SPORE MORPHOLOGY OF TWO ASPLENIUM L. (ASPLENIACEAE) SPECIES FROM TÜRKİYE

Authors : Züleyha Aslan Ergenekon, Tülay Ezer

Pages : 30-39

View : 26 | Download : 28

Publication Date : 2025-07-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The genus Asplenium L. is represented by more than 750 fern species worldwide. In this study, it was aimed to contribute to the taxonomic evaluation of Asplenium ceterach L. and Asplenium trichomanes L. among 20 Asplenium species naturally distributed in Türkiye by examining their spore morphology. The specimens of the species examined in this study were collected from their natural distribution areas in Türkiye. Spore preparations were prepared by acetolysis method and morphological characteristics were analyzed in detail using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As a result of the examinations, it was determined that the spore shape of both species was oblate. A. ceterach is monolet-dominant, but rarely has trilet spores and exhibits a heteromorphic character. The aperture length of monolet spores varies between 33-45 µm. The average polar axis length was 35.46 µm and equatorial axis length was 47.60 µm in spores of this species classified as medium-sized. A. trichomanes has only monolet spores. The aperture length of this species varies between 25-35 µm, with a mean polar axis of 28.89 µm and a mean equatorial axis of 41.91 µm. The thickness of the exine of both species is similar and varies between 1-2 µm. The findings suggest that the spore morphology of the studied species provides distinctive characters and can be considered as a complementary criterion in taxonomic classification.
Keywords : Asplenium trichomanes, Asplenium ceterach, Eğrelti

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL