Observations on spore morphology of the Chinese liverworts

The spore morphology of 9 species of 3 genera of Chinese liverworts was studied by scanning electron microscopic observation. They are Riccia huebeneriana Lindenb., R. hantamensis Perold., R. cavernosa Hoffin., R. warnstorfii Limpr. ex Warnst., R. frostii Aust., R. chinensis Herz., Asterella yoshinagana (Horik.) Horik., A. sanguinia L. et L., and Preissia quadrata (Scop.) Nees. There were evident morphological differences in spores among the above three genera. Difference of species morphology in the same genus was also observed. Therefore in the above genera and species the spore-wall ornamentation can be regarded as a criterion for taxonomic specificity. Meanwhile, slight difference in morphological characters of the same species collected from different sites was observed and reckoned to be an ecological adaptation.