New Records of Philippine Mosses from Mindanao Island

Abstract

The study identified the record status of the collected species of mosses found on selected mountains in Mindanao. Field collections of mosses were conducted in Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon Province and Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato Province at 10 meters on each side of the trails. The study sites were labeled Southeastern, Northeastern and Western Sloes. The moss specimens were collected, classified and described. Using the key of Bartram (1939) and other literatures, the specimens were identified. The study revealed 137 species, 87 genera and 33 families of mosses. Of the 137 species, 109 were found in Mt. Kalatungan and 59 in Mt. Matutum. Assessment of conservation status revealed seven new records of Philippines mosses namely: Acroporium ramicola, Garovaglia bauerlenii, Hypnodendron auricomum, Leucobryum boninense, Meiotheciella papillosa, Neolindbergia cladomnioides, and Symphysodontella parvifolia are reported. The annihilation of the mountains is basically caused by human activities such as land clearing, slash and burn method for expanding crop plantation, urbanization, firewood consumption, over collection of moss plant materials of horticulture, landscaping and other commercial purposes. Some species are epiphytes on tree trunks or branches of live trees while others are on rotten logs, rock surfaces, moist stones along the stream banks and some grow well on soil. Â Key words - Mosses,Acroporium ramicola, Garovaglia bauerlenii, Hypnodendron auricomum, Leucobryum boninense, Meiotheciella papillosa, Neolindbergia cladomnioides, and Symphysodontella parvifolia.