CONTRIBUTION TO THE INVENTORY OF BRYOPHYTES FLORA OF TALASSEMTANE NATIONAL PARK, NORTH OF MOROCCO

Abstract

In order to contribute to the elaboration of an inventory of the bryophytic flora of Morocco, we were interested in the
present study in the bryoflora of the National Park of Talassemtane (PNTS). It is an original site by its rich
biodiversity, located in the Western Rif near the town of Chefchaouen. The inventory was carried out with the help of
72 surveys in 8 different stations following a sampling of bryophytes carried out during five years, from 2014 to 2019,
when periods are favourable for harvesting. A total of 132 taxa were recorded, including 123 Mosses, 8 Liverworts
and a unique Anthocerote, grouping 27 families and 60 genera. Thus, the moss class is the most represented in all the
stations surveyed, either 93%, including 18 families and 51 genera. The bryophytic species are either harvested on a
single type of substrate, or they are both saxicolous and/or terricolous and/or epiphytic; as there are those that are
aquatic or supra-aquatic.Saxicolous bryophytes seem to be the most represented (54 taxa), followed by epiphytes and
terricoles, then supra-aquatic, aquatic, epixyles and muricoles. Timmiella barbiloides and Lunularia cruciata are
widely distributed in the study area with varying abundance classes. Antitrichia californica is dominant (IES=300) but
is more widely distributed in the park fir forest. Thus we noted 39.4% of the taxa listed as very scarce in the study
site. Among the inventoried bryophytes, 30 species are newly observed in the study region; among them, three were
identified for the first time in Morocco, Didymodon sinuosus, Didymodon umbrosus and Scleropodium obtusifolium,
where the first two belong to the family Pottiaceae and the last one to the family Brachyteciaceae. Scleropodium
obtusifolium is new to North African countries. Thus, this study has enriched the bryological flora of Morocco and
even that of North Africa.
Keywords: Bryophytes, Inventory, Talassemtane National Park, New species, Rif, Morocco.

Full text

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Plant Archives Vol. 21, Supplement 1, 2021 pp. 269-281 e-ISSN:2581-6063 (online), ISSN:0972-5210
Plant Archives
Journal homepage: http://www.plantarchives.org
doi link : https://doi.org/10.51470/PLANTARCHIVES.2021.v21.S1.044
CONTRIBUTION TO THE INVENTORY OF BRYOPHYTES FLORA OF TALASSEMTANE
NATIONAL PARK, NORTH OF MOROCCO
Jamila Zaza, Hifsa Laouzazni, Jamila Dahmani and Nadia Belahbib
*
Laboratory of Plants, Animals Productions and Agro-industry, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University,
BP 133, Kénitra 14000, Morocco.
*corresponding author: nadia.belahbib@uit.ac.ma|
ABSTRACT
In order to contribute to the elaboration of an inventory of the bryophytic flora of Morocco, we were interested in the
present study in the bryoflora of the National Park of Talassemtane (PNTS). It is an original site by its rich
biodiversity, located in the Western Rif near the town of Chefchaouen. The inventory was carried out with the help of
72 surveys in 8 different stations following a sampling of bryophytes carried out during five years, from 2014 to 2019,
when periods are favourable for harvesting. A total of 132 taxa were recorded, including 123 Mosses, 8 Liverworts
and a unique Anthocerote, grouping 27 families and 60 genera. Thus, the moss class is the most represented in all the
stations surveyed, either 93%, including 18 families and 51 genera. The bryophytic species are either harvested on a
single type of substrate, or they are both saxicolous and/or terricolous and/or epiphytic; as there are those that are
aquatic or supra-aquatic.Saxicolous bryophytes seem to be the most represented (54 taxa), followed by epiphytes and
terricoles, then supra-aquatic, aquatic, epixyles and muricoles. Timmiella barbiloides and Lunularia cruciata are
widely distributed in the study area with varying abundance classes. Antitrichia californica is dominant (IES=300) but
is more widely distributed in the park fir forest. Thus we noted 39.4% of the taxa listed as very scarce in the study
site. Among the inventoried bryophytes, 30 species are newly observed in the study region; among them, three were
identified for the first time in Morocco, Didymodon sinuosus, Didymodon umbrosus and Scleropodium obtusifolium,
where the first two belong to the family Pottiaceae and the last one to the family Brachyteciaceae. Scleropodium
obtusifolium is new to North African countries. Thus, this study has enriched the bryological flora of Morocco and
even that of North Africa.
