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{{Taxonomy
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;
| common_name = Moss
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(153,255,153)|'''Bryophyta'''
| kingdom    = Plantae
|-
| phylum      = Bryophyta  
|colspan="2" |[[File:Sphagnum cuspidatum .jpg|300px|thumb|center|''Sphagnum'' peat moss]]
}}
|-
!style="min-width:6em;background-color: rgb(180,250,180) |Kingdom:
|style="min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Plantae|Plantae]]
|-
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:
|style="min-width:6em;text-align: left; |Bryophyta
|-
!style="min-width:6em; |Classes:
|style="min-width:6em;text-align: left; |[[Andreaeobryopsida|Andreaeobryopsida]]
[[Andreaeopsida|Andreaeopsida]]


: Mosses are a group of small, non-vascular, plants with a cosmopolitan distribution belonging to the taxonomical division Bryophyta. They are typically 0.2–10 cm (0.1–3.9 in) tall, and have a waxy cuticle to prevent water loss. Mosses can typically be found forming dense mats in wet/shady habitats. Some species can be extremely resilient and tolerate many toxins, which is why they can also be found in urban brownfields, growing in the cracks of roadways, or on the sides of buildings. Moss offers a food source and habitat for macro and micro invertebrates. They create microhabitats that are essential to some species of soil [[arthropods]]. [10]
[[Bryopsida|Bryopsida]]  


==Structure==
[[Oedipodiopsida|Oedipodiopsida]]
[[File:mossstructure.png|right|Basic moss structure.|thumb|200px|]]
:Moss lacks vascular tissue, which is what other plants use to transport water and nutrients throughout them. Because they lack this tissue, they do not have flowers, roots, or stems. Instead, it has rhizoids, which act like roots holding the cluster in place. Without vascular tissue, water is transported from cell to cell by diffusion. The capsules are the sex organs, and where the spores come out. The stemlike structure supports the leaflike structures, called ''phyllids''. These are the part of the plant that photosynthesize.
[[Polytrichopsida|Polytrichopsida]]
[[Sphagnopsida|Sphagnopsida]]  


==Life Cycle==
[[Takakiopsida |Takakiopsida ]]  
[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle|thumb|left|500px]]
:Moss have two parts to their life cycle. The first part, called ''sporophyte'', is the stage where spores are produced. The spores are carried by wind to populate other areas. The second stage, called ''gametophyte'', is after the spores found a place to grow. They develop male and female sex organs, which allow for reproduction. The male sex organ is an antheridial head, which contains sperm. The female sex organ is called an archegonial head, and each finger contains one egg. When it rains, the water splashes the sperm out of the antheridial head, and they swim to the eggs through water droplets. Water is essential in the reproduction of moss, which is why it can only grow in moist environments.


[[Tetraphidopsida|Tetraphidopsida]]


|-
|colspan="2" |Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System<ref name="ITIS">[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=977384#null "Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report"], ''ITIS'' USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature", ''USGS'', n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.</ref>
|}
==Physical Characteristics==
[[File:mossstructure.png|left|Basic moss structure.|thumb|150px|]]
===Structure===
Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.<ref name="Raven2013" >Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. ''Biology of plants''. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.</ref> They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. <ref>Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). ''Flora of North America'' 27.</ref> Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. They are non-vascular, as they lack lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissue called xylem and phloem. <ref>Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. ''Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London'' Series B: ''Biological Sciences'' '''355''':795–813.
).</ref> Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.<ref name="Raven2013" /> Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores.




===Life Cycle===


[[File:Moss_3.png|Moss Life Cycle.|thumb|left|450px]]


Like vascular plants, mosses exhibit alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. <ref name="Cove2016">Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. ''Annual Review of Plant Biology'' '''57''':497–520.</ref>
The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. <ref name="Reski 1998">Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. ''Botanica Acta'' 111:1–15.</ref> Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. <ref name="Raven2013" />


==Environmental Role==
==Environmental Role==
: Mosses play an important part in stabilizing [[soil]], and reducing erosion. Their rhizoids grip the ground and can hold on to [[clay]], gravel, and sandy soil substrates. Moss is resilient and can withstand many toxins and heavy metals that might be in rainwater run-off or already present in the soil. Toxic elements like mercury, iron, and lead can be filtered through moss, making mosses a useful component in the bioremediation of areas. In addition to heavy metals, moss can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Moss has the ability to create humid microhabitats, where plant seeds can easily germinate and soil arthropods can flourish. [10]
:Mosses play a vital role in combating erosion by stabilizing [[soil]] and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as [[clay]], [[gravel]], and [[sand]]. Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. <ref name="Crooks2021">PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, ''Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute''. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.</ref> In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. <ref name="Turetsky2012">Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.</ref>
 
