Phytogeographic Interest Research Articles

A Comparative Bryo-Ecological Study of Habitat 3170*: Sites of Particular Phytogeographic Interest in the Mediterranean Area.

In accordance with the 92/43/EEC "Habitats" Directive, Mediterranean temporary ponds are identified as a priority natural habitat within the European context. They are a very interesting and unique habitat type, as ecological conditions can vary greatly in a short period of time. Due to their small size, many Mediterranean hydrophytic bryophytes typical of this habitat are often overlooked or misinterpreted. Their distribution, habitats, ecology, and strategies are generally poorly understood. Several of them are currently considered rare or endangered in the Mediterranean. As these ponds are particularly sensitive to human activities and natural changes, such bryophytes and associated vegetation communities may be at risk. This study is focused on their floristic variability in different environmental conditions in two sites of particular phytogeographic interest in the Mediterranean area. In the Sardinian Pauli of Giara, 56 taxa (50 Bryophyta and 6 Marchantiophyta) were found, and in the Umbria Piana di Ferretto, 54 taxa (34 Bryophyta and 20 Marchantiophyta) were documented. The taxa from the two areas were analysed and compared. Life strategies, life macroforms, light and moisture preferences, chorological elements, and moisture belts were considered. The data are presented here together with information on the phytogeography and ecology of the species recorded. The findings indicate that a bespoke monitoring strategy and dedicated conservation measures are essential for the effective protection of bryophytes, ensuring the achievement of meaningful and sustainable conservation outcomes.

Short-term effects on sheep pastureland due to grazing abandonment in a Western Mediterranean island ecosystem: A multidisciplinary approach

Changes of pasture communities consequent to management practices resulting from land abandonment considerably affect the structure and function of the ecosystem. This study analyses the consequences of grazing abandonment in terms of plant and soil microbial diversity and fertility, on a Mediterranean upland sheep pasture, over a short period (five years). Grazing was experimentally excluded by fencing ten 10×10 m permanent plots within an area that had supported grazing until 2000, by 0.23 sheep ha −1. Plant and soil microbial communities and physicochemical parameters were monitored within the fenced and unfenced control plots, during three sampling times from 2000 (before the fencing) to 2005. Grazing cessation notably altered the floral composition, with an average dissimilarity of 96.7% between the vegetation communities, over five years. No significant change occurred in the control plots that were grazed throughout the sampling period. This work highlighted that, over a short term, the structural change in the specific plant composition affected only the grass species, confirming that grazing favours the small-sized species over the annual species. Further, it was evident that species groups of conservational and phytogeographic interest, like the endemic and Mediterranean-Atlantic species, tended to disappear with pasture abandonment and were substituted by more widespread species throughout the Mediterranean or even the world. Pasture abandonment was accompanied by an increase of soil pH and a decrease in soil organic matter and soil nitrogen. The microbial parameters recorded at three different sampling times revealed a substantial effect of the plant community, or the time of grazing abandonment, on soil microbial abundance and diversity. Considerable importance is given to the consequences of pasture abandonment on the conservation of plant and microbial diversity and on soil fertility.

Bryophyte flora of some temporary pools in Sardinia and Corsica

A comparative study of the bryophytes in some Sardinian and Corsican wetlands of major naturalistic value, such as the “padule of Suartone” (SE Corsica) and “pauli of the Giara of Gesturi” (C Sardinia), was carried out. In Europe, these habitats (Mediterranean temporary pond) are indicated as priority natural habitats under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. In the Sardinian pauli, 56 taxa (50 Bryophyta and six Marchantiophyta) were found, while in the Corsican padule, 30 taxa (21 Bryophyta and nine Marchantiophyta) are reported. Among the bryophytes collected in the padule, the discovery of Scleropodium cespitans, Riccia perennis and Campylopus introflexus is of particular phytogeographic interest. Data are here reported together with information on the phytogeography and ecology of the recorded species.

Extended Distribution of Cassipourea ceylanica, an Inland Rhizophoraceae

Cassipourea ceylanica (Gardn.) Alston, an inland Rhizophoraceae member, hitherto known only from Southernmost parts of Western Ghats and Sri Lanka is being reported here from Northern Western Ghats, Goa. It is of considerable phytogeographic interest as it shows disjunct distribution.