Keywords: Bryophytes, Inventory, Talassemtane National Park, New species, Rif, Morocco.
Introduction
The Talassemtane National Park (PNTS) was created in
2004 for its rich flora and landscape architecture (Benabid,
2000). This biodiversity has been the subject of various
research studies (Benabid, 1994; Meda, 2008; Benyahia et
al., 2015; Otero et al., 2017), particularly on fauna, flora,
ecology, etc... No research has focused on the bryophytes of
the PNTS, apart from a few temporary surveys (Ahayoun et
al., 2013; Ros et al., 2013). In terms of species richness,
Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, anthoceroses) are the second
largest phylum after Angiosperms, with about 23,000
species. Morocco currently has a bryophytic flora of about
619 species.This number has been deduced from the samples
kept in the herbarium of "The Scientific Institute of Rabat"
and from relatively old or recent studies, by Ahayoun et al. in
2013. Bryophytes are small plants that go unnoticed but
colonize different habitats in various ecosystems. Byophytes
play a considerable role in forest ecosystems. When they
form a continuous mat, they regulate the thermal
environment of the soil (case of the terricolous) and are
therefore able to filter nutrients efficiently for the benefit of
the forest trees (Oechel and Van Cleve, 1986). They are used
as bio-indicators of air pollution. (Govindapyari et al., 2010),
especially epiphytes (Authelet, 2019), and, also, that of the
water thanks to aquatic bryophytes (Empain, 1973). Mosses
play an important role in soil formation by colonizing
inorganic substrates such as boulders. They then contribute to
the formation of humus (Ozenda, 2000) and have a water
retention medium that allows the seeds of higher plants to
germinate (Ah-Peng, 2007). Thus, given the importance that
these plants can play in the ecosystems they occupy, this
study was undertaken with the aim of developing an
inventory of bryophytic species in Talassemtane National
Park, and to describe their distribution according to their
ecological preferences in this site. This is within the
framework of completing and enriching the bryoflora of
Morocco.
Materials and Methods
Study area
Talassemtane National Park (PNTS) covers an area of
64,601 ha in an altitudinal fringe ranging from 600 m (city of
Chefchaouen) to 2,159 m (Jbel Lakraâ) and is located in the
provinces of Chefchaouen (2/3) and Tetouan (1/3). (Fig. 1). It
covers the eastern end of the great limestone ridge that forms
most of the Rif, with a calcairo-dolomitic lithology. (El
Gharbaoui, 1981). With its very rugged relief, the park is
characterized by the highest peaks of the Western Rif, such
as Jbel Lekraa (2159 m), Jbel Tissouka (2122 m), Jbel
Taloussiste (2005), Jbel Kelti (1926 m) et Jbel Tazaout (1791
m) (HCEFLCD, 2010 ; Ater et al., 2014 ; Benyahia et al.,

270
2016). It also has a very special hydrological feature:
cascade. (Akchour, Ras-El-Ma), barrage (Talambote), the
oueds, and also gorges with impressive cliffs and deep,
narrow caves. The climate of the PNTS is characterized by
the fact that it is the wettest zone in North Africa with
diversified bioclimates: temperate subhumid at low altitude,
cool humid, cold to very cold perhumid. (Benabid,
2000).Annual precipitation ranges from 500 mm in the
eastern valleys to over 2000 mm on the mountain tops with
little snow cover.This ecosystem diversity is reflected in the
high specific richness of the flora and fauna, which qualifies
the PNTS as a biodiversity hotspot in the Mediterranean
basin. Thus, The park hosts about 190 animal species
(mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) of which 35% are
endemic and more than 750 plant species belonging to 103
families of which 56 are endemic (ATECMA & ECOTONO,
2012). It is characterized by three fir plantations (Jbel
Talassemtane, Jbel Lekraa and Tissouka) with a surface area
of 2219 ha. (ATECMA & ECOTONO, 2012); they are
climatic forest formations, organized by an endemic and
relict species of fir tree, Abies maroccana Trab. There are 11
major forest species:Abies marocana, Pinus sp., Cedrus
atlantica, Quercus faginea, Quercus rotundifolia, Tetraclinis
articulata, Olea silvestris, etc… (Benabid, 1984). The park is
also home to an important biodiversity of aromatic and
medicinal plants, of which 184 species have recently been
inventoried. (Rattass et al., 2017).
