Palynological analysis of Doryopteris species (Pteridaceae/Pteridophyta) from North-West Argentina

The spores of the following Doryopteris J. Smith species growing in North-W est Argentina were studied: D. concolor (Langsd. & Fisch.) Kuhn, D. crenula ns (Fee) H. Christ., D. lorentzil (Hieron.) Diels, D. nobilis (T. Moore) C. Chr., D. pedata (L.) Fee var. multipartita (Fee) R.M. Tryon and D. triphyl la (Lam.) H. Christ. The study involved the analysis of herbarium material using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission elect ron microscopy. The spores are trilete, subtriangular to spheroidal and 25- 41 mum in equatorial diameter. The exospore is 1-2 mum thick, compact and h as a smooth surface. The perispore is the wall that offers the greatest div ersity of character. It has an irregular thickness varying between 0.6 and 3.9 mum. Three layers, the middle of which is camerate, can be distinguishe d in this wall in all the species. The sculpture is either rugulate or cris tate.