Moss Flora Research Articles

To the moss flora of the Tunka National Park (Sayan-Dzhida upland, Republic of Buryatia)

For the first time, a study of the moss flora of the Sayan-Dzhida Upland was conducted in 2018 and 2022 (Tunka National Park, Republic of Buryatia). A total of 239 moss species and 1 variety have been identified. Among them, there are 5 species new to the moss flora of Buryatia (Blindiadelphus diversifolius, Fissidens exilis, Leptopterigynandrum decolor, Schistidium frigidum, and Ulota hutchinsiae). New localities for five species listed in the Red Data Book of Buryatia (2013) are given: Didymodon perobtusus, Lescuraea incurvata, Plagiomnium acutum, Rhizomnium andrewsianum, and Struckia enervis. There are 73 moss species new for the Park. The features of the studied moss flora are discussed.

Moss flora of Magadan region in the context of moss floras of the Russian Far East

Moss flora of Magadan region in the context of moss floras of the Russian Far East

Contribution to the moss flora of the Karaginskii Island (South Koryakia, the Russian Far East)

Contribution to the moss flora of the Karaginskii Island (South Koryakia, the Russian Far East)

Red-list of Italian bryophytes. 2. Mosses

The paper provides the first comprehensive, region-wide assessment of mosses, evaluated according to IUCN’s Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Level. The IUCN Red List criteria were applied to 961 Italian moss taxa to assess their current extinction risk and to highlight the major threats affecting the Italian moss flora. Overall, 246 moss taxa assessed in this study are assigned to a risk category and, therefore, considered threatened in Italy, with a percentage of 28.6%. One species is considered Regionally Extinct and 15 species Possibly Extinct at regional level. A further 5.8% are categorized as Near Threatened, 10.6% as Data Deficient and 56.0% as Least Concern. Most threats are co-occurring, indicating that many taxa are subjected to a set of correlated adverse processes. The main IUCN major threats identified were Climate Change and Natural System Modifications (mostly dams and water management and use). Considering the overall Italian bryophyte flora, 330 taxa (246 mosses, 83 liverworts, and 1 hornwort) are considered threatened with extinction at Italian level (29.0% mid-point value), five species are classified as RE and 18 as CR(PE); moreover, 84 taxa are NT (6.6%) and 130 are considered as DD (10.3%).

Mosses of Coahuila, northern Mexico: The dryland species

The moss flora of the state of Coahuila and that in northwestern Mexico is poorly known. Recent exploration in the drylands of Coahuila have yielded findings that bring the number to about 101 species in the state moss flora where the Pottiaceae, Bryaceae, and Grimmiaceae are the families best represented. The lowland moss flora is well represented in the Chihuahuan Desert area in northern Mexico, but also in the southern United States. Species of Crossidium, Pseudocrossidium, and Syntrichia are known desiccation-tolerant mosses; Entodon concinnus and Ephemerum coherens are additions to the moss flora of Mexico.

Additions to the Moss Flora of the Indian Mainland

Four mosses, viz., Calymperes motleyi. Fissidens robinsonii, Leucophanes glaucescens and L. nicobaricum are recorded for the Indian mainland. They are described in detail and illustrated.

A Contribution to the Moss Flora of Western Himalayas

Mosses were collected in March 1963 from Tehri, Mussoorie, Chakrata and their surroundings in Western Himalayas. The collection includes 110 species belonging to 64 genera and 26 families. These are enumerated with field notes. The enumeration includes a new species Hydrogonium mussoorianum Vohra, two new records for India viz. Funaria calcarea Wahlenb. & Astomum crispum (Hedw.) Hamp. and five new records for Western Himalayas viz. Oxystegus cylindricus (Brid.) Hilp., Splachnobryum indicum Hamp. et C. Muell., Anomobryum auratum (Mitt.) Jaeg., Aerobryidium filamentosum (Hook.) Fleisch. and Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) B.S.G.

Mosses of Cockburn Island plateau, Antarctica

Abstract Located east of the Antarctic Peninsula, Cockburn Island is a small island in the James Ross Archipelago. Studies of mosses on the island are scarce. The oldest studies date from the first half of the nineteenth century to the most recent in 1993. The number of records of mosses is very small due to the difficulty of accessing the area. Here, we report an updated composition of the moss flora of the plateau, in which four new records have been found: Bryoerythrophyllum antarcticum, Ceratodon purpureus, Pohlia wilsonii and Schistidium lewis-smithii. The occurrence of these species on the plateau shows that the ranges of these species have expanded from the Antarctic Peninsula to the east. This collection highlights the need for further research into the dynamics of moss flora in the context of climate change.

Fissidens Pokhrensis Nork. – A New Record to Kerala

The Fissidentaceae is one of the moss families with the genus Fissidens. A species of Fissidens viz., F. pokhrensis has been collected from the Neeliyarkottam sacred grove of Kannur District, which is a new record to the moss flora of Kerala. Sacred groves remain neglected in the study of bryoflora.

