Diversity Of Liverworts Research Articles

Exploring functional traits of Canga liverworts along different mesohabitats: insights from a threatened ecosystem and underexplored plants in Brazil

ABSTRACT Introduction Brazil’s Canga ecosystems, characterised by ironstone outcrops, face increasing threats from mining activities. Predominantly located in Minas Gerais’ Iron Quadrangle region, these ecosystems are notable for their diversity of bryophytes, especially liverworts. Despite their ecological significance, comprehensive studies on liverworts in Cangas are scarce, leaving a gap in understanding their responses to environmental factors. Methods We analysed the organisation of life traits in liverworts across three distinct Canga mesohabitats: exposed areas, shrub associations and tree associations. We hypothesised that these life traits are distinctly structured according to the mesohabitat, ranging from exposed to shaded. Key results Our survey recorded 714 specimens, encompassing 73 species and 12 families, with Lejeuneaceae, Frullaniaceae and Metzgeriaceae being the most represented families. Frullania brasiliensis Raddi emerged as the most abundant species. Mesohabitats differed primarily in terms of solar radiation and temperature. Life traits of communities did not correlate with mesohabitat types. Instead, liverworts formed five functional groups based on family, asexual reproduction, growth forms, spore germination types and leaf colour. Conclusions This study highlights the ecological heterogeneity and significant liverwort diversity of Brazilian Cangas, emphasising the importance of diverse strategies in population maintenance. Prioritising the functional diversity of liverworts is essential in conservation strategies for Cangas, focusing on preserving diverse mesohabitats.

Phylogenetic structure of liverwort assemblages along an elevational gradient in the tropical Andes: geographic patterns and climatic drivers

Liverworts are an ancient plant lineage that occurs worldwide with the highest species richness in cool and humid habitats such as tropical montane and temperate rain forests. It has been proposed that liverworts originated under such temperate climatic conditions and have later expanded into more tropical conditions, but how this is reflected in their phylogenetic diversity along the strong climatic gradients associated with elevation remains unexplored. We studied the phylogenetic diversity of regional liverwort floras along the elevational gradient in the tropical Andes, comparing indices that emphasize deeper and shallower phylogenetic relationships, and relating these to temperature‐ and precipitation‐related variables, as well as to climatic extremes and seasonality. We found that whereas liverwort species richness peaks at around 2000 m a.s.l., richness‐corrected phylogenetic diversity increases with elevation, and the standardized effect of size of phylogenetic diversity is highest at 2500–4000 m a.s.l. This is in accordance with an origin of liverworts under cool conditions, followed by more recent diversification in warmer climates at lower elevations. We further found temperature‐related climatic parameters to be stronger predictors of phylogenetic diversity of liverworts than precipitation‐related variables, and climatic extremes to have a stronger influence than climatic seasonality. We interpret these patterns as reflecting the physiological challenges of adapting to low temperatures as well as rare occurrences of extreme climatic events. All this reveals a strong signal of the evolutionary dynamics of this ancient plant lineage linked with its physiological adaptations to climatic conditions. The age of this group and its poikilohydric nature, i.e. its inability to regulate water loss, lead to patterns that contrast with those of vascular plants, allowing for discerning evolutionary generalities that are independent of physiology and lineage age.

Vegetation mosaic shaping bryophyte diversity in a threatened ecosystem: A case study of Brazilian Cangas (ferruginous rupestrian fields)