 
<gallery mode="slideshow">
 
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
:[1] Asher, Beth. “Describe the Structure of a Moss Plant.” Hunker, [[https://www.hunker.com/12000232/describe-the-structure-of-a-moss-plant]].
{{reflist}}
:[2] “Bryophytes.” Prentice Hall Biology, [[https://www.jayreimer.com/TEXTBOOK/iText/products/0-13-115516-4/ch22/ch22_s2_1.html]].
:[3] Lizarazo, Andres. “Moss to Ferns.” SlideShare, 23 Apr. 2014, [[https://www.slideshare.net/andresfgomezl/moss-to-ferns]].
:[4] Martin, Annie. “5 Environmental Benefits of Moss Gardening.” Timber Press, 9 Sept. 2015, [[https://www.timberpress.com/blog/2015/09/5-environmental-benefits-of-moss-gardening/]].
:[5] McLintock, A. H. “Polytrichum, Showing Both Male and Female Gametophytes as Separate Plants.” An Encylcopedia of New Zealand, 1966, [[https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/24024/polytrichum-showing-both-male-and-female-gametophytes-as-separate-plants]].
:[6] “Moss.” Basic Biology, 23 May 2015, [[https://basicbiology.net/plants/non-vascular/mosses]].
:[7] “Moss Facts.” Soft Schools, [[https://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/moss_facts/504/]].
:[8] “Moss.” Wikipedia, 21 Mar. 2019, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moss]].
:[9] Stein Carter, J. “Primitive Plants: Mosses, Ferns, and Allies.” Biology Clermont, 11 July 2017, [[https://biologyclermont.info/wwwroot/courses/lab2/mosses%20intro.htm]].
:[10] Gerson, U. 1969. Moss-[[Arthropod]] Associations. The Bryologist 72:495–500.

Latest revision as of 16:23, 4 April 2023

Bryophyta
Sphagnum peat moss
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta
Classes: Andreaeobryopsida

Andreaeopsida

Bryopsida

Oedipodiopsida

Polytrichopsida

Sphagnopsida

Takakiopsida

Tetraphidopsida

Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System[1]

Physical Characteristics

Mossstructure.png

Structure

Mosses (Bryophyta) are non-vascular plants in the broader parent group Bryophyta, which includes Liverworts and Hornworts.[2] They are the most specious of the three divisions of bryophytes, with over 12,000 species worldwide. [3] Mosses are herbaceous photosynthetic plants that absorb water and nutrients through their leaf-like structures. They are non-vascular, as they lack lignified water- and nutrient-conducting tissue called xylem and phloem. [4] Additionally, mosses lack true roots, instead, they have multicellular thread-like structures called rhizoids that anchor the plant to the substrate.[2] Like other bryophytes, mosses are dominated by their haploid, gametophytic generation and reproduce using spores.


Life Cycle

Moss Life Cycle.

Like vascular plants, mosses exhibit alternating heteromorphic generations. The gametophyte generation is typically larger and independent, while the sporophyte generation is smaller and nutritionally dependent on the parent gametophyte. [5] The life cycle begins when haploid spores are released from the capsule of the mature sporophyte and germinate into protonemata, and then later into male and female gametophytes. The gametophytes have either male (antheridia) or female (archegonia) reproductive organs. [6] Haploid sperm are released from the mature antheridia and swim in the water to the archegonia which house the non-motile egg. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium to produce a diploid zygote, which divides mitotically to form a young sporophyte. As it matures, the archegonium enlarges to protect the sporophyte until maturation is reached. The mature sporophyte consists of the stalk and capsule (sporangium). Meiosis occurs within the sporangium, producing haploid spores which will be released to form the gametophytic generation. [2]

Environmental Role

Mosses play a vital role in combating erosion by stabilizing soil and reducing the risks of flooding by absorbing excess water. Their rhizoids can hold on to substrates such as clay, gravel, and sand. Mosses are an important carbon sink and could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Additionally, mosses can filter other pollutants like excess sediment and salt used on roadways. Within the local environment, mosses also have the ability to create humid microhabitats. [7] In some boreal and arctic ecosystems, mosses are the primary plant type and are responsible for establishing soil layers, providing nutrients and habitats for new seeds to germinate, and providing areas for microinvertebrates to thrive. [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report", ITIS USGS Open-File Report 2006-1195: Nomenclature", USGS, n.d.. Retrieved 3/10/2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, and S. E. Eichhorn. 2013. Biology of plants. Eighth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company Publishers, New York.
  3. ↑ Crandall-Stotler, B. J., and S. E. Bartholomew-Began. 2007. Morphology of Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta). Flora of North America 27.
  4. ↑ Ligrone, R., J. G. Duckett, and K. S. Renzaglia. 2000. Conducting tissues and phyletic relationships of bryophytes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences 355:795–813. ).
  5. ↑ Cove, D., M. Bezanilla, P. Harries, and R. Quatrano. 2006. Mosses as Model Systems for the Study of Metabolism and Development. Annual Review of Plant Biology 57:497–520.
  6. ↑ Reski, R. 1998. Development, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Mosses. Botanica Acta 111:1–15.
  7. ↑ PerezJI. 2021, February 22. Bryophytes. Text, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. https://stri.si.edu/story/bryophytes.
  8. ↑ Turetsky, M. R., B. Bond-Lamberty, E. Euskirchen, J. Talbot, S. Frolking, A. D. McGuire, and E.-S. Tuittila. 2012. The resilience and functional role of moss in boreal and arctic ecosystems. New Phytologist 196:49–67.
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