J. Szweykowski et K. Buczkowska, Cell walls as taxonomic markers in Polish species of the genus Odontoschisma (Dum.) Dum. (Hepaticae, Cephaloziaceae), ACT SOC BOT, 68(1), 1999, pp. 39-45
To get valuable diagnostic characters, the structure of cell walls was stud
ied with use of two stains (Ruthenium Red -RR- and Resorcine Blue - RB) and
in polarized light. As far as the stem structure is concerned, European sp
ecies of the genus Odontoschisma fall into two groups: in Odontoschisma elo
ngatum and in Odontoschisma macounii a thick, frequently completely obscuri
ng cell lumen, "lining layer" is present. It frequently, particularly after
staining in RE, detaches from the rest of the cell wall. Such a layer is c
ompletely lacking in the two remaining species, viz. O, sphagni and O. denu
datum. In polarized light only leaves of O. sphagni show a distinct bright
border. The thin cellulose layer (bright in polarized light) embrace the an
gular thickenings in O. sphagni and O. denudatum, but is entering the insid
e of these thickenings in the two remaining species. Keys for determination
of the four European species based an the staining properties of cell wall
s and their look in polarized light are provided.