华东安蕨卵发生的超微结构观察

核心薄囊蕨是蕨类植物中的进化类群,但对受精作用具有显著影响的卵发生研究仍较少,该文利用超微技术对其中蹄盖蕨科的华东安蕨卵发生过程进行了研究,以进一步完善薄囊蕨植物卵发生的科学资料,为理解蕨类植物的有性生殖及演化机制奠定基础。超微结构观察显示:华东安蕨的幼卵和沟细胞在颈卵器中紧密联接;随后,在卵细胞上方出现了分离腔和临时细胞壁,但在卵细胞中间孔区处卵细胞和腹沟细胞始终联接在一起;分离腔中的无定形物质沉积在卵细胞的质膜外形成了1层加厚的卵膜,而在孔区处没有形成卵膜,该位置最后形成了受精孔。在进一步的卵发生过程中,卵细胞核变得高度不规则,形成了大量的核外突和核褶皱。     

Formation of the Fertilization Pore during Oogenesis of the Fern Ceratopteris thalictroides

The development of the fertilization pore during oogenesis of the fern Ceratopteris thalictroides was followed using transmission electron microscopy. The newly formed egg is appressed closely to the adjacent cells. There are well-developed plasmodesmata between the egg and the ventral canal cell, but none between the egg and the jacket cells of the archegonium. During maturation, a separation cavity is formed around the egg. However, a pore region persistently connects the egg and the ventral canal cell. The extra egg membrane is formed by deposition of sheets of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but no ER is deposited on the inner surface of the pore region. Thus, a fertilization pore, covered by a layer of plasmalemma, is formed. The ventral canal cell undoubtedly participates the formation of the fertilization pore, probably by absorbing the sheets of ER beneath the pore region. The functional significance of the ventral canal cell in formation of the fertilization pore is discussed. The features of the mature egg include that abundant concentric membranes and osmiophilic vesicles occur in the cytoplasm of the mature egg. The initial, round nucleus of the egg eventually becomes cup-shaped. This investigation gives some new insights about the cells participating oogenesis in ferns.     

阔鳞瘤蕨(水龙骨科)卵细胞发育超微结构观察

水龙骨科是蕨类植物中最进化的类群,该文采用超微技术对水龙骨科的阔鳞瘤蕨(Phymatosorus hainanensis)卵发育过程进行观察,以完善薄囊蕨植物卵发生的资料,为揭示蕨类植物的有性生殖及演化机制奠定基础。结果表明:(1)幼卵、颈沟细胞、腹沟细胞通过胞间连丝紧密连接。(2)发育过程中,卵与腹沟细胞之间细胞壁显著加厚,将卵细胞与腹沟细胞隔离。(3)在壁的下方产生分离腔,内含大量不定形物质,但卵细胞与腹沟细胞在中间处始终相连。(4)分离腔中的不定形物质沉积在卵细胞质膜外形成了一层加厚的卵膜,而在连接区(孔区)处不形成卵膜,该位置最终形成了受精孔。(5)卵细胞核变得高度不规则,近成熟时卵核产生了大量的核外突。     

Ultrastructure of Oogenesis in Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai

The ultrastructure ofoogenesis in Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. The nucleus in the young egg is rounded with an uneven outline. As it develops, it becomes amoeboid and extends nuclear protrusions that are not only sac-like nuclear evaginations like those often seen in the oogenesis of other ferns, but also mushroom-like and finger-like, with an opening at their end allowing the nucleolus material to flow out from the openings. This has not been observed previously. The nuclear protrusions differ from Dryopterisfilix-mas (L.) Schott. in the absence of sheets of nuclear membrane in the form of a closed ring. As the egg matures, the nucleus transforms into a tuber-like structure with a smooth surface, lying transversely in the egg cell. In the immature egg, vesicles almost encircle the nucleus twice and are most remarkable. In the maturing egg, the vesicles are distributed at the periphery, except for at the top of the egg, and affect the formation of the separation cavity and extra egg membrane. Simultaneously, vesicles from the venter canal cell move to the egg and take part in the formation of separation cavity and extra egg membrane. In the mature egg, a large number of small vesicles containing fragments of lamellae or osmiophilic material emerge from the cytoplasm. The origin of these vesicles is obscure. Irregular plastids containing a cylindrical starch grain dedifferentiated progressively.Mitochondria seem to have been undeveloped during the process, but return to normal at later stages of oogenesis. There is a high frequency of ribosomes in the mature egg. Microtubules, rarely seen in the eggs of D.filix-mas (L.) Schott. and Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, have been observed inside the plasmalemma of the maturing egg in D. crassirhizoma.     

