Question

Discuss the order in which seed dispersal mechanisms could have evolved

Answer 1

The fossil records of primitive plants show a variety of seed dispersal mechanisms that has been adopted by plants at various stages and how they have evolved. The most primitive of this seed dispersal mechanism is the Anemochory

Anemochory is the dispersal of seed through the wind. The seeds have wing like structures and are lightweight to be able to fly away with the wind. They are dull colored and are pale that will prevent the seed from being visible.

Hydrochory is the next order of evolution of the seed dispersal mechanism which became majorly adopted by plants that tend to grow near water sources and those whose seeds are too heavy to fly in the air. One of the best examples is the coconut that falls off on the sea water in the coastal areas and floats to other lands and sprouts to a new plant.

Barochory is the dispersal of the seed through gravity. This is the mechanism where the fruit falls off to the ground due to gravity and grows into a new plant.

Endozochory is the dispersal of the seed through animals. In this case the seed is usually covered with a fleshy edible part which is consumed by the animals and in this process the seed goes into the digestive system of the animal and is excreted in a different place from where the seed can sprout into a new plant.

Ballochory is the dispersal of the seed due to the forceful ejection of the seed by explosive dehiscence of the seed. This lets the plant to place its seeds in a distant area. One of the best examples is the Hura Crepitans which is also called the dynamite tree, named after its exploding fruits.

Answer 2

Every one of them because they are plants and the grow