Abstract:

The morphogenesis and development of the fern Gonocormus minutus(Blume) Bosch spores (Hymenophyllaceae) were studied by means of light microscope. The results are as follows: the mature spores of G.minutus are multilateral round shape and none of them has a visible trilete mark. The perispore is very thin and closely adheres to the smooth exospore surface. It forms the ornamentation, which shows papillate or granulate. At the later stage of the formation of exospore, a number of globules are distributed in the spore surface and sporangium loculus. And spherules are seen scattered around the spore surface during the formation of perispore. Both the globules and the spherules take part in the formation of sporoderm. The tapetum is mixed types in the G.minutus and the inner layer is amoeboid tapetum, while the outer layer is parietal tapetum. The results provide basic information for the developmental biology and phylogeny of Hymenophyllaceae.

Key words: Gonocormus minutus(Blume) Bosch, spore development, sporoderm, tapetum