Synopses & Reviews
This book constitutes a unique, encyclopedic reference work that systematizes and categorizes for the first time in such comprehensive fashion all known fern spores. The dominant feature of the work are the over 350 plates of electron micrographs showing the morphological characteristics of typical representatives of each spore type. The purpose of the book is to provide a complete survey of the available data on the fine structure and composition, development, and evolu- tionary significance of different types of spore walls, which have proven resistant to fossilization throughout geological ages. The classification system developed by the authors as the result of many years of research will be a point of reference, if not the systematic basis, for all future publication on the subject. The book will be of great interest to all botanists and evolutionary biologists working with spores and/or ferns, but it will also be of major importance to paleobotanists, palynologists, stratigraphers, and exploration geologists, since the focus of this treatise is on spores as highly adapted and longlived reproductive forms.
Synopsis
Pteridophyte spores, the main agent of dispersal carrying the essential genet- ic material for sexual reproduction of plants and persistence of the species, are single, airborne cells with complex walls. Palynological records of these spores supply stratigraphic data and evidence of early diversification of vas- cular plants, as well as testimony of climatic and vegetational changes. Compared to the extensive work on pollen, there are relatively few mod- ern studies on development and structure of pteridophyte spore walls. This survey provides a source of original information on these spores, pertinent descriptive characteristics, and related commentary. Studies of sporogenesis and ultrastructure utilizing the electron microscopes have greatly contributed to our knowledge of the development, structure, and variation of spore walls of the Pteridophyta. The synopsis of wall development and structure in the introductory section-New Concepts on Sporoderm Development and Ultra- structure-supplies a comparative review of spores in the Pteridophyta. Source of Material Studied The spores are largely from collections in the Harvard University Herbarium (Gray Herbarium and Arnold Arboretum), except as indicated in the cap- tions. We are grateful to the directors and curators of these and the follow- ing institutions for permission to examine specimens included in the work: Herbarium ]utlandicum, Botanical Institute, University of Aarhus, Den- mark; Queensland Regional Station, C. S. I. R. O.