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Where do horsetail gametophytes produce eggs and sperm?
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Equisetopsida
Giant horsetail of Europe (Equisetum telmateia).
In horsetails (Equisetum), the gametophytes are free-living, independent plants that produce gametes in specialized structures.12
- Sperm (antherozoids): These are produced in globose structures called antheridia. These structures may be either stalked or sunken within the tissue of the gametophyte.2
- Eggs: These are formed singly within flask-shaped structures known as archegonia. Like the antheridia, these structures are either stalked or sunken in the gametophyte.2
The egg is located in the basal part of the archegonium, known as the venter. When the antheridia rupture, the flagellated sperm are released and swim through a film of water to reach the archegonia to effect fertilization.2