The Canga vegetation in Brazil is a unique ecosystem found on ironstone outcrops, known as ferruginous rupestrian fields, and is considered one of the most diverse in the world. This mosaic landscape, comprised of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation, is home to a diverse range of plants, including angiosperm, bryophytes, and lichens. To understand the effect of Cangas' patchy landscape, here called mesohabitats, on bryophyte communities, we asked the following questions: Do the diversity parameters such as richness, abundance and composition of bryophytes differ along the different Cangas’ mesohabitats? Do bryophyte assemblages group by functional traits and filter per mesohabitat? We surveyed eight sites in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Iron Quadrangle), southeast Brazil. We collected and analysed data on bryophyte diversity and functional traits in three different mesohabitats: exposed areas (EA), shrub associations (SA), and tree associ ations (TA). The diversity of both groups was tested using one-way ANOVA; and functional traits were addressed with a Factorial Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD). There are significant differences in the diversity of bryophytes among the mesohabitats, with TA having the highest diversity and abundance of liverworts and mosses, followed by SA and EA. The study also found bryophyte assemblies with similar functional traits in similar mesohabitats across the Brazilian Quadrilátero Ferrífero. The research revealed that the different mesohabitats provided important and distinct niches for bryophytes in Cangas, and this threatened ecosystem's high diversity must be considered when developing conservation strategies. This entails land managers adopting effective approaches aimed at improving both the quality and connectivity of habitats, fostering biodiversity, and bolstering the resilience of the ecosystem.

The Diversity and Community Pattern of Liverworts on Sygera Mountain, Tibet

Elevation has been a cornerstone of biodiversity research, and changes in the environmental factors behind it influence biodiversity and community patterns. Exploring the potential reasons behind liverwort community patterns has been a matter of multiplied interest for ecologists. In the present study, we recorded the liverwort taxa of Sygera Mountain growing on decaying wood, trees, soil, and rocks along an elevational gradient from 3100 m to 4500 m using complex field surveys in 2017 and 2019; we investigated the effects of elevation and various climatic factors on the liverworts’ diversity and community composition. Furthermore, we used mixed effect modeling, NMDS, ANOSIM, and CCA to help us critically assess liverwort diversity with respect to environmental variables. The results of the study showed a bimodal variation in the richness of liverwort communities according to elevation, with peaks occurring at 3500 m and 4100 m, respectively. The variation in elevation was significant, with communities at 4300 m being associated with high mean diurnal range environments and those at 3100 m and 3300 m favoring areas of higher solar radiation and the precipitation of the wettest month. Among the climatic factors, the variation in the mean diurnal range was found to be the determinant of liverwort communities. The results suggest that the mean diurnal range plays a crucial role in the distribution and community structure formation of mountain liverwort. This study deepens our understanding of liverwort ecology and emphasizes the importance of climatic variables in determining liverwort community composition.

Biomass and diversity of epiphytic liverworts along environmental gradients in a cloud forest in Mexico

ABSTRACT Introduction Bryophytes can reach levels of coverage sufficient to influence key ecological processes; for example, their water retention capacity can supply an appreciable amount of humidity to forest ecosystems. The variation in biomass and diversity of epiphytic liverwort species in a Mexican cloud forest (CF) in the state of Hidalgo was estimated along elevation and latitude gradients, as was the relationship between epiphytic liverwort structural attributes and environmental factors. Methods Liverwort species were sampled in three municipalities with CF in Hidalgo State, at elevations of 1345–2019 m. In each municipality, two 0.1 ha plots were located at the two extremes of the gradient. For each of 10 trees per plot, three 10 × 10 cm areas of bark were selected as microplots, and from each microplot, samples of liverwort were obtained to determine structural data for the liverworts. Key results Species diversity was highest at the upper elevation level (1985–2001 m), and lowest at the lower elevation level (1345–1375 m). The highest dry and saturated weight values (15.20 g and 83.30 g, respectively) were found at lower elevations, and the lowest (11.78 g and 60.04 g, respectively) at high elevations. Conclusion Species diversity was positively related to elevation gradient, and species biomass decreased gradually with elevation. Beta diversity values were not associated with geographical distance between sites. Local factors, such as light input, available area, phorophyte species, humidity and temperature, may have more influence on the growth of epiphytic liverworts than elevation or geographical distance.