Ultrastructure of Oogenesis in Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai

The ultrastructure of oogenesis in Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. The nucleus in the young egg is rounded with an uneven outline. As it develops, it becomes amoeboid and extends nuclear protrusions that are not only sac-like nuclear evaginations like those often seen in the oogenesis of other ferns, but also mushroom-like and finger-like, with an opening at their end allowing the nucleolus material to flow out from the openings. This has not been observed previously. The nuclear protrusions differ from Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott. in the absence of sheets of nuclear membrane in the form of a closed ring. As the egg matures, the nucleus transforms into a tuber-like structure with a smooth surface, lying transversely in the egg cell. In the immature egg, vesicles almost encircle the nucleus twice and are most remarkable. In the maturing egg, the vesicles are distributed at the periphery, except for at the top of the egg, and affect the formation of the separation cavity and extra egg membrane. Simultaneously, vesicles from the venter canal cell move to the egg and take part in the formation of separation cavity and extra egg membrane. In the mature egg, a large number of small vesicles containing fragments of lamellae or osmiophilic material emerge from the cytoplasm. The origin of these vesicles is obscure. Irregular plastids containing a cylindrical starch grain dedifferentiated progressively.Mitochondria seem to have been undeveloped during the process, but return to normal at later stages of oogenesis. There is a high frequency of ribosomes in the mature egg. Microtubules, rarely seen in the eggs ofD. filix-mas (L.) Schott. and Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, have been observed inside the plasmalemma of the maturing egg in D. crassirhizoma.     

分株紫萁卵发生的超微结构

用透射电镜对蕨类植物分枝紫其(Osmunda cinnamamae L. var.asiatica Fernald)卵发生进行了超微结构的研究.卵发生过程中,许多泡囊不仅移向细胞周围,而且在细胞质膜内排为一列,并通过胞吐作用聚集在细胞质膜外,它们释放或分泌嗜锇物质.观察到少数泡囊内含片层状结构的嗜饿物质紧贴于细胞质膜,似乎将其冲破.与此同时,在卵细胞和颈卵器壁之间形成分离腔,其宽度大于以往报道的真蕨类,在卵细胞质膜外出现额外的卵膜,其宽度大于蕨属和鳞毛蕨属.造粉体被大型常呈三角状半圆形或近椭圆形的淀粉粒所充满,当卵成熟时逐渐减少.核大型平扁状,核内出现2~3对平行的双层膜,紧贴核膜.未发现核外突.线粒体一度似不发育,最后恢复正常.     

分株紫萁卵发生的超微结构

用透射电镜对蕨类植物分枝紫萁(Osmunda cinnamamae L. var. asiatica Fernald)卵发牛进行了超微结构的研究。卵发生过程中,许多泡囊不仅移向细胞周围,而且在细胞质膜内排为一列,并通过胞吐作用聚集在细胞质膜外,它们释放或分泌嗜锇物质。观察到少数泡囊内含片层状结构的嗜饿物质紧贴于细胞质膜,似乎将其冲破。与此同时,在卵细胞和颈卵器壁之问形成分离腔,其宽度大于以往报道的真蕨类,在卵细胞质膜外出现额外的卵膜,其宽度大于蕨属和鳞毛蕨属。造粉体被大型常呈三角状半圆形或近椭圆形的淀粉粒所充满,当卵成熟时逐渐减少。核大型平扁状,核内出现2-3对平行的双层膜,紧贴核膜。未发现核外突。线粒体一度似不发育,最后恢复正常。     

