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Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Morphology of the sporophyte and gametophyte of the swamp fern, Blechnum serrulatum (Blechnaceae, Pteridophyta)

C. H. Rolleri A , C. Prada B C , J. M. Gabriel y Galán B , L. M. Passarelli A and M. M. Ciciarelli A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A LEAVES (Laboratorio de Estudios de Anatomía Vegetal Evolutiva y Sistemática), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo de La Plata, 64 Entre 120 y Diagonal 113, B1904 DZB, La Plata, Argentina.

B Departamento de Biología Vegetal I, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, España.

C Corresponding author. Email: cpm@bio.ucm.es

Australian Journal of Botany 58(6) 508-518 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT09238
Submitted: 24 December 2009  Accepted: 6 July 2010   Published: 8 September 2010

Abstract

In the present paper, we provide a revised, comprehensive description of the sporophyte and gametophyte of the swamp fern, Blechnum serrulatum Rich., from neo- and paleotropical localities. External and internal characters of the sporophyte were analysed, including axes, laminae, pinnae, indusia and spores. Intercellular pectic connections of the parenchyma of the rhizomes are reported for the first time. In stipes, cell walls of the aerenchyma tissue contain filamentous protuberances that are composed primarily of cellulose but contain also fatty substances. The morphology of the gametophyte, from spore germination to gametangia formation, is discussed. The taxonomic significance of the characters is considered, especially in regard to the relationship between B. serrulatum and the closely related B. indicum.


Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Proyecto de Investigación Fundamental no. CGL2009-13622, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España. The research of C. H. Rolleri was also supported by the Universidad Complutense (Madrid, Spain) through the Programa de Visitantes Distinguidos-Grupo Santander, 2009.


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Appendix 1. Specimens studied (specimens with (*) were not investigated anatomically; specimens with (**) were used to investigate gametophyte development)

Blechnum serrrulatum

ARGENTINA. Corrientes: Departamento Santo Tomé, Ruta 41, Galarza, Reserva Natural provincial Iberá, 0–100 m, Arbo and al. 6551 y 6625 (LP). Departamento Mercedes, laguna Iberá, Paso Picada, Reserva Natural Provincial Iberá, Tressens and al. 3669 (BA). San Cayetano, Cuenca Río Riachuelo, s.coll., s.n. (SI 43950). San Miguel, Estancia San Juan Poriajhú, ruta 17, 18 km ruta 12, Potrero El Rodeíto, Tressens et al. 4192 (CTES). Reserva Provincial del Iberá, Costa W de la Laguna Iberá, Tressens et al. 4321 (CTES). Reserva Provincial del Iberá, Laguna de Iberá, Prada s.n. (MA) (**).

AUSTRALIA. [New South Wales]: ‘Bahía Botanica’ (Botany Bay), Née s.n. (MA 213368).

BELISE: Belise, Belise International Airport, Dwyer 9106 (LP).

BRASIL. Distrito Federal: restinga de Marapendí, de la Sota 2286 (LIL, LP). Reserva Ecológica do IGBE, Area do Corrego Taquara, 1015 m, Fonseca and Alvarenga 2154 (LP). Paraná: Villanova, Annies s.n. [Rosenstock filices Austrobrasil. Exsicc. 46] (BA5760). Paranaguá: Matinhos, Hatschbach 2438 (SI). Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara, restinga de Jacarepequá, próximo antigo Campo de Aviação, Pabst 8104 y 8105 (LP). ‘In arenosis humidis predominans’, Guanabara: Tijuca, restinga de Itapeba, próximo a Estação Climatológica, Castellanos 23582 (LP). Guanabara: Tijuca, Reserva Biológica de Jacarepaguá, Strang 7548 (LP). Guanabara: Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, ‘Casuarinas’, Strang 342 (LP). Guanabara: Tijuca, Strang 1164 (LP). Guanabara: Tijuca, Ilha do Govenador, Tubiacangá, Pabst and Sick 7386 (HB 27669, LP). Rondônia: basin of Rio Madeira, 216–219 km, Madeira–Mamoré railroad, near Abunã, Prance and al. 5825 (LP). Sãô Paulo: Campo, Estação Biológica, Campo Grande, 800 m, Smith 1998 (BA).

GUATEMALA. Petén, León 91 (F 2223291) (*).

HONDURAS. Departamento Gracias a Dios: alrededores de Puerto Lempira, Clare 167 (LP).

PARAGUAY: Alto Paraná, centro Forestal Alto Paraná, Hahn 2064 (LP).

Blechnum indicum

AUSTRALIA. New South Wales: swamp 3 miles south of Nelson Bay, Filson 3594 (NDW) (*).