Origin and evolution of Bryophyta:
Bryophyta does occupy an intermediate position between the higher algae and the lower Pteridophyta. It is, however, most likely that bryophytes have evolved from some algal stock like Ulotrichales ( Higher algae). Having originated from some aquatic ancestor the bryophytes were pioneers in establishing themselves in land. Having established themselves on land, they followed their own course of developement, culminating in an individualistic group without giving rise to a higher form. Among bryophytes, the liver words are more primitive than the mosses and the later may have been derived from the former.
According to another view, the bryophytes have diverged from pteridophytes, later they followed own independent line of evolution. Bryophyta shows an advance over algae by the developement of Archaegonia, multicellular Antheridia and a distinct alternation of generation. By virtue of these characteristics, they approach pteridophytes, but the absence of vascular tissue and their dependents on the gametophyte distinguished them from pteridophytes.
* Pteridophytes plants are advance from bryophytic plants.
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