Lichens of Adak Island, Central Aleutian Islands, Alaska

Two hundred nineteen taxa of lichens including one lichen parasite are reported from Adak Island in the central Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Stereocaulon leprocephalum is new to North America; Caloplaca ferrugineofusca and Verrucaria ditmarsica are new to Alaska. The lichen flora is dominated by wide-ranging arctic-alpine and boreal species; a coastal element is moderately represented, while amphi-Beringian species form a minor element. This phytogeographic pattern is very similar to that of Attu Island, the westernmost Aleutian Island. The Aleutian Islands are a chain of mountainous volcanic islands extending in an arc 1,900 km west from the tip of the Alaska Peninsula approaching the Commander Islands of northeast Asia. Adak Island is in the Andreanof Islands group within the central Aleutian Islands. Adak, the largest (748 km2) of this island group, is dominated by rugged mountainous terrain and broad rolling lowland areas; modified volcanic cones, Mt. Moffett and Adagdak, occur in the northern part and narrow beaches are usually found adjacent to sea cliffs. As one of the central islands in the Aleutian chain, Adak Island is of considerable phytogeographic interest. Hitherto the lichen flora of Adak Island has received little attention. The only existing literature records are found in three reports that collectively report 32 species. Degelius (1937) reported lichen specimens collected by the Swedish botanist Eric Hult6n in 1932 that included 14 lichens from Adak Island. Later, Stair (1948) added five species to the flora based on a collection of W. J. Christian. Hein (1980) increased the list by 13 species. Of the species reported on Adak Island by previous authors only five, Alectoria sarmentosa (Ach.) Ach., Cetraria ciliaris Ach. (= Tuckermannopsis ciliaris), Cladonia pseudoevansii Asah. (= Cladina pseudoevansii), Pertusaria glomerata (Ach.) Schaerer, and Umbilicaria proboscidea (L.) Schrader, were not collected by the present authors. Comparative data from the nearest Aleutian Islands for which the lichen flora is relatively well known are Amchitka Island, 250 km to the west of Adak Island, and Attu Island, 650 km to the west. Thomson and Sowl (1989) reported the known total of Amchitka Island as 149 species and Talbot et al. (1991) reported 160 taxa for Attu Island. In the Tuxedni Wilderness Area of western lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, 1,800 km to the east of Adak Island, Talbot et al. (1992) reported 218 taxa. Caribou were introduced to Adak Island during the 1940's and lichens are known to be important in their diet (Sjenneberg & Slagsvold 1979; Sveinbjornsson 1990). Our qualitative observations of Adak Island lichens suggest that lichen cover may have been reduced due to grazing pressure from caribou. As a pioneering effort, the present study provides a checklist and voucher collection if future range assessment becomes necessary.

The vascular flora of the Cassano Structural High (NE Calabria, Italy)

Abstract The purpose of this work is to investigate the flora of the calcareous outcrops of Cassano Ionio (NE Calabria). 421 taxa, belonging to 284 genera and 68 families, are listed. As a result of excessive grazing, fire and very arid climate, the presence of therophites is remarkable. The Stenomediterranean elements are more representative. Rocks and cliffs typically preserve an interesting chasmophytic flora. Finally, several species of phytogeographic interest and 5 new records for the Calabrian flora, are reported.

The vegetation of the Comacchio Saltern (Northern Adriatic coast, Italy)

The vegetation of the Comacchio Saltern was studied with the phytosociological method and the data processed with numerical methods. In this biotope, whose activity of salt production was terminated in 1984, seven associations have been found, some having marked phytogeographic interest, namely Pucinellio convolutae -Arthrocnemetum glauci with the subassociations typicum and halocnemetosum strobilacei. The main ecological factors which determine the various distributions of the vegetational types are the level and salinity of the water.

Observations taxonomiques, phytogéographiques et écologiques sur la flore de la chaîne du Jura français

Taxonomical, phytogeographical and ecological observations on the french Jura's flora. Numerous observations on the rocky and grasslandis flora of the french Jura give accuracy on complicated taxonomic groups and on peculiar subspecies and varieties. The geographical distribution of numerous species which have a phytogeographic interest is exposed. Five new species for the french Jura are discovered (Deschampsia media, Festuca amethystina, Festuca trichophylla, Sisymbrella aspera, Veronica verna) and four others before observed are confirmed (Catananche caerulea, Fumana ericoides, Onobrychis arenaria, Thesium linophylion).

A Hypothesis to Explain the Reduced Distribution of the Mangrove Pelliciera rhizophorae Tr. & Pl.

