Application of spore morphology to solve identification problems in certain species of family Dryopteridaceae from Malakand Division, Pakistan. Issue 8 (3rd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shah, Syed N.; Ahmad, Mushtaq; Zafar, Muhammad; Hadi, Fazal; Khan, Muhammad N.; Noor, Adil; Malik, Khafsa; Rashid, Neelam; Kamal, Asif; Iqbal, Majid; Hussain, Murtaza
• Is Part Of: Microscopy research and technique. Volume 84:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1897
• Page End: 1910
• Publication Date: 2021-03-03
• Subjects: Dryopteridaceae -- Dryopteris -- morphology -- Polystichum -- SEM -- spores; Electron microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; 502.825
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23746
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-910X

Abstract

Abstract: Here we investigate the morphology of the spores of 12 native taxa of Dryopteridaceae that grow in Malakand division, Pakistan; most of these species not fully described before. This study intends to survey the taxonomic significance of spore morphological features and their variation useful for species identification in 7 species of Polystichum and 5 taxa of Dryopteris . The spores examinations were accomplished utilizing a light microscope (LM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The spores are monolete, medium‐sized, with variable shapes in both equatorial and polar views. The mean estimation of equatorial diameter ranging from 28.3 to 58.3 μm and the polar diameter varied from 27.6 to 45.8 μm. The exospore thickness ranges between 1.6 to 3.8 μm, and the thickness of perispore is 0.8–6.7 μm. The perispore is perforated, ornamentation elements occur in different ways in the studied taxa of Polystichum . In investigated Dryopteris taxa, rugate perispore type is found. Results of multivariate statistical analysis (UPGMA, and PCA) established on quantitative and qualitative morphological traits of spores demonstrate that the species form distinct groups, not reflecting any phylogenetic relationships. A key to the spores types is provided for species identification, which dependent on the diagnostic characters of spores. The results of this study indicate that variation of spore morphological traits; in particular, the ornamentation and perispore characteristics, which is surface texture, have diagnostic value at the species level. Our data will help in the identification of spores of the family Dryopteridaceae in palynological and taxonomic studies. Abstract : Spores morphology of 5 Dryopteris taxa and 7 Polystichum species are described. Spores morphological variation in particular perispore characteristics has a diagnostic value at the species level. UPGMA and PCA dependent on qualitative and quantitative attributes of spores morphology present all‐around characterized gatherings of species. Spores morphology do not corroborate previous molecular study. Spores morphology has important taxonomic value for species identification in Dryopteris and Polystichum .