Spore types in Lomariopsis . A. Smooth (L. japurensis), which has evolved independently in the genus. B. Crested (L. sorbifolia), characteristic of the Sorbifolia -group. C. Lacy (L. hederacea ), characteristic of the African-Madagascan species in the Japurensis -group. D. Spiny (L. prieuriana), characteristic of the neotropical species (and two nested African ones) of the Japurensis -group. (A-C by Judith Garrison Hanks and Robbin Moran; D by Donald McClelland.)
The spores of Lomariopsis correlate well with the family tree. The Sorbifolia group has crested spores, the main variation being in the length and completeness of the crests. The neotropical clade of the Japurensis group has spiny spores (including the two African species nested with it). The African-Madagascan clade has lacy spores. So far, we have examined with the SEM the spores of only 18 species. Nearly all of these images are posted (to view these click here, then type Lomariopsis in the taxon search field). We need to examine the rest of the species in the genus to determine whether these spore relationships with phylogeny hold.
To see all available spore images, click here, then type "Lomariopsis" in the taxon search field.