Microhypnum sauteri (Schimp.) Jan Kučera & Ignatov in West Sutherland, new to the British flora

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction. The tiny moss Microhypnum sauteri is widely distributed in Europe being recorded from 14 countries, but it seems to be relatively uncommon everywhere and is on the Red List in seven of these countries. The sites in Norway are the closest populations to this new find in Scotland. Methods. A specimen was collected during a visit to Assynt in West Sutherland in April 2019, during a survey of populations of Amblyodon dealbatus and Encalypta alpina, and subsequently identified as Microhypnum sauteri. Results. Micrcohypnum sauteri is reported from the limestone at Inchnadamph in West Sutherland, new to the British flora. The species and its habitat are described and comments made on its ecology and European distribution. Conclusions. The site where Micrcohypnum sauteri was found has a number of other montane calcicole species and M. sauteri is most likely to be native here. Given its small size and the fact that it has been overlooked at such a well-known site, it seems quite possible that it could occur on calcareous rocks in the mountains elsewhere in Scotland, some other possible locations being the high limestone in the Alder Forest and in the Glenshee area and perhaps on the calcareous schist on Ben Lawers.