Abstract
The liverwort diversity in Gujarat has been mostly neglected by biodiversity researchers across the state and more than 75% of the districts have never been investigated for their bryo-diversity. A detailed study was conducted during 2013-2015 covering 75 locations spread over 31 of the 33 district of the state to understand the diversity and distribution of liverworts in the state. The liverwort diversity in the state now stands at 22 species of which 16 species were located in the current study. Genus Riccia has the maximum diversity in the state. Cyathodium cavernarum Kunze. was the most widely distributed species being located in 17 out of the 31 districts studied. Taxilejeunea ghatensis, Riccia crystallina and R. cavernosa are new records to the state. Genus Marchantia is also being reported for the first time. Dangs and Panchmahal districts have the highest liverwort diversity with 10 species each.
Highlights
Liverworts constitute one of the three major groups of bryophytes
Like other group of bryophytes the gametophyte is the independent and dominant phase of the life cycle while the sporophyte is subsidiary and dependent on the gametophyte for its nutritional needs. 675 species in 121 genera of liverworts have been described from different parts of India (Dandotiya et al, 2011)
The state of Gujarat is situated on the western coast of India between 22o07' N and 24o43' N latitude and 68o10' E and 74o29' E longitude (Anon, 2011a)
Summary
Liverworts constitute one of the three major groups of bryophytes. They are estimated to be around 391 genera and 5000 species (Stotler et al, 2009). Out of the 19 species reported by them 9 were liverworts including Plagiochasma appendiculatum, Asterella angusta, Riccia discolor, R. cruciata, R. gangetica, R. melanospora, Cyathodium barodae, C. tuberosum and Fossombronia himalayensis Another contribution to the bryophyte flora of the state was made by Patel in 1977. Their work, published in the form of a book ‘Bryophyte flora of Gujarat – (India)’ was the culmination of a survey undertaken from 1999 to 2004 They reported 13 species of liverworts including Lejeunea aloba, Targionia hypophylla, Plagiochasma rupestre, P. microcephalum, P. intermedium, Riccia grollei, R. billardieri and R. gangetica for the first time from Gujarat. The state of Gujarat is situated on the western coast of India between 22o07' N and 24o43' N latitude and 68o10' E and 74o29' E longitude (Anon, 2011a) It is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, Pakistan on the Northwest, Rajasthan on the North and Northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the East and Maharashtra to the South. The major forests in Gujarat are concentrated along the eastern tribal belt of the state
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