Abundant But Neglected: Past and Present of Liverwort (Marchantiophyta) Studies in Malaysia

Abstract

The history of liverwort studies in Malaysia is briefly reviewed. Three historical periods are recognized: (1) 1838–1938, the first 100 years of liverwort collecting in Malaysia; (2) 1950–2000, during which most collections were made, many new taxa were found and described, and studies were carried out by well-known foreign bryologists e.g., by Zennoske Iwatsuki and Masami Mizutani from the Hattori Botanical Laboratory, Japan; (3) 2000-present day, in which liverwort work has been continued by foreign and local bryologists. Thus far, 747 species and 42 infraspecific taxa of liverworts have been recorded from Malaysia or almost 15% of world diversity of liverworts. However, only few taxonomic treatments and identification keys have been published dealing with Malaysian liverworts. An urgent effort should be undertaken to systematically and intensively collect and study this interesting group of plants in Malaysia.