蕨类植物紫萁绒毡层细胞凋亡的细胞学特征

绒毡层凋亡过程是小孢子发生中的重要事件,以往的研究主要集中在被子植物,蕨类植物尚未见此方面的报道。该研究首次采用透射电镜和免疫荧光技术对蕨类植物紫萁(Osmunda japonica Thunb.)绒毡层细胞凋亡的细胞学过程进行了观察,以明确紫萁绒毡层细胞的发育类型和凋亡特征,为蕨类植物绒毡层细胞凋亡的深入研究以及孢子发育研究提供依据。结果显示：(1)紫萁的绒毡层属于复合型,即外层绒毡层为分泌型,该层细胞发育过程中液泡化,营养物质被吸收;内层绒毡层为原生质团型,经历了细胞凋亡的过程。(2)绒毡层内层细胞在凋亡过程中细胞壁和细胞膜降解,细胞质浓缩且空泡化;细胞核内陷、变形,染色质浓缩凝聚,形成多数小核仁,DAPI荧光由强变弱;线粒体、质体、内质网、高尔基体等细胞器逐渐退化,液泡中多包含纤维状物、絮状物、黑色嗜锇颗粒和小囊泡等;出现多泡体、多膜体和细胞质凋亡小体,上述特征与种子植物绒毡层凋亡特征基本一致。(3)与种子植物相比,紫萁绒毡层的细胞凋亡开始得早,在整个凋亡过程中没有核凋亡小体的产生;除了产生孢粉素外,绒毡层细胞内产生了大量的丝状物质、絮状物质和电子染色暗的颗粒物,这些物质可能用于...     

海金沙卵发生的组织化学研究

采用组织化学方法对海金沙（Lygodium japonicum （Thunb.） Sw.）卵发生进行了研究。高碘酸-锡夫反应（PAS反应）结果显示：颈沟和腹沟细胞外产生的黏性物质为多糖类物质;在卵细胞发生早期颈卵器细胞内均含有质体,且淀粉粒含量丰富,随着颈卵器的发育,卵细胞以及颈沟和腹沟细胞内淀粉粒数量和体积均逐渐减少,最后退化消失。苏丹黑B反应结果显示：海金沙颈沟和腹沟细胞外产生的黏性物质也含有脂类物质,而卵细胞内并未有明显脂类物质产生;卵细胞质膜处也并没有糖类或脂类物质的积累。本研究从组织化学角度佐证了海金沙的特殊性,即既有原始蕨类的特征,又有进化蕨类的特征。     

Cytological Events during Zygote Formation of the Fern Ceratopteris thalictroides

The cytological events, including nuclear fusion, digestion of male organelles and rebuilding of the plasmalemma and cell wall, during zygote formation of the fern Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn. are described based on the observations of transmission electron microscopy. When the spermatozoid enters the egg and contacts the cytoplasm, the male chromatin relaxes continually. The microtubular ribbon (MTr) is separated from the male nucleus and then an envelope reappears around the male nucleus. During nuclear fusion, the egg nucleus becomes highly irregular and extends some nuclear protrusions. It is proposed that the protrusions fuse with the male nucleus actively. After nuclear fusion the irregular zygotic nucleus contracts gradually. It becomes spherical before the zygote divides. The male chromatin is identifiable as fibrous structure in the zygotic nucleus in the beginning, but it gradually becomes diffused completely. The male organelles, including the MTr, multilayered structure, flagella and the male mitochondria are finally digested in the zygotic cytoplasm. Finally a new plasmalemma and cell wall are formed outside the protoplast. The organelles in the zygote are rearranged, which produces a horizontal polarity zygote. The zygote divides with an oblique-vertical cell plate facing the apical notch of the gametophyte.     

