Tetraphis pellucida

Tetraphis pellucida
Tetraphis pellucida
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Bryophyta
Class:	Bryopsida
Order:	Tetraphidales
Family:	Tetraphidaceae
Genus:	Tetraphis
Species:	T. pellucida
Binomial name
Tetraphis pellucida Hedw.

Tetraphis pellucida, the pellucid four-tooth moss, is one of two species of moss in the acrocarpous genus Tetraphis. Its name refers to its four large peristome teeth found on the sporophyte capsule.

Tetraphis pellucida occurs almost exclusively on rotten stumps and logs, and is native to the northern hemisphere. The leafy shoot is between eight and 15 mm tall. The lower leaves are one to two mm long, where as the upper and perichaetial leaves-leaves that surround the archegonia- are three mm long. Leaves plane and entire at the margins.

Tetraphis pellucida reproduces both asexually through the production of gemmae, and sexually resulting in a sporophyte which will produce spores.

Tetraphis pellucida reproduces asexually through the use of asexual propagules called gemmae. The gemmae are found either in gemma cups or stalks. Gemmae cups are typically composed of three to five larger specialized leaves, and house gemmae in the center. Stalk gemmae are found in a terminal cluster on a microphyllous stalk that extends one to four millimeters above the leafy gametophyte. Gemmae are distributed largely through the energy provided by precipitation. This is possible due to the shape of gemmae cups, it allows them to harness the energy of a raindrop to propel the gemmae. Through this method it has been calculated that the average distance achieved by a gemma in a cup bearing gemmiferous shoot was 19.5 mm and 13.3 mm by a stalk gemmiferous shoot. It has been found that through disturbances gemmae found in a cup goes a distance of 12.1 mm and 16.9 mm for a stalk gemmae

In environmentally controlled experiments with standard conditions (12 hours light/12 hour dark) gemmae germinated in two to four days, typically with six to eight protonemata. This growth produces a stellate structure after seven to ten days, at this time branching of the protonemata occurs. After ten days the leafy gametophyte begins to develop, either directly from the gemma or from the protonema.

Tetraphis pellucida also reproduces sexually. It is a dioicous moss, having antheridia and archegonia on different gametophores. Once the archegonia is fertilized the sporophyte generation begins to form. It develops to have a seta six to 14 mm long, and have a capsule two to three mm long, with a one mm operculum. The fully developed capsule will have four peristome teeth attached to the rim of capsule. Inside the spores develop to be smooth or finely roughened and 10-13 micrometers.

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Wikipedia