Question

Match the following

• A. A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I
• B. A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
• C. A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
• D. A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV

Hint:

Associate taxon → characteristic: Cycas = coralloid roots; Marchantia = elaters; Anthoceros = pseudoelaters; Salvinia = heterospory.
Remember "March-elaters" for liverworts and "pseudo" for hornwort structures.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

1. Cycas (a cycad) shows coralloid roots (specialized, coral-like, often with cyanobacterial symbionts) — hence A \(\rightarrow\) II.
2. Anthoceros (a hornwort) capsule contains pseudo-elaters (elongated sterile structures aiding spore dispersal) — B \(\rightarrow\) IV.
3. Marchantia (a liverwort) capsule contains elaters associated with spores (true elaters) — C \(\rightarrow\) III.
4. Salvinia is a heterosporous fern (produces microspores and megaspores) — D \(\rightarrow\) I.
5. Therefore the correct matching is A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I. Hence the correct option is (1) A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I.