COMPARATIVE LEAF STRUCTURE OF SEVERAL SPECIES OF HOMOSPOROUS LEPTOSPORANGIATE FERNS

The structure of the mature leaves of 13 species from 9 families of homosporous leptosporangiate ferns was examined by light and electron microscopy. In 11 species (Adiantum pedatum L., Athyrium angustum Roth., Cyathea dregei Sm., Lygodium palmatum Sw., Mohria caffrorum (L.) Desv., Oleandra distenta Kuntae, Pellaea calomelanos (Sw.) Link, Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link var. austro-americana (Domn.) Farw., Trichomanes melanotrichum Schlechtend., Vittaria guineensis Desv., and Woodwardia orientalis Sw.) the lamina veins are collateral; in two (Phlebodium aureum and Platycerium bifurcatum), bicollateral as well as collateral veins are present. The vascular bundles in the midribs of C. dregei and those in the petioles and midribs of Phlebodium and Platycerium are concentric. All of the vascular bundles in the homosporous leptosporangiate ferns studied are delimited by a tightly arranged cylinder of endodermal cells with Casparian strips. Within the veins without parenchymatic xylem sheaths, some sieve elements commonly abut tracheary elements with hydrolyzed primary walls. The majority of vascular parenchyma cells contact both sieve elements and tracheary elements, although some parenchyma cells are associated with only one type of conducting cell. Transfer cells (parenchyma cells with wall ingrowths) occur in the veins of 6 species examined. Most of the vascular parenchyma cells, however, have no distinctive structural characteristics. The sieve elements of the homosporous leptosporangiate ferns are very similar structurally and each consists of a plasmalemma, a parietal, anastomosing network of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and variable numbers of refractive spherules, plastids and mitochondria. The sieve elements of L. palmatum also contain plasmalemma tubules. The parenchymatic cells of the leaf (mesophyll, endodermal and vascular parenchyma cells) are united by desmotubule-containing plasmodesmata. The sieve elements are connected to each other by sieve pores and to parenchymatic cells by pore-plasmodesma connections. The sieve-area pores contain variable amounts of membranous material, apparently ER membranes, but do not occlude them. These membranes commonly are found in continuity with the parietal ER of the lumen. Based upon the relative frequencies of cytoplasmic connections between cell types, the photosynthates may move from the mesophyll to the site of phloem loading via somewhat different pathways in different species of homosporous leptosporangiate ferns.     

Western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl.) reproduction: I. Gametophyte development

Male and female gametophyte development are described from light and transmission electron microscope preparations of ovules from first and second year Pinus monticola Dougl. seed cones. In the first year of development, pollen tubes penetrate about one-third the distance through the nucellus. The generative cell and tube nucleus move into the pollen tube. The megagametophyte undergoes early free nuclear division. First-year seed cones and pollen tubes become dormant in mid-July. In the second year, seed cones and pollen tubes resume development in April and the pollen tubes grow to the megagametophyte by mid-June. Early in June the generative cell undergoes mitosis, forming two equal-size sperm nuclei that remain within the generative cell cytoplasm. The generative cell has many extensions and abundant mitochondria and plastids. The megagametophyte resumes free nuclear division, then cell wall formation begins in early July. Cell wall formation and megagametophyte development follow the pattern found in other Pinaceae. Three to five archegonial initials form. The primary neck cell divides, forming one tier of neck cells. Jacket cells differentiate around each central cell. The central cell enlarges and becomes vacuolate; then vacuoles decrease in size and the cell divides, forming a small ventral canal cell and a large egg. Plastids in the central cell engulf large amounts of cytoplasm and enlarge. This process continues in the egg, and the peripheral cytoplasm of the egg becomes filled with transformed plastids. Mitochondria migrate around the nucleus, forming a perinuclear zone. The wide area of egg cytoplasm between these two zones has few organelles. A modified terminology for cells involved in microgametophyte development is recommended. Received: 9 December 1999 / Revision accepted: 30 April 2000     

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF OOGENESIS IN MARCHANTIA POLYMORPHA

Archegonium development, beginning with the archegonial initial and culminating in the mature egg, was studied with the electron microscope. The ultrastructural features of the beginning stages in development of the archegonium are relatively similar to one another. Plasmodesmata occur between all adjacent cells at this time. After the secondary central cell is formed these protoplasmic connections are lost, and both axial and parietal cell lineages begin to show signs of ultrastructural differentiation. The mature egg is characterized by cytoplasm rich in ribosomes and larger organelles. Mitochondria and simplified plastids commonly display a juxtaposed association. As far as could be ascertained the numerous plastids and mitochondria in the egg of Marchantia arise through division of preexisting organelles and are not formed anew from evaginations of the nucleus. Blebbing of the nucleus produces polymorphic organelles which appear to be pinched off into the cytoplasm. The mature egg also contains vacuoles and lipid bodies toward its periphery, while dictyosomes and extensive endoplasmic reticulum occur throughout. The space between the wall cells and the mature egg appears to contain an amorphous substance. No extra membrane was observed around the mature egg.     

