WILD GAMETOPHYTES OF PHANEROSORUS MAJOR (MATONIACEAE)

The gametophytes of Phanerosorus major collected from wild populations in Seram Island are described. Young gametophytes are slender, ribbon-like and uniformly one cell thick. They develop to old gametophytes with a broad thick cushion and coarsely ruffled wings. The gametophytes are monoecious and protandrous, although archegonia-bearing thalli occasionally become antheridia-bearing. Massive antheridia form on the ventral surface of young and old gametophytes while archegonia are borne on the cushion of old ones. Both young and old gametophytes reproduce vegetatively. The gametophytic characters are compared with those of Matonia. The life cycle of P. major is discussed with reference to its ecology.