In this article we will discuss about the similarities and difference between pteridophytes and bryophytes.
Similarities between Pteridophytes and Bryophytes:
1. Life history always encompasses a heteromorphic alternation of generations.
2. Gametophyte generally lacks vascular tissue and is predominantly parenchymatous.
3. Sporophyte reproduces by spore formation and spores are always haploid.
4. Sex organs are multicellular and male sex organ is antheridium and female is archegonium.
5. Sexual reproduction is oogamous.
6. Male gametes are motile and female non motile.
7. Reduction division takes place in the sporophyte before spore formation, whereas mitotic division produces the gametes.
8. There is no separate asexual reproduction by spores as noticed in Algae and Fungi.
9. Organs of anchorage are rhizoids in all bryophytes and in some pteridophytes (psilotopsida).
10. Spores are of one kind in all bryophytes and in a good number of pteridophytes.
11. Fertilization is internal but the presence of moisture is essential as there is no siphonogamy.
12. Sperms are attracted chemotactically towards the archegonia in both groups.
Differences between Pteridophytes and Bryophytes:
1. The predominant plant body is a sporophyte in pteridophytes, while it is a gametophyte in bryophytes.
2. The sporophyte is relatively undifferentiated and does not go beyond root, seta and capsule, while in pteridophytes it is distinguished into root, stem, leaves etc.
3. The sporophyte is dependant on the gametophyte in bryophytes, while in pteridophytes both are independent.
4. The gametophyte in bryophytes may be thalloid or leafy, but in pteridophytes it is always thalloid.
5. Rhizoids are of two types in bryophytes, whereas they are of only one kind in pteridophytes.
6. Archegonia and antheridia of pteridophytes are highly reduced when compared to those of bryophytes.
7. There is no vasculature in bryophytes, but the sporophytes of pteridophytes have a well-developed vasculature.
8. There are no roots in bryophytes, but pteridophytes have roots.
9. All bryophytes are homosporous, while pteridophytes may be homosporous or heterosporous.
10. Gametophytes of pteridophytes may be autotrophic, saprophytic or extremely reduced microscopic structures, where as in bryophytes they are always, autotrophic and macroscopic.
11. ‘Leaves’ are produced in the gametophytes of some bryophytes, while only the sporophytes are leafy in pteridophytes.