Question

why do mosses have a reproductive advantage over liverworts

Answer 1

Source: http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/226/226F09_18.html

"True" mosses show several evolutionary advances over the liverworts, hornworts, and other mosses are seen in various species of bryids, such as

multicellular rhizoids
leaves with a distinct midrib, sometimes containing conducting cells
stems of some species contains a central strand of conducting tissue known as the hadrom, consisting of individual cells called hydroids. These are elongate, tapering cells that lack a protoplast at maturity.
in some species, nutrient-conducting leptoid cells surround the hydroids, comprising a nutrient-conducting tissue called leptom.
The sporangium of the mature sporophyte is capped by the haploid calyptra, derived from the gametophyte.

Answer 2

yes but what gives mosses a reproductive advantage over liverworts?

Answer 3

According to that paper they can open their Peristomes when the humidity is right but on a Liverwort they are just open all the time. I would think this would give the moss the advantage because it would only reproduce when conditions were ideal.

Answer 4

thank you! that makes sense

Answer 5

Np.