Aperture types withinSapranthus andPolyalthia (Annonaceae)

Within the large palaeotropical genusPolyalthia so far five different pollen types are described (two monosulcate types, two disulcate types, and a single omniaperturate type). One of the disulcatePolyalthia types is similar to the disulcate neotropical genusSapranthus. All the newly described types differ predominantly not in exine but rather in intine characters. From this it can be concluded that seemingly inaperturate grains are disculcate in function, generally with two clearly recognizable germination zones, or omniaperturate, with the whole sporoderm capable of germination. The functions of the intine layers within the germination zones and within the nongerminating areas are very different and cooperate during the first germination steps in bursting the exine. It is difficult clearly to define the germination zones of pollen grains if the exine exhibits no modifications. Based on our and other results a more precise definition is suggested.