Difference Between Riccia And Marchantia

Riccia and Marchantia are non-vascular plants that belong to the genre liverwort and division Marchantiophyta. These plants belong to the phylum Bryophyta and are exceedingly small plants that live under wet conditions. Riccia and Marchantia reproduce via an asexual mode of reproduction including spores. In their life cycle, they dominate and come after the gametophyte stage. Mosses and liverworts are two typical examples.

In this article, we will learn about the differences between Riccia and Marchantia and some similarities between Riccia and Marchantia as they belong to the same genre.

Difference between Riccia and Marchantia

Riccia and Marchantia are both liverwort but they do have some Differences, which are listed below;

Category	Riccia	Marchantia
Thallus Structure	Ribbon like	Lobe like
Reproductive Structure	Multicellular, stalked structures known as sporangi	Gemma Cup produces gemmae
Thallus Morphology	It is simpler and flattened	It is complex and lobe are of leaf like morphology
Sporophyte	The foot and seta are absent from the sporophyte, which only consists of the capsule.	The foot, seta, and capsule of the sporophyte are distinct entities.
Type of Plant	Monoecious	Dioecious
Sex Organ	Homothallic	Heterothallic
Development	Antheridia of Riccia develops singly	Antheridia of Marchantia develops in groups
Embryo	It has 4 cell embryo	It has 8 cell embryo
Archegonia	It develops on the surface of Riccia	It develops inside the thallus

What is Riccia?

Riccia are non-vascular plants, meaning they do not possess xylem and phloem belonging to the genus liverwort and division Marchantiophtya. Riccia are characterized by their thalloid i.e., they do not have true leaves, stems, and roots. These plants are the oldest land plants that may be found in distinct environments.

What is Marchantia?

As non-vascular plants, Marchantia lack the xylem and phloem seen in plants of the division Marchantiophtya and genus liverwort. Riccia are distinguished by their thalloid nature, meaning that they lack genuine leaves, stalks, and roots. Marchantia and a few other liverworts have structures called gemma cups. The small, asexual reproductive structures known as gemmae are created by gemma cups.

Similarities between Riccia and Marchantia

Riccia and Marchantia both are Liverworts, so they do share some similarities that are listed below;

1. Non- Vascular Plants: Riccia and Marchantia both are non-vascular plants belong to the division Marchantiophtya. They do not have xylem and pholem which are present in higher plants.
2. Thallus Structure: A thallus is the primary vegetative component of both species. With no real leaves, branches, or roots, the thallus is a flattened photosynthetic organism.
3. Habitat: They both are found in moist environments like rock, moist soil, or other near water surfaces.
4. Reproduction: They reproduce asexually through spores known as sporogia.

Importance of Riccia and Marchantia

The liverworts Riccia and Marchantia are significant in biology and scientific study for a number of reasons;

1. Evolutionary Significance: Riccia and Marchantia both are scientifically important as they can tell adaptation of aquatic to terrestrial life.
2. Model Organisms: They both are model plants for any botanist.
3. Asexual Reproduction: In research on plant reproduction methods, the gemmae that Marchantia produces as well as other asexual reproduction processes seen in Riccia and Marchantia are of interest.
4. Ecological Importance: They both are ecologically important as they aid in soil formation and nutrient cycling.
5. Environmental Indicators: Certain liverwort species are susceptible to alterations in their surroundings, such as pollution and disruption of their natural habitat.

FAQ’s – Riccia and Marchantia

1. Are Riccia and Marchantia liverworts?

Riccia and Marchantia, both liverworts in the division Marchantiophyta, differ at the familial level: Riccia is in Ricciaceae, and Marchantia is in Marchantiaceae. This distinction signals the start of their unique traits, showcasing the diverse nature within liverworts.

2. Why Riccia is called liverworts?

Riccia is a member of the class Hepaticae, commonly known as Liverworts. These plants exhibit a dorsiventrally flattened, lobed structure with unicellular rhizoids.

3. What is the Difference between Marchantia and liverworts?

Some liverworts resemble mosses, with a stem axis and leaf-like appendages. Marchantia, however, represents a subset known for a ‘complex thalloid’ structure—a flattened body (thallus) that spreads across the ground, displaying differentiation.

4. What is the Difference between the gametophyte of Riccia and Marchantia?

Marchantia exhibits a dorsiventral, prostrate flat structure characterized by a prominent midrib and dichotomous branching. In contrast, Riccia is rosette-like, displaying a dorsiventral flat, green thallus with dichotomous branching.

5. What is Gemma Cup?

Gemmae cups are structures resembling cups that house gemmae tiny, haploid tissue discs capable of directly developing into new gametophytes.