Question

Which of the following are heterosporous pteridophytes? I. Lycopodium II. Selaginella III. Equisetum IV. Salvinia

• A. I and II only
• B. II and III only
• C. III and IV only
• D. II and IV only

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

II and IV only

Answer 2

Heterospory is the occurrence of two kinds of spores, i.e., smaller microspores (producing male gametophyte) and larger megaspores (producing female gametophyte) in the same plant. Heterospory arose in pteridophytes first. It is common in eight genera of pteridophytes which are Selaginella, Isoetes, Stylites, Marsilea, Pilularia, Regnellidium, Salvinia and Azolla.