This picture is of a native fern species called ngārara wehi Pyrrosia eleagnifolia. The label (1) is pointing to a single frond (leaf) of this fern (the other fronds are growing from a primitive aerial root with which this fern holds itself to the tree that it is growing on). Take a good look at this frond. If you were using a dichotomous key to identify plants and you reached the question below, which next step would you take?

Question

This picture is of a native fern species called ngārara wehi Pyrrosia eleagnifolia. The label (1) is pointing to a single frond (leaf) of this fern (the other fronds are growing from a primitive aerial root with which this fern holds itself to the tree that it is growing on). Take a good look at this frond. If you were using a dichotomous key to identify plants and you reached the question below, which next step would you take?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To begin, let's restate what the prompt is asking: in a dichotomous key for identifying plants, which next step would you take given the frond shown. The single provided option is: Leaves (fronds) simple, entire > 29.

Evaluating the option, we focus on how a dichotomous key operates. Such keys typically split choices based on observable leaf characteristics like whether a frond is simple or compound, the presence or absence of leaflets, and the margin type (smooth/entire versus serrated), as well as measurements such as length. The image depicts a fern frond that appears to be a single, undivided leaf (not clearly pinnate into multiple leaflets) with smooth margins. Aligning with this observation, the next key step would plausibly categorize the frond as having simple leaves with an entire margin. The qualifier “> 29” likely refers to a numerical threshold used in the key (for example, leaf length over a certain measurement). If the frond length exceeds 29 units (millimeters or another standard unit used by the key), that would move you to the next couplet in the key.

Why this option is reasonable: it matches core dichotomous-key logic by using a basic, observable leaf architecture (simple vs. compound) and a margin type (entire). The size cue (> 29) can help discriminate among taxa that share a similar simple, entire leaf form but differ in scale, which is a common structuring device in keys.

Why the other possibilities might be incorrect or unavailable here: since the provided item lists only one option, there are no additional choices to compare. In a typical dichotomous key, other possible branches would involve distinctions such as leaf arrangement (alternate vs opposite), leaf division (pinnate vs simple), leaf margin serration, presence of scales or hairs, or reproductive structures. Without those alternative options presented, we cannot assess their accuracy, but the visual cue of a simple, entire leaf aligns with the given option.

In summary, given the frond’s apparent simple morphology with a smooth margin, selecting a step that states Leaves (fronds) simple, entire > 29 is consistent with standard dichotomous-key reasoning, where you confirm basic leaf architecture and then apply a size criterion to proceed to the next couplet.

BIOSCI 108 LAB 3 ASSESSMENT

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