Fig. 1: Location of the study area and prospected stations (Talassemtane National Park, Northern Morocco).
Data collection
The PNTS bryoflora study was carried out using
systematic sampling according to the forest areas of the site:
Ain Rami, Bab Taza, Bni Hassane, Talambote, Assifane,
Bouhmed, Sidi Abdelhamid, Talassemtane. Our choice
focused on these eight stations, which were deemed to be
representative of the park's ecosystem diversity (Fig.
1).These stations combined 72 readings (Table 1).
The inventory of the bryological species of the PNTS
was carried out over a period of 5 years, from October 2014
to March 2019, taking care to program the prospection during
different seasons in order to be able to follow the vegetative
Contribution to the inventory of bryophytes flora of talassemtane national park, north of Morocco

271
cycle of the species. Spring is generally the season for
bryophyte sporulation. Thus, we have made a point of
making several passes per year in order to harvest the
maximum number of species on the different types of
substrates and in different possible natural habitat
environments (rocky areas, wetlands, forests, matorrals,
lawns).
The identification of the harvested species was based on
the following determination keys: Smith (2014), Pierrot
(1982), Boulay (1904), Augier(1966), (Coudreuse et al.,
2005), Casas et al.(2006), Casas et al. (2009). Verification of
species nomenclature is based on the list of North African
bryophytes (Ros et al., 1999). The species new to the region
are marked with one asterisk (*), for Morocco with two
asterisks (**) and for North Africa with three asterisks (***).
The morphological state under which the plant was
encountered is noted by "G" (=gametophyte) for species
harvested only in the sterile state or by "GS"
(=gametophyte+sporophyte) for species harvested in the
fertile state.
Data analysis
The abundance of species in the different substrates in
the study area was expressed using the Ecological
Significance Index "IES", where frequency and overlap are
two parameters of abundance, (Lara & Mazimpaka, 1998;
Albertos et al., 2001), whose mathematical expression is as
follows: IES=F (1+C).
With,F (relative frequency) = 100 x /n andC (mean
cover) =Σ c
i
/ x, where xrepresents the number of samples
containing the species, n the total number of samples and c
i
the cover class attributed to the species in each sample.
The recover classes have been classified according to
the following values: 0,5 (<1%), 1 (1%-5%), 2 (6%-25%), 3
(26%-50%), 4 (51%-75%), 5 (>75%).For a better
understanding, the values of this index have been delineated
into frequency classes as follows: very scarce (≤25), scarce
(26-50), moderately abundant (51-100), abundant (101-200)
and dominant (>200).
Results and Discussion
Sampling to date has identified 132 bryophytic taxa in
PNTS, belonging to 27 families and 60 genera, and divided
into 123 mosses, 8 liverworts and one anthocerote. The
families are presented in the catalogue by grouping the
species in alphabetical order and by phylum. For each
species, the stations where it was collected, the altitude and
the type of substrate on which it lived are noted, including
terrestrial species and aquatic or supra-aquatic species.
PNTS Bryophyte Inventory (2014-2019):
ANTHOCEROPHYTA
Anthocerotaceae
Anthocerote punctatus L. Douin: (G), Jbel Lekraa,
terricolous (clay soil), slope NW.Alt : 1205 m.green
oakMatorral, forest of Abies marocana.
MARCHANTIOPHYTA
Frunalliaceae
Frunallia sp.: (G), Jbel Kelti, terricolous, (on clay soil),
found in combination with Homalothecium lutecens.
Fossombroniaceae
Fossombronia sp.: (G), Jbel Kelti, terricolous, (iron-rich
clay soil).
Lunulariaceae
Lunularia cruciate (L.) Dum: (GS), Bab taza,
terricolous (clay soil), slope NW. Alt: 887 m, on lawn.Jbel
Akchouron wet clay soil at the edge of the big cascade, on
the banks of the Oued Ferda, on the banks of the Oued Kelâa
(supra-aquatic species), on limestone rock, Alt: 618 m. Ras-
El-Maon the wall (artificial substrate), Alt:564m. Jbel
Taloussiste on clay soil and at the edge of a water source, in
combination with Dicranella, slope Est, Alt: 1105 m. Oued
Law in a water source (sagia).
Marchantiaceae
*Marchantia polymorpha L.: (GS), Jbel Akchour,
terricolous (clay soil), muricolous and saxicolous (calcareous
rock) at the edge of the cascade, Alt: 369 m (supra-aquatic
species).