The mangrove Pelliciera rhizophorae had a wide distribution in the Caribbean area until at least the beginning of the Miocene. By the early Pliocene its distribution had been reduced drastically. This reduction in range and its present distribution appears to be related to the influence of past and present climates on soil salinity regimes within the mangrove ecosystems. Intolerance of the species to soil salinities higher than 37%oo may explain its absence in the dry areas of the eastern Pacific coast. Abundant runoff from more humid uplands and localized areas of high rainfall have allowed the survival of small P. rhizophorae populations on the Caribbean coasts of Central and South America. PELLICIERA IS A MONOTYPIC NEOTROPICAL MANGROVE GENUS which has been of great paleobotanical and phytogeographic interest because of its wide representation in the Tertiary record and current restricted distribution. The only species, Pelliciera rhizophorae Tr. & P1., grows exdusively in mangroves of tropical America (Kobuski 1951). Although the provenance of the species is unknown, Fuchs (1970) has suggested an African origin because of pelliceroid pollen found in Oligo-Miocene sediments of the Niger delta. PAST AND PRESENT DISTRIBUTION Pelliciera rhizophorae had a wide distribution in the Caribbean area during the Tertiary. Hammen and Wijmstra (1964) reported the presence of P. rhizophorae (described as Psilatricolporites crassus) in Oligocene-Miocene sediments in Guyana. The species also has been found in Oligocene-Miocene sediments of Chiapas, Mexico (Langenheim et al. 1967), in Eocene sediments of Jamaica and Panama (Graham 1977), in Eocene-Miocene sediments of Colombia (Wijmstra 1968) and in Miocene sediments of Brazil (Boer et al. 1965), Venezuela (Fuchs 1970) and Trinidad (Fuchs 1970). It is clear that P. rhizophorae was present throughout the Caribbean and northern South America until at least the beginning of the Miocene. Reduction in this range appears to have started in the early Miocene. Pelliciera rhizophorae has not been reported from the late Miocene sediments in the northern Caribbean, although it was present in isolated areas of northern South America throughout the Miocene (Graham 1977). Presently, significant stands of the species exist only from the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica to the Esmeraldas River, Ecuador (Graham 1977). In addition, some isolated individuals grow dose to the tidal channels north of the Gulf of Nicoya and south of the Esmeraldas River (Horna et al. 1980, Jimenez 1981). Although the distribution of this species has been traditionally described as restricted to the Pacific coast of America, several small populations have been recently reported on the Caribbean coasts of Central and South America (Fig. 1). About 1000 individuals have been found in the Cartagena and Barbacoas bays, Colombia (Calderon 1983). Two other small populations have been reported in the estuary of the Prinzapolca River, Nicaragua (D. Neill, pers. comm.) and Chiriqui Lagoon, Panama (Ballou and Getter, in prep.). The reasons for the drastic reduction in the Tertiarian distribution of the species and for its current restricted range are still not clear. Fuchs (1970) suggested that poor propagative power and special edaphic demands of the species are responsible for its extremely restricted distribution. Graham (1977) proposed that the range reduction most likely involved the interaction of sea-level fluctuations, interspecific competition, and cooler climates by late Miocene. Gentry (1981) noted that the species seems to occur only in dimatically wetter areas and suggested that it might have been eliminated from the Caribbean by Pleistocene dry periods. A HYPOTHESIS FOR THE PRESENT DISTRIBUTION Recent observations of P. rhizophorae communities on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica (Jimenez 1981) reveal special ecological requirements that could explain its present restricted distribution. These observations suggest that Pelliciera is more sensitive to high soil salinities than other more widespread neotropical mangroves (Table 1). I Received 29 March 1983; revised 16 July 1983; accepted 1 August 1983. 304 BIOTROPICA 16(4): 304-308 1984 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.133 on Fri, 17 Jun 2016 05:37:47 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Alpine plants of phytogeographic interest on northwestern Vancouver Island

Forty-four alpine taxa of phytogeographic interest are reported for seven mountain peaks on northwestern Vancouver Island, and their distribution is discussed. These taxa include two of the Queen Charlotte Islands endemics, two of the Olympic Peninsula endemics, one new record for North America, five new records for Vancouver Island, and a number of disjuncts. The relation of the alpine flora of the Vancouver Island Ranges to other mountain systems and phytogeographic evidence for nonglaciated refugia on Vancouver Island are discussed.