Materials for the moss flora of the Tomskaya Pisanitsa Museum-Reserve

The article provides a preliminary list of mossy species of the territory of the Tomskaya Pisanitsa Museum-Reserve. 36 species were found, including 4 liverworts and 32 leaf-stemmed mosses. The distribution of species by substrate types and growth forms is indicated.

Red-list of moss species of Serbia: 2024 assessment

The new extinction risk assessments of the mosses of Serbia have been completed. Based on the available data, 27.18% of Serbian moss flora (174 species) is under threat (status 2024). Nearly 20% (129 species) of Serbian moss flora is considered to be Data Deficient (DD) and 5.16% (33 species) Near Threatened (NT). These findings clearly indicate the urgent need for field investigation and species biology research in order to define the major threats and adequate conservation measures.

ADDITION TO THE MOSS FLORA OF THE SOUTHERN KURILE ISLANDS (RUSSIAN FAR EAST)

As a result of identification the moss collections from Shikotan, Kunashir, Iturup and Urup islands (Southern Kuril Islands, Russian Far East) collected by T.I. Koroteeva, V.E. Fedosov, A.V. Shkurko, N.S. Liksakova, and A.K. Ezhkin in 2015–2021, new species for the islands were revealed: 6 ones for Urup, 8 for Iturup, 10 for Kunashir, and 19 for Shikotan. For the first time, 4 species new for the Kuril Islands were discovered, including three new for the Sakhalin Region (Forsstroemia cryphaeoides, Haplocladium intermedium, Rhizogemma staphylina, Meteorium buchananii). Another 3 species found in the islands are new for the Southern Kuriles (Dicranum fragilfolium, Gollania turgens, Hygroamblystegium varium). Most of the discovered species are rare in both the Sakhalin Region and the Russian Far East. To date, the moss flora of the Southern Kurils numbers 468 species and is the richest bryoflora in Russia.

Diversity of Moss Species (Bryophyta) In Senggani Ravine Tourism Area, Tulungagung Regency

Moss plants (Bryophyta) are found in every habitat, and their presence in an ecosystem is controlled by environmental circumstances. The Senggani Ravine tourism area is a popular tourist attraction comprising a pine forest with extensive moss communities. This work aimed to assess the diversity of mosses (Bryophyta) in the Senggani Ravine tourism area for the first time. In June 2022, exploratory descriptive research of moss diversity was undertaken by a free walk around the Senggani Ravine tourism area from a predetermined position point (purposive sampling) using observation, documentation, literature study, and measurement of abiotic elements for data collection. Based on the results, twenty species of mosses were identified and can be divided into four classes, namely the Bryopsida, Polytrichopsida, Jungermanniopsida, and Marchantiopsida. The species identified were Barbulla indica, Fissidens purpusillus, Fissidens biformis, Fissidens biformis, Octoblepharum albidum, Rhizonium punctatum, Mnium hornum, Philonotis marchica, Fontinalis antipyretica, Hypnum cupressiform, Polytrichastrum formosum, Lejeunea flava, Lejeunea cavifolia, Bazzania prareupta, Bazzania vittata, Riccia junghuhniana, Marchantia emarginata, Marchantia polymorpha, Dumortiera hirsuta, and Lunularia cruciate. Abiotic factor measurements revealed that zone 3, which has a soil pH of 6, an air temperature of 24.1 C°, an 84% humidity level, and 200 Cd of light cm-1, is the most favorable area for moss growth. We can infer that the Senggani Ravine tourism area is still primarily undisturbed because the moss flora is still quite diverse and varied.

Oxyrrhynchium speciosum (Brid.) Warnst. (Brachytheciaceae: Bryophyta) – new to the moss flora of India from the Western Ghats

Oxyrrhynchium speciosum (Brid.) Warnst. which was known so far from Africa, Europe, New Zealand and China and Russia in Asia, has been discovered in some pockets of the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. This discovery adds one more species to the moss flora of India. A description with figures, a distribution map and a key to distinguish O. speciosum from the other indigenous species are provided.

Three species new to the moss flora of Alaska

Plášek, V., Dřevojan, P., Kučera, J. & Chytrý, M. 2022. Drei neue Arten für die Moosflora von Alaska. – Herzogia 35: 675 – 681. Drei Moose – Crossidium squamiferum, Didymodon tectorum und Loeskeobryum brevirostre – werden als neue Arten für die Bryoflora von Alaska gemeldet. Eine kurze Beschreibung der Arten und ihrer Ökologie wird bereitgestellt.

