Elater mechanism for spore dispersal is exhibited by (a) liverworts (b) Marchantia (c) Riccia (d) Funaria.
Option B Marchantia is a liverwort in which the sex organs are borne on disc shaped 8lobed receptacles borne at the tip of vertical gametophores. Sperms are attracted to opened archegonia by proteins and K + salts. Fertilization produces a parasitic sporophyte made of foot, seta and capsule. The capsule encloses sporocytes and elaters. These elaters show twisting movements due to spiral bands of thickenings and this leads to liberation and dispersal of spores. In Riccia elaters are absent and in Funaria peristome teeth help in spore dispersal
