Spore Morphology of 34 Species of Monilophyta from Northern Parts of Iran

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the 34spores species by using SEM that grown in Northern parts of Iran as a contribution to the knowledge about the general morphology and assess if these characteristics could be useful for systematic purpose.
Methodology: For Scanning Electron Microscope, the material treated with hot 3% sodium carbonate, for 2 min, washed, dehydrated, suspended in 96% ethanol and then transferred to acetate plates and finally coated with gold. The shape, ornamentation, the equatorial and polar diameter, and the number of cells in annulus in 38 spores were studied.
Results: ornamentations of spores consist of rugulate, ornate, echinate or microechinate, verrucate, perforate and spinule or spinuluse. Based on our results the identification key was devised using spore characteristics.
Conclusion: Based on our results, the spore sculpture could be useful for systematic purpose, specially in Polypodiaceae, Thelypteridaceae and Hydrofilicinae ferns.