Intimations on the Tertiary vegetation of southern Africa

Fossil pollen sequences from the Cape Peninsula and the Saldanha region indicate that sub tropical vegetation and climates existed in these regions during the Miocene. The pollen record from the Cape Peninsula may point to the extinction of some taxa by the terminal Miocene/Early Pliocene with the subsequent strong development of macchia. This major change can probably be related to the maximum build-up of the Antarctic ice-cap in the latest Miocene and the accompanying profound palaeoceanographic changes such as the major cooling of the Benguela current with its effect on the aridification of the Namib desert, and the global glacio-eustatic sea level drop.Parallel palynological and lithological studies in the Saldanha region show that prominent Miocene vegetation shifts were linked to profound local changes in the palaeoenvironment associated with the northward migration of the Miocene Berg River. Such studies are of paramount importance for the possible assessment of the causes of changes in the palaeoenvironment and should first be carried out at many more sites over a wide region. It is to some extent premature to draw firm conclusions as to the origin and migration of some taxa in southern Africa. The record of very primitive angiosperms such as the ClavatipolleniteslAscarina complex and Winteraceae is of considerable phytogeographic interest.

Two Pairs of Vicarious Species of Cypripedium (Orchidaceae) from Eastern Asia and Eastern North America

The taxonomy and phytogeography of two pairs of vicarious cypripediums,C. reginae Walt. andC. flavum Hunt & Summerh., andC. arietinum R. Br. andC. plectrochilon Franchet, are discussed. They are all distinct species, though there exist close relationships between the members of each pair. Of phytogeographic interest are the strong resemblance of distribution patterns of these two pairs of vicarious species, the similarity of their habitats, and the fact that all are rather primitive members in the genus.

Mosses of the Nahanni and Liard ranges area, southwestern Northwest Territories

The Nahanni and Liard mountain ranges are located at about 61° N latitude and 122° W longitude. They form the easternmost slopes of the Rocky Mountains and lie just east of Nahanni National Park in the southwestern corner of the District of Mackenzie, Northwest Territories. The moss flora of the area is rich in the number of taxa; 207 species and two varieties are reported from this relatively small area. Of these, 53 species are new records for the South Nahanni region. A number of rare or disjunct bryophyte species are found in the area. Moss species which are either disjunct or occur at the edge of their range include Arctoa fulvella (Dicks.) B.S.G., Aulacomnium acuminatum (Lindb. & Arn.) Kindb., Andreaeobryum macrosporum Steere & B. Murray, Geheebia gigantea (Funck) Boul., Isopterygiopsis muelleriana (Schimp.) Iwats., Mnium spinosum (Voit) Schwaegr., Psilopilum cavifolium (Wils.) Hagen, Rhabdoweisia crispata (With.) Lindb., Seligeria calcarea (Hedw.) B.S.G., S. polaris Berggr., Trematodon brevicollis Hornsch., and Trichostomum arcticum Kaal. The North American distribution of these species is mapped. Herbertus stramineus (Dum.) Trev., Metacalypogeia schusterana Hatt. & Mizut., Scapania crassiretis Bryhn, and S. simmonsii Bryhn & Kaal. are four hepatic species of phytogeographic interest.

A phytogeographical and phytosociological study of Viola rotundifolia in Eastern Canada

The region of extreme southern Quebec, situated adjacent to the Appalachian Mountains, is one of considerable phytogeographic interest, particularly in terms of mountain species which entered Eastern Canada in the postglacial period. Quantitative data gathered from a large number of forest stands in the region are assembled and analyzed to determine the phytosociological and ecological position of Viola rotundifolia, which is considered to be such a species. This information is further used to ascertain the invasion patterns and attempt to explain the present geographical range of this species at its northeastern limits in North America. This analysis should prove useful in assisting to understand the phytogeography of other similar species in this region.

The Lichen Genus Aspidelia Stirt.

