Structural Modification of Degraded Fossil Sporomorphs

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The need to study fossil sporomorphs by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is emphasized. Previously describe species of fossil sporomorphs must be reinvestigated using the TEM. During fossilization and laboratory preparation, the fine structure of the spore and pollen wall may be damaged. Several types of destruction of the fine structure of the sporoderm are as follows: changes prroduced during sedimentation; damage to wall structure during the maceration process of the sediments; alteration of the ultrastrucutre during preparation for TEM; and wall degradation of fern spores, pollen grains of gymnosperms and angiosperm pollen. The outer layer of some pollen grains is completely destroyed. Thus, results obtained from SEM and LM images of sporomorph specimens may be deceptive.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: