ONLINE IMAGE COLLECTION

Click on Image for JPG rendition
Image Title: Whole mount of fragment of sporangial epidermis from a Sphagnum girgensohnii capsule subjected to high temperature acid hydrolysis
Image Credit: Scott B. Kroken, University of California
AJB Editor: Karl Niklas, Cornell University
Intended End User: Teacher, Student
License Details: BSA - Terms for Image Use
For Larger Version (click here)

About the Image

Whole mount of fragment of sporangial epidermis from a Sphagnum girgensohnii capsule subjected to high temperature acid hydrolysis. All cell walls have survived due to presence of resistant, autofluorescentwall compounds.Cell sizes,shapes, and patterns closely resemble those of Ordovician and later microfossils classified as "dispersed cuticles." This suggests that the mose ancient microfossils consisting of cellular sheets may represent some of the earliest known remains of plant sporophytic tissues.

Link to the AJB Abstract for the article:

Occurrence and evolutionary significance of resistant cell wall in charophytes and bryophytes

National Science Foundation  Development Supported by the National Science Foundation