CRYPTOSPORES

Anteturma cryptosporites Richardson et al. 1984

CRYPTOSPORES: Non-marine sporomorphs (non-pollen grains) without those typical visible haptotypic features such as trilete marks or furrows which characterize tracheophye spores and pollen grains.  Single grains or monads, "permanent" dyads and tetrads are included as are sporomorphs separated from polyads which may or may not preserve contact areas (modified from Richardson et al. 1984, p. 116, and Richardson 1988, p.93.) Remarks; The cryptospores are clearly a class defined by exclusion.  The ecological term "non-marine" is meant to exclude the cryptospores from the Acritarcha, given that the acritarchs represent the cysts of marine algae.  Thus, non-marine algal cysts, such as those belonging to Chlorella sp. would be included.  Alete spores which are known to be derived from the Tracheidatae (sensu Bremer et al. 1987) are excluded. The term, "permanent" is meant to reflect the tendency for meiospores to remain attached to each other, forming polyads which function as diaspores. From Strother (1991). References: Knoll, A. H. 1996. Archean and Proterozoic paleontology. pp. 51-80 in: Jansonius & McGregor (eds.) Palynology principles and applications. AASP Foundation. Strother, P.K. 1991. A classification schema for the cryptospores. Palynology, 15: 219-236. Timofejew, B.W. 1963. Lebensspuren in meteoriten. Resultate einer microphytologischen analyse. Grana Palynologica 4: 92-99. (Traverse, 1995)

Owen Davis 12/99