New records of the rare arctic-alpine moss Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides (Huebener) T. J. Kop. in Croatia

Abstract

Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides (Huebener) T. J. Kop. is a rare arctic–alpine species previously known from only one locality in Croatia. We report two new records in this paper. Firstly, it was found along the hiking path Rossijeva Koliba – Fabin Dolac – Škrbina Draga (about 1550 m a. s. l.) in the Northern Velebit National Park in 2015. Eight years later, in 2023, a new and unassuming locality was found in the canyon of the River Kamačnik (Gorski Kotar). This site, situated at approximately 400 m a. s. l., represents a rare lower altitude refugium for this species which makes it interesting and noteworthy. Also, as this is the second rare bryophyte species which has lately been found in this area, the canyon of the River Kamačnik should be more thoroughly investigated for more bryological curiosities.