地钱卵发育超微结构和细胞化学的研究

采用电镜和细胞化学技术对地钱(Marchantia polymorpha)卵发生过程进行了研究,根据卵发生过程中细胞化学和超微结构特征可将卵发育过程分为幼卵、中期卵和成熟卵3个阶段.幼卵阶段,卵细胞、腹沟细胞及颈沟细胞间有发达的胞间连丝,但卵与腹沟细胞间的胞间连丝很快退化,幼卵细胞内具大量透明的囊泡,均匀分布于细胞质中;卵发育中期,突出特征是卵细胞质内产生嗜锇性的脂滴,位于囊泡中,与此同时,腹沟细胞退化,其细胞质内产生大型囊泡,囊泡内分泌物与卵细胞外的物质类似,呈PAS反应阳性,表明该物质应为多糖类;卵成熟时,腹沟细胞和颈沟细胞完全退化,卵细胞外包被大量粘性多糖类物质,卵细胞核表面不规则,产生明显的核外突,众多的小泡围绕着细胞核,脂滴聚集成簇,卵细胞内其他细胞器不易区分.卵发育过程中,质体不含淀粉粒,线粒体退化,高尔基体相对发达.地钱卵发育的这些特征显著区分于蕨类植物.     

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN EPHEDRA NEVADENSIS (EPHEDRACEAE): FURTHER EVIDENCE OF DOUBLE FERTILIZATION IN A NONFLOWERING SEED PLANT

Since the initial discovery of double fertilization in angiosperms in 1898, a number of reports of double fertilization-like events in the genus Ephedra have appeared. Until recently, convincing documentation of double fertilization in Ephedra had not been presented. In Ephedra nevadensis, following entry of a single binucleate sperm cell into the egg cell, one sperm nucleus migrates in a chalazal direction to fuse with the egg nucleus. Contemporaneous with this first fertilization event, the ventral canal nucleus regularly migrates from its initially apical position within the egg cell to a more central position within the egg cytoplasm, where it fuses with a second sperm nucleus. Based on quantitative microspectrofluorometric analysis, occasional supernumerary nuclei within the egg cell (derived by migration through pores in the cell walls between jacket cells and the central cell or egg cell) can be ruled out as participating in the second fertilization event. The evolutionary establishment of double fertilization in Ephedra (or its ancestors) was dependent on a number of specific developmental preconditions: 1) persistence of the ventral canal nucleus (which is degenerate in many groups of nonflowering seed plants) through the time of normal fertilization; 2) regular displacement of the ventral canal nucleus from its initially apical position within the egg cell to a position within the egg cytoplasm where fusion of the egg nucleus with the first sperm nucleus earlier occurred; 3) acquisition of egg-like features by the ventral canal nucleus that allow it to attract and fuse with a sperm nucleus; and 4) consistent entry of a second sperm nucleus into the archegonial cavity to participate in a second fertilization event. Although it cannot be determined definitively whether double fertilization in Ephedra is evolutionarily homologous with double fertilization in flowering plants, comparative evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that double fertilization arose in a common ancestor of the Gnetales and angiosperms.     

CYTOLOGICAL BASIS FOR CYTOPLASMIC INHERITANCE IN PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII. II. FERTILIZATION AND PROEMBRYO DEVELOPMENT

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) ovules were used to study male gamete formation, insemination of the egg, and free nuclear and cellular proembryo development. Two male nuclei form as the pollen tube either reaches the megaspore wall or as it enters the archegonial chamber. No cell wall separates them. They are contained within the body-cell cytoplasm. A narrow extension of the pollen tube separates the neck cells and penetrates the ventral canal cell. The pollen tube then releases its contents into the egg cytoplasm. The two male gametes and a cluster of paternal organelles (plastids and mitochondria) migrate within the remains of the body-cell cytoplasm toward the egg nucleus. Microtubules are associated with this complex. The leading male gamete fuses with the egg nucleus. The zygote nucleus undergoes free nuclear division, but the cluster of paternal organelles remains discrete. Free nuclei, paternal and maternal nucleoplasm, maternal perinuclear cytoplasm, and the cluster of paternal organelles migrate en masse to the chalazal end of the archegonium. There, paternal and maternal organelles intermingle to form the neocytoplasm, the nuclei divide, and a 12-cell proembryo is formed. The importance of male nuclei or cells, the perinuclear zone, and large inclusions in cytoplasmic inheritance are discussed in the Pinaceae and in other conifer families. This completes a two-part study to determine the fate of paternal and maternal plastids and mitochondria during gamete formation, fertilization, and proembryo development in Douglas fir.     

