Las esporas recientes de los musci (Bryophyta) de las turberas de Sphagnum de tierra del fuego

Abstract

Significant variation in moss spore morphology is demonstrated by the observation and description of the spores of 14 moss species which are typical elements of Sphagnum bogs from Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). Spore analysis in the light microscope and in the scanning electron microscope enables easy identification of families, most of the genera and also some species from the recent moss flora. It is suggested that these observations should also allow identification of moss spores from Quaternary peat deposits in the same area where they are expected to occur. Thus, moss spore morphology provides information relevant to taxonomic and phylogenetic as well as paleopalynological studies