Importance of collection strategy on detection probability and species diversity of epiphyllous liverworts

Importance of collection strategy on detection probability and species diversity of epiphyllous liverworts

Diversity and Distribution of Liverworts in Some Underexplored Areas of Manipur

Present study on liverworts diversity of some underexplored areas of Manipur has revealed the occurrence of 23 genera and 32 species of liverworts belonging to 17 families. Fourteen species have been reported for the first time from Manipur while three Indian endemic species (Cephalozia kashyapii Udar, Microlejeunea indica (Udar et U. S. Awasthi) Y. M. Wei. & R. L. Zhu and Notoschypus pandei Udar and Ad. Kumar) have also been identified from the explored sites.

Diversity and distribution of liverworts in Mount Sibuatan, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Susilo F, Pasaribu N, Syamsuardi, Siregar ES. 2022. Diversity and distribution of liverworts in Mount Sibuatan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4539-4548. Due to a lack of research and publication, information about the presence of liverworts in North Sumatra and the island of Sumatra is still lacking. Therefore, Sumatran liverworts, especially in North Sumatra, are less well known than those in Java and other areas of Malesia. This research was conducted at Mount Sibuatan, North Sumatra, to analyze the diversity and distribution of liverwort species in this area. A survey along the hiking trail from an altitude of 1500 m to 2500 m was used as the collection method. Sampling was conducted at 60 points on the hiking trail, 100 meters from each end. Eighty-three species of liverworts were recorded from Mount Sibuatan, belonging to 23 genera and eight families. Two species were new records for Sumatra, namely Drepanolejeunea pentadactyla and Radula verrucosa. The largest family was Lejeuneaceae (12 genera and 26 species), contributing to 31% of the total species. Another dominant species from the collection was Bazzania tridens, with 121 individuals. Mount Sibuatan Liverworts were found on various substrates, and most of them grew on trunks or branches of trees, the ground, rotting logs, and living leaves. The liverworts were distributed from altitudes of 1531 to 2454 m. Twenty-eight species were identified in various elevations, from lower to upper montane forests. Furthermore, fifty-four species were confined to the lower montane forest (1200-2100 m), and one was restricted to the upper montane forest (2100-3000 m). The findings revealed that the montane forest of Mount Sibuatan is teeming with hitherto unknown liverworts.

Species diversity of epiphyllous liverworts and host plants in the Wuyanling National Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province

Species diversity of epiphyllous liverworts and host plants in the Wuyanling National Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province

Liverwort flora of Ayan - a gained link between subarctic and hemiboreal floras in West Okhotiya (Pacific Russia).

The liverwort flora of Ayan was first investigated one hundred and fifty years after the first exploration of vascular plants. A number of factors has determined the relatively high taxonomic diversity of liverworts in this hemiarctic flora of small-sized area: 118 species and one subspecies were revealed. These data are new not only for the studied area, but also for the huge land adjacent to the western coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. The liverwort flora possesses the domination of taxa common in the hemiarctic, although with a lot of taxa more common in boreal as well as arctic-alpine environments. The presence of Mega-Beringian and calciphilous taxa is the peculiar trait of the studied liverwort flora. Based on detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), Ayan liverwort flora shows relationships to the continental mainland floras situated both in North-East Asian hemiarctic and hemiboreal East Asia and is, therefore, the link between both. The flora of Ayan surroundings is one of the newly-filled ‘blank spots’ in the possible floral exchange way between Arctic Northeast Asia and mountainous floras of temperate East Asia.

Diversity of liverworts and hornworts in Polylepis sericea forests in the Andes of Venezuela

Diversity of liverworts and hornworts in Polylepis sericea forests in the Andes of Venezuela

Exploring the impact of RNA editing on mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses in liverworts, an early land plant lineage

