Jones, G. D., V. M. Bryant Jr., M. H. Lieux, S. D. Jones and P. D. Lingren, 1995

Reviewed by David M. Jarzen*, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario,
in CAP Newsletter 18(3):22-23, 1995.

Some CAP Newsletter readers may recall the article I submitted for the December 1994 issue of the Newsletter on Palynology and the Mole Cricket (Volume 17, Number 2). In that article I discussed a project that I was working on with researchers at the University of Florida. We were attempting to identify pollen adhering to, or in the gut of, flies (Ormia depleta) that were predators on the destructive mole cricket. My problem in identifying the pollen, was that most of the pollen found was external, that is, adhering to the head area of the flies. SEM photographs were my source for most of the identifications. Until the publication of the Jones, Bryant, et al. Atlas, my source of comparative SEM photographs was indeed very limited.

The very purpose of developing the Atlas, as stated by the authors, ...to assist research involving the association of pollen and insects... certainly fit the work I was doing and has already proven to be a valuable addition to my library. Even before I began using the Atlas, I was struck by the utility and format of the publication. The Atlas is hardcover, spiral bound, with large size pages (Palynology format) and opens flat; a real bonus when flipping back and forth through the pages and making comparisons through the 'scope or with numerous photographs.

The main text of the Atlas discusses the availability of other atlases, their strengths and limitations; the methods and procedures used in preparing pollen used in the plates; and a discussion on the value (necessity really) of collecting voucher specimens and collecting pollen samples from prepared herbarium material. This latter section on the use of herbarium material I found very well written, and of major concern to palynologists.

Herbarium curators are sometimes a cautious lot, and tend to fear the onslaught of palynologists eager to obtain a supply of modern pollen for their reference collections. I have visited many of the world s larger herbaria and often needed to spend considerable time assuring the curators that I would not damage or rape the sheets of all flowers or spore-bearing material. Jones, Bryant et al. have clearly outlined the steps needed to make the necessary collections of pollinferous material, while at the same time protecting the herbarium specimens. Palynologists could refer curators to this section of the Atlas before collecting specimens, as an indication that we are professionals and respect the needs of the herbarium staff and collections.

Most of the Atlas is devoted to the plates (104) and listings of the photomicrographs, searchable in a variety of ways. A family list itemizes the species illustrated, their pollen ornamentation and aperture configuration. A second list is quite similar but is referenced by genus, species and infraspecific ranks investigated within that genus. These lists provide a quick reference to the pollen types expected within a given taxon. Lists of aperture type and ornamentation type follow and give an overview of taxa sharing the same or similar morphological features. A final list sorts all pollen types by micrograph number. Jones, Bryant et al. have opted to make our search for a taxon, its pollen type and ornamentation as easy as possible.

The 104 black and white plates illustrate pollen specimens of excellent quality, in both polar and equatorial orientation, with each individual micrograph bearing its own bar scale. The plates are arranged by surface ornamentation type from psilate through to reticulate. Thus, similar pollen types are found near each other, again facilitating comparisons. In some ways this replaces the usual key to pollen types of other atlases, by providing a visual key.

Overall I found the Atlas extremely valuable for my work, and urge all palynologists concerned with making comparisons of their unknown pollen forms with modern pollen taxa, to add this Atlas to their libraries. As a closing note, I must comment on the cover micrograph selected by the authors. The photograph is that of seven pollen grains of Helianthus annuus L., arranged in a closed circle of six grains with the seventh grain placed neatly in the center of the circle. The grains are all in perfect, clean condition, and aligned with geometric accuracy. What is truly remarkable about this photograph is that the arrangement of the grains was a purely serendipitous occurrence!! What an Atlas!!

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*Present address: Florida Museum of Natural History, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Florida, P.O.Box 117800, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7800, U.S.A.