Transcript Bryophytes - Utah State University: Intermountain Herbarium

Kindbergia oregana
Photo: Surrey W.L. Jacobs
Bryophytes
For Biology 2410
Utah State University
Kindbergia oregana
Photo: Surrey W.L. Jacobs
Three groups
hornwort
mosses
Leafy liverwort
Characteristics
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Chlorophyll a, Starch, Cellulose
No lignin
Usually no conductive tissue, sometimes
poorly developed tissue
Gametophyte dominant, perennial
Sporophyte parasitic on gametophyte
NEED MOIST ENVIRONMENT, when
active
Structure: Gametophyte
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Gametophore – leafy
structure or thick,
conspicuous part
Gametophore produces
archegonia and
antheridia – which
produce gametes
Moss
gametophore
Leafy
Liverwort
Thallose
liverwort
Sex!
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Sperm swim from antheridia
into archegonia and fertilize
egg
Sporophyte grows out of
archegonium
Archegonia,
with egg
Antheridia
Structure: Sporophyte
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Sporophyte produces
capsule
In capsule: MEIOSIS,
produces spores
Spores fall to ground
and germinate to form
protonema, first stage
of gametophyte
generation
Protonema
Moss
Protonema
Liverwort
Hornwort
Nutrition
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Autotrophic
Gametophore most important for
energy capture
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[In mosses and hornworts some photosynthesis in
sporophyte]
Absorb water and nutrients through
leaves/body and rhizoids
Some conduction by capillary action
Distribution & Role
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Most abundant in humid, temperate or
tropical regions
Intercept rains drops – prevent wash-outs
Pioneers
Soil protection
100 years to regenerate trees; 300 years to
regenerate bryophyte flora
Shelter and food
Three groups
hornwort
mosses
Leafy liverwort
Mosses
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Most abundant
bryophytes
Persistent
sporophyte
Leaves 3-ranked
Leaves not lobed,
mostly 1 cell thick
Leaves often with
costa
Moss Sporophyte
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Persistent
Seta + capsule
Capsule has:
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Sporangium
Peristome teeth
Operculum
Covered by calyptra
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Calyptra = Top of
archegonium
Peristome
teeth
teeth
Hairy calyptras
Liverworts
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Two kinds
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Leafy
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Well-defined leaves
Ill-defined leaves
Thallose
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Big, dichotomous
lobes
Small, rosettes
Liverworts
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Leafy – 2 or 3 rows
Leaves often lobed
Leaves no costa
Two layouts
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Incubus – water catching
Succubus – roof style
Underleaves …
Sporophyte ephemeral
Capsule splits