AbstractPlant mitochondrial protein‐coding genes are slow evolving, and therefore are less subject to substitution saturation, and therefore perhaps more suitable for resolving deep relationships of high taxonomic categories. Plant mitochondrial genes hold, however, hundreds of RNA editing sites, involving mostly non‐synonymous substitutions in the first and second codon positions, which has been reported to affect phylogenetic reconstructions. We have previously identified ca. 4700 mitochondrial RNA editing sites within a group of liverworts representing the ordinal diversity of liverworts, allowing us to critically evaluate the impacts of RNA editing sites on phylogenetic reconstructions in liverworts. Our phylogenetic inferences are mostly congruent on topology inferred from the original mitochondrial gene dataset, dataset with RNA editing sites corrected, and dataset with RNA editing sites excluded. The RNA editing site excluded dataset recovered a topology identical to that of the RNA editing site corrected dataset, supporting the sister relationship of Ptilidium and Jungermanniales, whereas the original dataset supported the sister relationship of Ptilidium and Jungermanniidae. The controversial placements of Ptilidium could be explained by site‐wise log‐likelihood analysis, as the majority of liverwort RNA editing sites supported the sister relationship of Ptilidium and Jungermanniidae, hence the correction or exclusion of the RNA editing sites changed the tree topology and supported the sister relationship of Ptilidium and Jungermanniales. Our study shows that RNA editing sites potentially impact phylogenetic analyses, suggesting that both genome and transcriptome derived data should be used with caution for phylogenetic reconstruction with genes hosting vast numbers of RNA editing sites such as plant organellar genes.

Diversity of thalloid liverworts in Brazilian Savanna of Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas, Maranhão, Brazil

We investigate the diversity of thalloid liverworts in Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas (PNCM). Illustrations, descriptions, taxonomic characters, and notes on the geographic distributions of species, as well as an identification key, are provided. We collected specimens during the rainy seasons between 2017 and 2020. Six families, six genera, and seven species were recorded, of which five species are recorded for the first time from Maranhão state, two species are recorded for the first time from the Brazilian Northeast Region, and two are newly recorded from the Brazilian Cerrado. Our results increase in the number of thallose liverwort species in Maranhão by 57%. Our data add to what is known about PNCM, Maranhão, and Brazilian Cerrado liverworts, and reinforce the importance of PNCM for conservation.

Vertical distribution of epiphytic bryophytes depends on phorophyte type; a case study from windthrows in Kampinoski National Park (Central Poland)


 
 
 The vertical distribution of epiphytic bryophytes in European forests are still relatively poorly understood. The aim of the study was to analyse the diversity and vertical zonation of epiphytic mosses and liverworts on selected tree types (Quercus petraea, Betula pendula and Pinus sylvestris) within windthrow areas in the Kampinoski National Park (Central Poland). The investigations were performed in five parts of the trees: the tree base, lower trunk, upper trunk, lower crown, and upper crown. Deciduous trees have more species than pine trees (13 on Quercus and Betula, 8 on Pinus). The type of phorophyte was crucial for the differences in the species composition from the tree base to the upper crown that was observed. The highest richness of bryophytes was recorded on the tree bases, while the lowest was recorded in the upper parts of the crowns. The variability of the habitat conditions in the vertical gradient on the trunk that affected the patterns of the occurrence of species with different ecological preferences was determined using the Ellenberg indicator values. An increase in the value of the light and acidity indicators from the base of the trunk upwards and decreasing tendency in the case of moisture indicator was noted.
 
 

Epiphyte Colonisation of Fog Nets in Montane Forests of the Taita Hills, Kenya

The dispersal ecology of tropical non-vascular epiphytes has rarely been experimentally investigated. We studied epiphyte colonisation on 1 × 1 m polyethene nets placed for four years at seven sites at different elevations in montane forests in the Taita Hills, Kenya. During the first year the nets were also used to measure fog deposition. We predicted that differences in growth conditions would affect colonisation and subsequent growth of non-vascular epiphytes and result in clear differences in epiphyte cover and biomass, and community composition among sites. After four years the nets were taken down for determination of epiphyte cover and biomass. The diversity of established liverworts and macrolichens was also examined. Many liverwort and macrolichen species established diverse communities on the nets placed in the moist upper-montane zone. This was in contrast with the situation in the drier lower-montane zone where only green algae and crustose lichens were able to colonise most nets. Light intensity was an important determinant of epiphyte community composition, with liverworts dominating on nets under closed forest canopies and lichens dominating at more open sites. Atmospheric moisture was also important, with lichens benefiting from abundant fog deposition at open and windy sites. The dry weight of epiphytes (per unit area) on lichen-dominated nets was greater than on liverwort-dominated nets, while the highest cover was generally observed on liverwort-dominated nets. Our results demonstrate that polyethylene nets can be effectively used to study colonisation of non-vascular epiphytes as well as the abiotic and biotic factors controlling epiphyte colonisation and community composition in tropical forests. The liverworts Acanthocoleus chrysophyllus and Diplasiolejeunea kraussiana were new additions to the Kenyan bryophyte flora.

