The ferns, conifers , gnetales and Ginkgo all are direct descendants of

Options

A. Bryophytes
B. Psilophytons
C. Tracheophytes
D. Chlorophytes

Answer

To solve the question regarding the direct descendants of ferns, conifers, gnetales, and Ginkgo, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Groups**:
- We need to recognize that ferns, conifers, gnetales, and Ginkgo are all types of vascular plants.
- Ferns belong to the group Pteridophyta, while conifers, gnetales, and Ginkgo belong to the group Gymnosperms.

2. **Understand the Evolutionary Lineage**:
- All these plants share a common ancestry. The evolutionary lineage indicates that they evolved from earlier plant forms.
- The main groups to consider in the evolutionary history of these plants are Bryophytes (non-vascular plants), Pteridophytes (vascular plants like ferns), and Gymnosperms (which include conifers, gnetales, and Ginkgo).

3. **Focus on Pteridophyta**:
- Pteridophyta includes ferns and is a crucial group in the evolution of vascular plants.
- The ancestors of ferns are considered to be from the group of extinct plants known as Xylophyton.

4. **Identify the Common Ancestor**:
- Since ferns are part of Pteridophyta and the other groups (conifers, gnetales, Ginkgo) evolved later, we can conclude that they all have a common ancestor in the Pteridophyta.
- Specifically, Xylophyton is an extinct group of vascular plants that is considered a precursor to modern vascular plants.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the ferns, conifers, gnetales, and Ginkgo are direct descendants of Xylophyton, which is a member of the Pteridophyta.

### Final Answer:
The ferns, conifers, gnetales, and Ginkgo are direct descendants of **Xylophyton**.