Imagine you are a botanist. Below are characteristics of a never-before described plant species recently identified as part of the 'All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory' (ATBI).
Organism 1
Field Notes: Specimen collected from rocks on the bank of streams from the Adirondack Park (NY). Plant growth form is more 'prone' than upright (plant seems to have little support).
Laboratory Analysis:
Body: Consists of three regions: light brown anchoring tissue (base of plant); Green vegetative area (middle of plant); Brownish-green, stalk-like structure bearing a capsule at the end (top of plant).
Size: 8 cm in length
Chromosomal Analysis: The bottom two-thirds of the plant is haploid (chromosome # 10), while the top third of the plant is diploid (chromosome # 20).
Lignin test: Negative
Cuticle: Present
Leaves: Absent, though they do possess green photosynthetic structures. Contains chlorophyll a, b; B-carotenes; xanthophylls.
Roots: Absent, though they do possess anchoring (possibly absorptive) structures.
Stem: Absent, though they do possess an axis—no xylem or phloem present.
Notes: The top third of the plant may be a separate but dependent stage of the life cycle; The capsule at the end of the plant contains haploid spores.
Life History: Extended observations show that the haploid, bottom two regions of the plant are the dominant stage of the life cycle and produce gametes. The diploid, top third of the plant is a temporary spore-producing stage of the life cycle (sporophyte) that is dependent on the gametophyte.
Unit 7 DQ Question: Explain which domain, kingdom, and phylum you believe this plant should be classified in.