Encalypta longicollis, Bruch, 1832

Encalypta longicollis View in CoL ( Figs. 3 View Fig , 4 View Fig )

This species is known as having the greatest number of layers among arthrodontous mosses. Some of them are obviously developed at the later stages during sporogenesis, as at the earlier stages used in the present analysis sequence of divisions results in pattern characterised by the following formulae: 2:1 — 2:2:1— 4:4:2:2 — 4:4:4:2:2 — 8:4:4:2:2. The IPL:PPL cells thickness ratio is 1.4–2:1. Anticlinal divisions occur at the later stages in few PPL cells ( Fig. 3G View Fig ). In some sectors the peristomial formula comprises 4:2:3 pattern ( Fig. 3H View Fig ), although this case was observed in only one series of sections. Various irregularities, including, e.g., anticlinal divisions in some PPL cells, are more numerous comapred to E. procera . Longitudinal sections ( Figs. 3 A, B View Fig ) illustrate less regular cell arrangement in E. longicollis compared to E. procera ( Fig. 2 C View Fig ).

Multilayered peristome at its mature stage is shown in Fig. 4 View Fig . It is formed of five layers with decomposed cell content only in outermost and innermost layers. Content of cells corresponding to PPL, OPL1 and OPL2 transforms into the fibrillose substance that fills them, without any tendency for sedimentation along cell walls ( Figs. 4 D, F View Fig ). Berberin staining of cell walls indicates the position of cellulose only at cell walls ( Fig. 4E View Fig ), thus the substance filling the main volume of cells remains unknown.