Epilithic Mosses Research Articles

Natural and pre-treatments induced variability in the chemical composition and morphology of lichens and mosses selected for active monitoring of airborne elements

To enhance the reliability of the moss and lichen transplant technique for active biomonitoring of trace metals in urban environments, we evaluated the natural variability in the chemical composition of the (epilithic and epiphytic) moss Hypnum cupressiforme and the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea from two reference areas in NE Italy. Green shoots of epilithic mosses and lobes of epiphytic lichens from larch branches showed rather homogenous composition and were selected for the exposure in nylon bags. As different physico-chemical pre-treatments are usually applied to selected cryptogamic material before its exposure, we also evaluated the effects of oven-drying at 120 °C for 24 h, washing in 1 N HNO 3 solution, and in 0.5% NH 4 oxalate solution at 85 °C for 15 h on the chemical composition and morphology of water-washed moss shoots and lichen lobes. Pre-treatments remarkably changed the chemical composition of selected materials but not their surface morphology.

δ13C and δ15N of moss Haplocladium microphyllum (Hedw.) Broth. for indicating growing environment variation and canopy retention on atmospheric nitrogen deposition

Mosses have been recognized as a useful tool for biomonitoring atmospheric deposition and assessing regional environment. This study was carried on whether the same moss growing in areas with identical regional atmospheric deposition while under different growing environments would have the same indicating signals. Similar variations in mean δ 13C and δ 15N signatures were found between mosses collected from five habitats, with an increasing sequence from mosses under canopies to epilithic mosses, indicating that habitats were potentially regulating δ 13C and δ 15N values of mosses. Dryer habitats (lower water availability) and input of more aerosol N were the main reasons for higher δ 13C and δ 15N values of mosses at open sites (especially for epilithic species), while more negative values of mosses under canopies were attributed to their wetter habitats and less uptake of aerosol N. Additionally, δ 15N values not δ 13C varied linearly with canopy thickness from −7.84‰ (1 m) to −4.71±0.7‰ (4 m), suggesting δ 15N was more sensitive for indicating canopy retention. Consequently, isotopic data of mosses under different environments could not be compared for atmospheric deposition research with each other even collected at the same site. Moss δ 13C and δ 15N were affected not only by regional atmospheric N sources but also by their growing environments. δ 15N of epilithic Haplocladium microphyllum at open sites can be taken as confident bio-indicator of atmospheric N deposition, which would deepen the application of stable nitrogen isotope of bryophytes in atmosphere–plant system study.

Líquenes saxícolas, terrícolas y muscícolas de la Sierra de Ancares (León-Lugo, NW España)

170 taxa of lichens and lichenicolous fungi are recorded from acidic siliceous substrata (mainly on slate and quartzite, more rarely on granite and conglomerate) or, sometimes, on the ground or epilithic mosses. More than 25 taxa are new to the northwest Iberian Peninsula and several are seen for the second or third time in Spain. The Sierra of Ancares has the highest mountains of the western Iberian Peninsula and is relatively rich in arctic-alpine lichens.

Calcium uptake in mosses and its role in stone biodeterioration

The biodeterioration of stone substrata by bryophytes (Musci and Hepaticae) is due to biogeochemical and biogeophysical mechanisms. In this work the biogeochemical damage caused by epilithic moss species, found in archaeological sites of Rome, was investigated. The cellular calcium content in specimens of Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm. was analysed using a sequential elution technique. The analyses were carried out on moss specimens sampled from different lithotypes and in different seasons in order to measure the calcium concentration both in relation to the mineral composition of the stone and to the plant physiology. The highest calcium concentration of the extracellular exchangeable fraction was detected in the samples grown on marble and in the waterlogged specimen sampled in spring time.

LECANIA PUSILLA, A NEW BRYOPHILOUS LICHEN FROM THE TRIESTE KARST

Lecania pusillaTretiach sp. nov. is described from the Trieste Karst, where it was collected twice on epilithic mosses in protected overhangs. The new species is characterized by simple or uniseptate spores, pruinose apothecia, and Bacidia-type asci; it has a reduced, granular thallus with no lichen substances.

Lecania Pusilla, A New Bryophilous Lichen from the Trieste Karst

Lecania pusilla Tretiach sp. nov. is described from the Trieste Karst, where it was collected twice on epilithic mosses in protected overhangs. The new species is characterized by simple or uniseptate spores, pruinose apothecia, and Bacidia-type asci; it has a reduced, granular thallus with no lichen substances.

Oribatid mites in urban zones of West Berlin

A comparison is made between oribatid fauna (Acari, Oribatida) in the urban regions of West Berlin and forest areas. There are characteristic species compositions living in urban soils, in epilithic moss cushions or on the bark of trees. The urban environment obviously causes a change in the species pattern in these types of habitats and minimizes the number of species in central urban regions. The most important regional factors are probably relative aridity, air pollution and habitat isolation, showing a similar increasing tendency from sub-urban to central regions of West Berlin. The effects of air pollution (SO2) on moss-inhabiting oribatid mites are analysed in 13 sites of the urban district of West Berlin. The use of moss- and bark-dwelling mites as bioindicators of air pollution is discussed. Soil oribatids might be useful bioindicators of soil pollution in further research.

Zur Kenntnis einiger licht- und wärmeliebender Gesteinsmoosgesellschaften der Pollauer Berge (Pavlovské kopce) in Südmähren, ČSSR

Zur Kenntnis einiger licht- und wärmeliebender Gesteinsmoosgesellschaften der Pollauer Berge (Pavlovské kopce) in Südmähren, ČSSR