GAMETOPHYTE DEVELOPMENT IN LOPHOSORIA-QUA DRIPINNATA (FILICALES, LOPHOSORIACEAE)

The dormancy of spores of Lophosoria quadripinnata ranges from 8 to 12 days; the germination pattern is of the Cyathea-type and the prothall ial development is of the Adiantum-type. Five-celled antheridia were o bserved after 72 days and the basally-located archegonia appeared afte r 270-285 days. The adult gametophytes are isodiametrical, short-winge d, spatulate or cordiform, without pluricellular hairs. No sporophytes were obtained after three years in culture. The main differences betw een our observations and those of other authors include the dormancy p eriod, the type of prothallia, the number of cells in the antheridia a nd pluricellular hairs. In addition to the description of the gametoph ytes of Lophosoria found in the literature, our experiments in vitro c ontribute to extend the knowledge of this genus. Additional data which support the natural segregation of Lophosoria (Lophosoriaceae) from t he rest of the Cyatheaceae, according to their gametophyte morphology, confirm the conclusions previously reached by other authors based on the characteristics of the sporophyte.