The first botanical explorations of bryophyte diversity in the Brazilian Amazon mountains: high species diversity, low endemism, and low similarity

We investigated the species richness, endemism, and similarity of the bryoflora (mosses and liverworts) on five Brazilian Amazon mountains (four Tepuis and one rocky outcrop), to determine the floristic relationships between them using presence/absence matrix. Cluster analysis based on the Jaccard index was used to determine similarities between the plant assemblages in five areas. We also performed a principal component analysis to determine which abiotic variables best explained the variations between those mountains. We surveyed the bryophyte species on each of the five mountains to identify the diversity of mosses and liverworts and to answer to the following questions: (1) How many bryophyte species are there in total area (gama diversity) and on each mountain (alpha diversity)? (2) Do mosses and liverworts share patterns of diversity? (3) Can patterns of alpha diversity be used to predict patterns of beta diversity? (4) What are the species distribution patterns? (5) How many endemic species are there in the mountains? and, (6) Is there high similarity among those bryophyte floras? We encountered 425 species, 144 genera, and 51 families of bryophytes, with Lejeuneaceae and Lepidoziaceae being the richest families. A considerable number of floristic novelties were encountered: 18 species new to Brazil; 39 species new to northern Brazil; 21 species new to Amazonas State; and 2 species new to science and only recently described. Over 43% of the bryophytes have a tropical America distribution, approximately 7% are Pantropical, 6.5% are Afro-American, and 3% are endemic to Brazil (6 liverworts and 6 mosses), and 6% are widespread globally. We present a checklist of 425 bryophyte species (144 genera and 51 families) of which 12 are endemic. Patterns of endemism of the bryophyte flora on the Tepuis differ from those exhibited by angiosperms (in the latter three times higher). Thirty-nine of these species were new for the Amazonia domain in Brazil, increasing by 7% the previous total of Amazonian recorded species. The similarity between sites was low, ranging from 3 to 25%. PCA analysis showed temperature variables explaining the greater part of the variance (76.6%) between the mountains. Our results demonstrate that patterns of alpha diversity cannot be used to predict patterns of beta diversity. This paper represents the first evaluation of bryophytes on five Brazilian Amazon mountains, giving insight into their species richness, endemism, and similarity, and providing baseline information for analyzing species’ turnover rates, migration, invasion events, etc. These results also represent an increase in our general knowledge of the Brazilian bryoflora and are relevant to the conservation of bryophyte diversity in the Amazon forest, and represent a contribution toward the targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