The Structure of the Canal Cell in the Style of Lilium regale

The fine structure of canal cell in the style of Lilium regale has been observed under light and electron microscopes by OMA thin section method and ultra-thin section method respectively. The ultrastructural specialization of the canal cells during their functional stages may be characterized as follows: 1. The cell wall on the secretory face of the canal cell has numerous branched ingrowths extending into the cytoplasm, and the plasmalemma closely follows the contours of the ingrowths to form the wall-membrane apparatus. This pattern of distribution of plasmalemma increases the surface-volume ratio of the cell to facilitate the secretion of solutes out of the cell. 2. The cell wall under the thin layer of cuticle on the outside of the secretory face is digested starting from the outer part and gradually extending to the inner part to form a large space, the temporary secretory layer. During the secretion of products by the cell, the thin layer of cuticle becomes ruptured in many places and finally disappeared. Therefore the cell wall of the secretory face remains a thin layer only at that time. The change of the layers of the cell wall is involved in the mechanism of cell secretion. 3. The ultrastructural characteristics of the canal cell indicate that this cell is active in synthesis, intercellular transport and energyn metabolism. Some of the major facts seen in all cases included the highly lobing of nucleus, abundance of endoplasmie reticulum throughout the cytoplasm and well developed mitochondria, dictyosomes and polysomes. During the secretory stage of the cell, mitochondria apparently concentrate near the wall-membrane apparatus. 4. There are numerous granular and vesicular structures near the wall-membrane apparatus on the secretory face, especially at the space between wall ingrowths and plasmalemma. The presence of these granular and vesicular structures is thought to be related to the secretory function of the cell. According to the specialized characteristics the canal cell is evidently a typical transfer cell of the secretory type.     

峨眉凤丫蕨配子体发育及卵发生的研究

用显微观察及透射电镜技术对峨眉凤丫蕨的配子体发育及卵发生过程进行了观察研究,以探讨其卵发生细胞学机制及蕨类植物演化关系。结果表明:(1)峨眉凤丫蕨孢子接种7～9d萌发,经丝状体和片状体阶段发育为心形原叶体,成熟原叶体雌雄同株,在原叶体基部产生精子器,在原叶体生长点下方产生颈卵器。(2)卵发生研究表明,峨眉凤丫蕨颈卵器产生于生长点下方的表面细胞,该细胞经2次分裂形成3层细胞,中间者为初生细胞,它经2次不等分裂产生卵细胞、腹沟细胞和颈沟细胞;新产生的卵与腹沟细胞间连接紧密,有发达的胞间连丝,随着发育,卵细胞与腹沟细胞之间产生分离腔,而腹沟细胞与卵细胞始终通过孔区相连;发育中期,卵核形成大量核外突;发育后期,在卵细胞外侧形成卵膜,孔区演变为受精孔,核外突数量减少。     

The structure and development of haustorial placentas in leptosporangiate ferns provide a clear-cut distinction between euphyllophytes and lycophytes

This light and electron microscope study revealed that leptosporangiate ferns have highly distinctive gametophyte-sporophyte junctions characterized by sporophytic haustoria, the absence of intraplacental spaces and degenerating cells, and the early appearance of wall ingrowths in both generations. Other notable cytological features are highly pleomorphic plastids and mitochondrial aggregates in the gametophytic placental cells. Close similarities with the gametophyte-sporophyte junctions in Tmesipteris and major differences from those of homosporous lycophytes are in line with the placement of psilophytes and ferns in the same clade and distance both from lycophytes. A smooth interface between the two generations in Azolla suggests a clear-cut discontinuity between homosporous and heterosporous ferns, although this is the only heterosporous fern investigated to date. Similarities between the gametophyte-sporophyte junctions of leptosporangiate ferns and hornworts, when balanced against differences between them, are considered more likely the result of parallel evolution rather than homology.