The name Aspidelia Stirt. is invalid. The constituent species of this genus, A. beckettii Stirt. from New Zealand and A. wattii Stirt. from the Himalayas, are identified as Parmelia tenuirima Hook. & Tayl. and Cetraria sanguinea Schaer. respectively. In the course of monographing the genus Cetraria and certain related groups in the Parmeliaceae, I have found it necessary to clarify certain obscure generic names suspected to refer to these plants. One of these is Aspidelia, a name proposed by Stirton in 1899 and a genus to which no major reference in the taxonomic literature has subsequently ever been made. Two species were described by Stirton to constitute the new genus Aspidelia. Nomenclaturally, however, the genus can be dismissed as invalidly published because there was no description of it apart 1 Research carried out under National Science Foundation Grant GB1239. 2 Department of Botany, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.111 on Tue, 09 Aug 2016 04:59:10 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 114 THE BRYOLOGIST [Volume 69 from the diagnoses of the new species themselves (International Code, Art. 41). Consequently the names of the species are invalid too (Art. 43). The two species referred to Aspidelia A. beckettii Stirt. from New Zealand and A. wattii from the Himalayas were thought by Stirton to be closely related to each other and sufficiently distinct from other Parmeliaceae, notably Parmelia itself, to constitute a new genus. The supposedly unique character of Aspidelia was the spermogonia clustered in raised tubercules or bullae. The holotype specimens of both species were seen through the courtesy of the Keeper of Botany of the British Museum (Natural History). Both specimens have large, conspicuous tubercles on the upper surface. These tubercles, however, do not contain pycnidia (=spermogonia) at all but instead the fruiting bodies of some parasitic fungus or fungi. The genus Aspidelia and the two species that constitute it are based on pathological material. Aspidelia beckettii, which received the more detailed original description of two species, is referrable to Parmelia. Mason E. Hale, Jr., who is currently monographing that genus, has identified the type of A. beckettii as Parmelia tenuirima Hook. & Tayl. I have identified the constituents of this specimen as salacinic acid (by crystals in the G.A.o-T and K,CO:/KOH solutions and by paper chromatography) and atranorin (crystals in the G.A.o-T solution). Aspidelia wattii is based upon a very badly infected specimen of Cetraria sanguinea Schaer. The specimen has a certain phytogeographic interest quite apart from its nomenclatural significance in that it is one of the apparently few specimens of Cetraria sanguinea ever collected from the mainland of Asia, the species being best known from Java where it seems to be one of the most abundant macrolichens. In the type specimen in question here, Chicita F. Culberson found anziaic acid (by chromatography) and atranorin (by crystals in the G.E. and G.A.o-T solutions and by chromatography), the same substances as those elaborated by the species in Java. In summary, the nomenclatural and taxonomic disposition of Aspidelia is as follows: Aspidelia Stirt., Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 32: 81. 1899 (Published: June, 1900).-Invalid name (Art. 41). Aspidelia beckettii Stirt., Ibid., 82: 81. 1899 (1900). Type: New Zealand, Beckett. (Holotype BM!). Invalid name (Art. 43). Identity: Parmelia tenuirima Hook. & Tayl. (fide M. E. Hale, Jr.). Aspidelia wattii Stirt., Ibid. 82: 82. 1899 (1900). Type: Himalayas, Lingabelah Range, 12,000 ft, Watt 7070. (Holotype BM!). Invalid name (Art. 43). Identity: Cetraria sanguinea Schaer.

The phytogeography of the Australian region

The phytogeography of the Australian region

The Third International Phytogeographic Excursion

The Third International Phytogeographic Excursion, which had been proposed in i9i5 by the Swiss botanists, and which had been postponed on account of the World War, was held during the summer of 1923. The main party met in the Botanical Museum of the Technical High School in Zurich and was addressed by the head of the High School, the rector of the University, and the committee of arrangements composed of Drs. C. Schroeter, H. Brockmann-Jerosch and Ed. Ruibel. After the lectures, delivered in French and German, the party inspected the finely appointed laboratory of botany with its important collection of teaching material. The first excursion was taken on July 21st to study the Sihlwald, with midday meal at the Hotel Hirschen Albis, while the afternoon was spent in a visit to Utliberg and Uto-Kulm; July 22nd was spent near Zurich in a visit to the mixed forest of Loorenkopf and Adlisberg, with an inspection of the forest experiment station at Adlisberg under the guidance of the director of the station. A two days' excursion with return to Zurich on the evening of July 24 was taken via Brunnen, Luzern and Alpnachstad to the summit of Mt. Pilatus, where the night was spent, the return down the mountain being made on foot the next day. Zurich, which had been the headquarters during the first five days of the excursion, was finally left on July 25. The party entrained for Chur and in rapid succession until August 13, when the party disbanded at Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the Jungfrau, the points of principal ecologic and phytogeographic interest were visited in Switzerland and Northern Italy. Only some of the important features of the excursion can be mentioned within the limits of this synopsis. At Chur-Reichenau xerotherm vegetation was studied. The party proceeded by Albula Pass into the Engadin, traveling from Bevers to Zernez in the Lower Engadin. Zernez is the gateway to the Swiss National Park, which was visited, as well as the summit of the Buffalora, which commands a view of the Ortler in Tyrol. The botanists found the flora of Alp Buffalora and Mt. Buffalora, just outside the National Park limits, rich and interesting. The forest vegetation in the Upper Engadin between St. Moritz and Pontresina was found to consist of a mixture of Larix decidua, Picea excelsa, Pinus silvestris var. engadensis and woody undergrowth of Vaccinum11 Myrtillus, V. uliginosum, Rhododendrumsn ferrugineuuw, B etula pubescens, Pyrus aucuparia, etc.,