Nitrate pollution reduces bryophyte diversity in Mediterranean springs

Anthropogenic activities and intensive farming are causing nitrate pollution in groundwater bodies. These aquifers are drained by springs which, in the Mediterranean region, act as refugia for preserving biodiversity of species that need continuous water. Some springs are also used for drinking water for wild animals, livestock and humans, so if their water quality is compromised it can become a threat to public health. However, the impact of nitrate pollution on these biotic communities remains unknown. We sampled 338 assemblages of aquatic and semi-aquatic bryophytes (i.e., hygrophytic mosses and liverworts) growing in springs in a gradient of water conductivity, nitrate concentration and climate and distributed across the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula to investigate the impact of nitrate pollution on the diversity of bryophytes and moss functional traits in Mediterranean springs. Based on previous literature suggesting that increased nitrogen load decreases biodiversity in grasslands and freshwater ecosystems, we hypothesised that water nitrate pollution in springs decreases bryophyte diversity at the local and regional scales. Our results indicated that, at the local scale (spring), nitrate pollution reduced the number and the likelihood of finding a rare species in springs. Rare species were found in 4% of the springs with nitrate above 50 mg L−1 but in 32% of the springs with nitrate below 50 mg L−1. Moss, liverwort and overall bryophyte diversity were not directly affected by nitrate at the local scale but nitrate consistently decreased diversity of mosses, liverworts and rare bryophyte species at the regional scale. We also found that warmer and drier springs presented fewer bryophyte species. Our results show that the combination of nitrate pollution, increasing temperature and drought could severely threaten bryophyte diversity in Mediterranean springs. Our results indicate that the absence of rare bryophytes could be used as a bioindicator of nitrate pollution in springs.

The Amount of RNA Editing Sites in Liverwort Organellar Genes Is Correlated with GC Content and Nuclear PPR Protein Diversity.

RNA editing occurs in the organellar mRNAs of all land plants but the marchantioid liverworts, making liverworts a perfect group for studying the evolution of RNA editing. Here, we profiled the RNA editing of 42 exemplars spanning the ordinal phylogenetic diversity of liverworts, and screened for the nuclear-encoded pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins in the transcriptome assemblies of these taxa. We identified 7,428 RNA editing sites in 128 organellar genes from 31 non-marchantioid liverwort species, and characterized 25,059 PPR protein sequences. The abundance of organellar RNA editing sites varies greatly among liverwort lineages, genes, and codon positions, and shows strong positive correlations with the GC content of protein-coding genes, and the diversity of the PLS class of nuclear PPR proteins.

The Liverwort, Genus Bazzania of Mount Sibuatan, North Sumatera, Indonesia

Information on the diversity of liverworts of genus Bazzania in Sumatra, especially North Sumatra, is still limited in research. The aim of this study was to invent and describe the morphological characters and to obtain the diversity of Bazzania on Mount Sibuatan, Karo regency, North Sumatera, Indonesia. Specimens were collected during explorative survey along the climbing path and potential habitats such as riverbanks and open areas from July 2017 until January 2018. The results showed that there were 15 documented species of Bazzania with following species: Bazzania calcarata, B. loricata, B. caudisapexula, B. densa, B. erosa, B. fallax, B. filiformis, B. francara, B. japonica, B. longicaulis, B. paradoxa, B. pectinata, B. praerupta, B. spiralis, B. subtilis, and B. tridens. The genus, Bazzania is commonly found living in soil substrates, tree trunks and witherred woods.

Habitat heterogeneity stimulates regeneration of bryophytes and vascular plants on disturbed minerotrophic peatlands

Wooded rich fens (WRF), characterized by high variation in surface topography and numerous plant species organized along microtopographic gradients, are abundant in continental western Canada. In regions where in situ oil sands exploration (OSE) prevails, however, winter operations eliminate the surface vegetation and mechanically flatten the exposed peat. This results in saturated or flooded soils during the growing season and eliminates plant species dependent on naturally elevated microhabitats, with implications for peatland recovery. In northeastern Alberta, we redeveloped hummock topography on replicate WRF after OSE by extracting blocks of frozen peat from peatland surfaces in the winter. Peat mounds and adjacent unmounded flattened areas were left to regenerate naturally and were sampled four to five summers later. Mounds facilitated the colonization of many peatland plants not adapted to waterlogged soils. For bryophytes, mean richness and diversity of liverworts, Sphagnum, and true mosses were higher in mounded plots than in unmounded plots. For vascular plants, woody plants (trees and shrubs) had higher richness, cover, and diversity (trees only) in mounded plots. Peat mounding may be effective for stimulating vegetation development on OSE-degraded WRF. All mounds, however, will require lateral expansion by hummock-forming mosses to provide the habitat volume required for development of large woody plants.