Pelliaceae
Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Dumort.= [Pellia
fabbroniana Raddi,Peliia calycina (Taylor) Nees.]: (GS), Jbel
Lekraa, saxicolous (limestone rock) sope NW, Alt: between
1205 m et 1634 m.Holm oak matorral, Abies marocana
+Quercus faginea, Abies marocana. Jbel Kelti on clay soil
(terricolous).
Porellaceae
Porella platyphylla (L.) Pleiff.: (GS), Jbel Lekraa,
saxicolous (on siliceous rock), slope Est, Alt: between 1635
m et 1638 m.
Sphaerocarpaceae
*Sphaerocarpos michelii Bellardi: (G), Jbel Akchour,
terricolous (very wet clay soil) on the verge of Oued Kelâa,
Alt: 374 m (supra-aquatic species).
Targoniaceae
Targonia hypophylla L.:(GS), Jbel Akchour, terricolous
and saxicolous, harvested on very wet clay soil at the edge of
the big cascade (supraaquatic species), Alt: 613 m.Jbel
Taloussisteon siliceous soil, slope Est, Alt: 1105 m. Jbel kelti
on limestone rock.
BRYOPHYTA
Amblystegiaceae
*Amblystegium tenax (Hedw.): (G), Jbel Akchour,
saxicolous, fixed on pebbles immersed in the running water
of the middle cascade (aquatic species), Alt: 376 m.Jbel
Kelti, on calcareous rock, in the meadow.
*Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb.: (G), Jbel
Taloussiste, saxicolos (siliceous rock), slope Est, Alt: 1106
m.
Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) =[Cratoneuron
filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce, Hygroamblystegium filicinum (L.)
Loesk., Hygroamblystegium fallax (Brid.) Loesk., Hypnum
filicinum Hedw., Cratoneuron filicinum var. crassinervium
(Renauld) Podp.]: (G), Ras-El-Ma, saxicolous, fixed on
pebbles of the cascade (supraaquatic species), Alt: 564m.Jbel
Loubar on limestone soil, Alt: 622 m.
Jamila Zaza
et al.

272
*Cratoneuron commutatum (Hedw.)=
Palustriellacommutata (Hedw.): (G),Jbel Akchour,
saxicolous,on the verge of Oued Kelâa (supraaquatic
species)on pebbles, Alt: 373 m.
Hygroamblystegium tenax (Hedw.) Jenn.:(G),Ras-El-
Ma, saxicolous, fixed onpebbles of the cascade (supraaquatic
species), Alt:564m.
*Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst =
Amblystegium riparium (Hedw.) Schimp.:(G), Jbel Loubar,
terricolous (on sandy-clay soil), Alt: 630 m.
Bartramiaceae
Bartramia pomiformis (Hedw.):(GS), Jbel Kelti,
saxicolous (on limestone rock), lives in association with
Trichostomum crispulum.
Brachytheciaceae
Brachythecium dieckei Roll.: (G), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte, on the trunk of Abies marocana, Alt : 1600m.
Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw) Schimp:(G), Jbel
Kelti, epiphyte, on the trunk of Quercus rotundifolia, Alt:
1200 m. Jbel Loubar, terricolous (on sandy-clay soil), Alt:
630 m.
Brachythecium plumosum (Hedw):(G), Jbel Akchour,
saxicolous, fixed on pebble on the edge of a large cascade,
(supra-aquatic species), Alt: 613m.
Brachythecium velutinum (Hedw.)Ignatov &
Huttunen=Chamberlainia velutina (Hedw.)H.Rob.: (G),Jbel
Lekraa, terricolous (on clay soil), slope N, Alt: betwen
1112m et 1634m, found in association with Didymodon
sinuosus et Bryum caespiticium at an altitude of 1634 m, in
lawn and et forest ofAbies marocana.
Cirriphyllum crassinervium (Tayl.)Loeske& M.
Fleischb. =Eurhynchiumcrassinervium:(G), Jebl Akchour,
saxicolous(on limstone rock), Alt: 376m.
Eurhynchium hians (Hedw) =Eurhynchiumswartzii var.
rigidum (Boulay):(G), Jbel Akchour, terricolous (on claysoil)
on the verge of OuedFerda, Alt: 376 m.
