Aspects of Spore Dispersal in Selaginella

Abstract

The evolution of heterospory changed the conditions for spore dispersal.Assuming wind as the dispersal agent, microspores will be dispersed to greater distances than megaspores.We investigated aspects of spore size and sculpture as well as spore dispersal under calm conditions and under the effect of artificial wind of some Selaginella species.We found that differences between the species existed that were correlated with active or passive release of microand megaspores.The dispersal efficacy changed drastically under the effect of wind, showing ■ 3 species.There was no support for the hypothesis of synaptospory between ig active dispersal.Evidence suggests that active spore dispersal and 3 outbreeding.More detailed investigations may reveal species specific corre-