphologically variable. The spores characters specifically the perispore ornamentation are useful in distinguishing species within the genus. The irregular spore shape and unusual development of perispore wall surface characterize aborted spores in the species of Asplenium × alternifolium . The most informative quantitative characters appeared to be length and width of epidermal cells, and length and width of stomata were useful to distinguish species. The most significant qualitative characters to distinguish species were the anticlinal wall pattern. Our study has shown that considerable variations exist in the leaf epidermis of Asplenium species, at least some of which has taxonomic significance. We confirmed the prevalent taxonomic value of stomatal and epidermal cells traits. The leaf epidermal anatomy and spore morphological features showed to be a good source of information for taxonomy of the genus Asplenium . Abstract : The leaf epidermal anatomy and spore morphology of nine species of Asplenium were investigated. The distribution of stomata, stomatal size, and epidermal cell size is an important character for the segregation of Asplenium species. Characters of perispore ornamentation, epidermal anticlinal wall, and stomatal pattern are useful for the taxonomy of Asplenium species.