Functional Compartments During Sporangium Development in the Pteridophyte Cyrtomium falcatum (L. f.) Presl as Expressed in Tapetum Function

Abstract

The tapetum surrounds the developing sporogenous tissue, and therefore is suggested to have an important role during sporogenesis. In pteridophytes details about tapetum development and function during sporangium development are poorly known. The current article analyses the leptosporangiate development of the pteridophyte Cyrtomium falcatum in terms of functional compartmentalization related to tapetum function. Morphology, development and localization of different compounds during sporangium development are studied. During C. falcatum leptosporangiate development phases of initiation, division, differentiation, and maturation are identified. Functional compartments are distinguished by the presence of a callose culture sac during the division and differentiation phase, and a callose spore sac during the differentiation and maturation phase.

Key words

Pteridophyte - Cyrtomium falcatum - leptosporangiate development - sporangium compartmentalization - tapetum function