New chromosome count for Blechnum hastatum (Blechnaceae-Pteridophyta), with a study of the ontogeny and types of adult leptosporangia

Abstract

A new chromosome count on Blechnum hastatum, together with the study of the ontogeny and development of the leptosporangia of this taxon, and of B. occidentale is carried out here. Adult leptosporangia of other taxa of the genus Blechnum, such as those of B. australe subsp. auriculatum, B. glandulosum and B. mochaenum subsp. mochaenum are also compared. In relation with the cytology of B. hastatum, 33 bivalents at diakinesis were counted, indicating that it is a diploid with a chromosome number 2n=66, which coincides with a previous count, and also places the taxon in the sequence of basic chromosome numbers known for the genus, ie x=33, which seems to be the most frequent. The ontogeny of the leptosporangia was studied for the first time in B. hastatum and B. occidentale. The sporangia initiate from a single initial epidermal cell, which may belong to the commissural area or to the indusia; they develop a long pedicel with three rows of long or short cells, short cells being the most common condition found in B. hastatum, while long cells were seen in B. occidentale. The pedicels are at their maximum length before the capsule ripens. The stomium usually bears no more than 6-8 cells in all species, with a labiate aperture. The capsules have an indurated vertical annulus, that reach the base of the capsule, and have up to 14 cells in B. australe subsp. auriculatum and B. glandulosum, up to 18 in B. hastatum and up to 21 in B. mochaenum subsp. mochaenum and B. occidentale; the number of indurate cells may be a new useful diagnostic trait in the genus.