A preliminary survey of moss flora of Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India

The present study aims to account for the moss flora of Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, district Solan, Himachal Pradesh (HP). Frequent field visits were made in different seasons to collect moss samples. Ecological data like temperature, humidity, and habitat preferences were also recorded at the time of collection. A total of 31 moss species belonging to 22 genera and 15 families were recorded so far. The family Pottiaceae (7 spp.) was the most dominant one, followed by Brachytheciaceae (4 spp.), Polytrichaceae, Fissidentaceae, and Entodontaceae with (3 spp.) each. In the acrocarpous mosses, family Pottiaceae was highly dominant, whereas, among the pleurocarpous mosses family, Brachytheciaceae was dominant. Among the genera, Atrichum P. Beauv. (Acrocarpous), Fissidens Hedw. (Acrocarpous), and Entodon C. Muell. (Pluerocarpous) were dominantly present, represented by three species each. This study provides baseline data of moss diversity and their ecological attributes in Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, which may prove beneficial in establishing policies for future exploration of bryodiversity with proper management and conservation in the sanctuary area.

Moss flora of Tokinsky Stanovik Range (Amur Province and Southern Yakutia; Russia): an annotated checklist

Moss flora of Tokinsky Stanovik Range (Amur Province and Southern Yakutia; Russia): an annotated checklist

Epiphytic Bryodiversity of Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don Forest at Lohaghat (Champawat), Uttarakhand

The present bryoexploratory study deals with the documentation of epiphytic bryophytes species and communities flourishing on the Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don phorophytes at Lohaghat. The study site is located near the bank of Lohawati River, with an altitudinal range of 1600-1754 m at the North-East aspect of district Champawat. A total of 42 bryotaxa were recognized from the acidic (pH 4.20 - 4.74) bark of C. deodara phorophytes of varied girth classes ranging from saplings to giant ones. In all, 09 leafy liverworts and 33 mosses were recorded, belonging to 27 families. Amongst leafy liverworts, Frullaniaceae turned out to be the dominant family followed by Lejeuneaceae. Two species of Frullania viz., F. benjaminiana Inoue and F. udarii V. Nath & Ajit P. Singh have been identified as new records for Western Himalayas. Pleurocarpous epiphytic mosses were found to dominate over the acrocarpous ones. Pylaisiadelpha capillacea (Griff.) B.C. Tan & Y. Jia, (Pylaisiadelphaceae) is identified as a new record for Western Himalayan moss flora. The members of the family Meteoriaceae and Anomodontaceae were recognized as the dominant pleurocarps. Amongst acrocarpous mosses, the family Bryaceae was noticed as the most diversified epiphytes. Morphologically, the majority of epiphytic bryophytes were found to be mat-forming followed by the tuft. Leafy liverworts namely Lophocolea minor Nees and Radula complanata (L.) Dum., as well as the mosses viz., Brothera leana (Sull.) Mull. Hal. and Pylaisiadelpha capillacea emerged as gemmiferous. The north and south aspects of the forest site were discovered to have the highest species richness. The water trickling site of the tree trunks, junction of the broad branches, humus accumulated areas, as well as giant tree bases, were observed to be the suitable habitat and microhabitats for the colonization of epiphytic bryophytes on Cedar phorophytes. The present study will provide firm bases for comparative and quantitative bryosociological investigations and would be useful to future workers.

BRYOCRUMIA VIVICOLOR, A RHEOPHYTIC, HYPNACEOUS MOSS, NEW TO THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS, INDIA

The Indian Himalayan sector is well known to support the diversified bryophyte species and communities due to varied phytoclimatical conditions met within different dissected topographical zones. Many potential wilderness areas are still waiting to be explored in terms of their exuberant bryodiversity. During a bryoexploratory survey of an unexplored high-altitude area in the Garhwal Himalayan region, we came across an interesting rheophytic moss Bryocrumia L. E. Anderson. The genus Bryocrumia is represented in India by two species, viz. B. vivicolor (Broth. et Dixon) W. R. Buck and B. malabarica Manju, Prajitha, Prakashkumar et W. Z. Ma. Both of these pleurocarpous species are known to be confined in the southern part of the country. From the Indian Himalayan sector, this moss genus has never been documented earlier. Recently, B. vivicolor has been reported for the first time from the Tungnath area (2,100–3,000 m above sea level) in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state as a new addition to the Western Himalayan moss flora, indicating its new distributional range. This hypnaceous moss was found colonising the slopy, wet, submerged rock surfaces along small streams and seepages in mixed oak forests on way to Tungnath. The key characteristics include its rheophilic habit, stem lacking central strand, variable leaf forms, indistinct double costa and round to obtuse leaf apex with prorate tip cells. The present paper provides taxonomic details of this rare moss, representing its wide geographical distribution in India.

Epilithic mosses of the southwestern coast of Lake Baikal (Irkutsk region)

A brief ecological description of epilithic mosses on the southwestern coast of the lake Baikal is given. Epilithic moss flora Represented by 142 species, which is 48 % of the total number of mosses growing in the study area. Epilithic mosses are widespread in forests (124 species - 42 % of the moss flora of the southwestern coast of Baikal) and in steppe areas (18 species -7 % of the moss flora).