In: Biology
Compare and contrast the appearance and function of the elaters in Marchantia and Equisetum.
In bryophytes and pteridophytes, elaters are elongated threadlike structures that assist in the dispersal of spores. In both cases, the elaters are hygroscopic, thus in the presence of high humidity they swell and as a result of the sporangia or the capsules burst open, releasing the spores. In the case of Equisetum sp. the elaters help in the movement of spores in the air.
However, the appearance or structure of the elaters in Marchantia sp. and Equisetum sp. varies.
In the case of Marchantia sp. the elaters are elongated, thread-like cells which have a spiral thickening.
But in horsetails i.e Equisetum, the elaters arise from the epispore also called as exosporium which is the outermost layer of the spore. The epispore is differentiated and forms four ribbon-like appendages. The tips of the appendages are spoonlike.