Correct answer: Riccardia

The plant that has elaterophores present in the apical region of the capsule is Riccardia (option D).

Below is a detailed explanation of each option and then a ready‑to‑use SEO‑friendly article (with title, keyword‑rich slug, meta description, and embedded keywords).

Detailed explanation of each option

1. Pellia (Liverwort ‑ Marchantiopsida)

   • Pellia is a thalloid liverwort with a simple sporophyte differentiated into foot, seta, and capsule.

   • In Pellia, elaterophores are sterile tissue‑cells that occur at the proximal (base) of the capsule, not at the apical or distal end.

   • A fixed, stalked or clump‑like elaterophore mass is found near the capsule base, with elaters helping in spore dispersal by hygroscopic movement.

2. Riccia

   • Riccia is a simple thalloid liverwort in which the sporophyte remains embedded in the gametophyte and the capsule usually lacks elaters or elaterophores altogether.

   • Since there are no elaters/elaterophores in Riccia, it cannot be the correct choice for a plant with “elaterophores present in the apical region of the capsule.”

3. Anthoceros (Hornwort)

   • Anthoceros belongs to bryophytes (hornworts) and the capsule is horn‑like and elongated.

   • However, Antheroceros does not form elaters or elaterophores equivalent to those of liverworts; instead, pseudoelaters are present in some hornworts, but these are not arranged as a distinct elaterophore in the apical capsule.

4. Riccardia (Leafy liverwort ‑ Jungermanniales)

   • Riccardia is a leafy or thallose liverwort of the order Jungermanniales.

   • Its sporophyte is differentiated into foot, seta, and capsule and shows progressive sterilization of sporogenous tissue, leading to the formation of sterile elaterophores along with elaters.

   • In Riccardia, the elaterophores are diffusely distributed, including in the apical region of the capsule, making it the correct option for this question.

Correct answer: Riccardia.

In Riccardia, sterile tissue known as elaterophores forms a diffused pattern within the capsule, including in the apical region. These elaterophores bear elaters made up of hygroscopic, spirally thickened cells that aid in spore dispersal when the capsule opens, which is a key evolutionary feature seen in some leafy and thallose liverworts.

Why Riccardia is correct?

• Riccardia belongs to the liverworts (Division Bryophyta, class Marchantiopsida / order Jungermanniales, depending on system).

• Its sporophyte contains a capsule with a sterile jacket derived from progressive sterilization of sporogenous cells.

• Sterile cells inside the capsule differentiate into elaterophores and elaters, and in Riccardia these elaterophores are reported or inferred to occur in the apical part of the capsule, not restricted only to the base as in Pellia.

Why Pellia is not the answer?

Pellia is a thalloid liverwort whose sporophyte capsule has a fixed mass of elaterophores at the base (proximal end), often appearing as a single, stalked or dense clump of sterile elaterophore tissue.

• Elaters arise from this basal elaterophore, not from the apical region.

• Hence, although Pellia has elaterophores, they are not described as present in the apical region of the capsule, so Pellia is incorrect for this statement.

Why Riccia is incorrect?

Riccia has an extremely simple, embedded sporophyte and its capsule lacks true elaters or elaterophores.

• The sporogenous tissue is mostly converted into spores, and there is no differentiated sterile tissue forming elaters.

• This absence of elaters makes Riccia unsuitable for any question about plants that “have elaterophores present in the capsule,” whether apical or basal.

Why Anthoceros is incorrect?

Anthoceros is a hornwort (class Anthocerotopsida) with an elongated, horn‑like capsule.

• Some hornworts have pseudoelaters (sterile, hygroscopic cells among spores), but these are not elaterophores arranged in an apical mass.

• Moreover, the concept of “elaterophore as a distinct structured mass in the apical capsule” is essentially a liverwort feature, not characteristic of Anthoceros.

Summary table for quick revision

If you are preparing for entrance exams (like CUET‑PG in Botany), remember:

“Elaterophores present in the apical region of the capsule” → Riccardia.
Use this point for MCQ‑based and conceptual questions on bryophyte sporophyte evolution.

Let me know if you want a similar breakdown for questions about other bryophyte genera (Marchantia, Fossombronia, etc.) or plant hormones.