Eurhynchium praelongum (Hedw) Schimp.=Kindbergia
praelonga (Hedw) Schimp.: (G), Jbel Lekraa, terricolous (on
clay soil), slope North-west, Alt: betwen 1163m et 1634m,
found in association withDidymodon sinuosun,
Brachytechium velutinum andBryum caespiticiumat
analtitude of 1634m. Forest ofAbies marocana+Quercus
faginea, forest of Abies marocana.
Eurhynchium pulchellum (Wils.) Schimp:(G),Jbel
Akchour, saxicolous (on a pebble in the big cascade), Alt:
613 m (aquatic species).
Eurhynchium striatum (Schreb.) Schimp=
Eurhynchiummagnusii (H. Winter) Pilous:(GS), Jbel
Akchour, epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus rotundifolia),
Alt : 523 m.
*Homalothecium lutescens (Hedw.) H.Rob=
Comptothecium lutescens (Hedw.) Schimp.:(G),Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the trunk of Abies marocana), slope North-west,
Alt: betwen 1112m et 1714 m, found in association
withPterigonium gracile at an altitude of 1500m. In lawn,
forest of Abies marocana+Quercus faginea, Abies
marocana.Jbel Keltiwhere she sometimes lives in association
with Frunallia. Jbel Taloussisteon the slope East, Alt:1105
m.
*Homalothecium philippeanum (Spruce) Schimp :
(GS), Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on trunk, exposed roots and
branches of Abies marocana), slopeNorth andNorth-west,
Alt: betwen 1500m and 1714m.Forest of Abies
marocana+Quercus faginea, forest of Abies marocana.
Homalotheium sericeum (Hedw.) Schimp =
Camptothecium sericeum (Hedw)Kindb: (G), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on trunk of Abies marocana), North-western
slope,Alt: between 1500m and 1646m.Forest of Abies
moroccana+Quercus faginea, forest of Abies moroccana.
Jbel Loubar, saxicolous (limestone rock), Alt: 626 m.
Isothecium alopecuroides (Lam.ex Dubois) Isov: (G),
Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on the trunk of Abies marocana),
North-western slope, Alt: betwen 1712m and 1714m. Forest
of Abies marocana.
Isothecium myosuroides Brid. =Eurhynchium
myosuroides (Brid) Schimp:(G), Jbel Akchour, epiphyte (on
the trunk of Quercusrotundifolia), Alt: 516m.
Platyhypnidium riparoides (Hedw) Cardot =
[Rhynchostegium riparoides (Hedw.) Cardot, Platyhypnidium
rusciforme (Neck.) M. Fleisch., Rhynchostegium rusciforme
(Weiss ex Brid) Schimp., Oxyrrhynchium rusciforme (Neck.)
Warnst., Eurhynchium rusciforme Milde.]: (G), Jbel
Akchour, saxicolous (on limestone rock), Alt: 614 m.
Rhynchostegium confertum (Dicks.) Schimp.:(G), Jbel
Taloussiste, saxicolous (on siliseous rock), versant Est, Alt:
1106m.
Sciuro-hypnum plumosum Hedw Ignatov &
Huttunen=Brachythecium plumosum:(G), Jbel Taloussiste,
saxicolous(on limestone rock), slope East, Alt: 1106 m.
*Sciuro–hypnum reflexum (Starke) (Brid) Ignatov
&Huttenen=Brachythecium reflexum (Starke) Schimp.:(G),
Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte and saxicolousrespectively on the trunk
of Abies marocana and on limestone rock, slope North-west;
Alt: betwen 1294m and 1714m. Forest of Abies
marocana+Quercus faginea, forest of Abies marocana.Jbel
Akchouron the verge of OuedKelâa fixed on the pebbles
(supra-aquatic species), Alt: 373 m.
***Scleropodium obtusifolium(Bruch.) Schimp:(G),Jbel
Lekraa, epiphyte (on the branches of Abies marocana), slope
North, Alt: 1638m. Forest of Abies marocana.
Scleropodium touretii (Brid), L.F. Koch. =S. illecebrum
(Vail.) B.E:(G),Jbel Lekraa,epiphyte (on the trunk ofAbies
marocana), slope North-west, Alt: betwen 1635m and
1638m.Forest of Abies marocana.Jbel Kelti, saxicolous (on
limestone rock).
Scorpiurium circinatum (Brid.) M. Fleisch. & Loeske
=[Eurhynchiunm circinatum (Brid.) Schimp., Thamnium
circinatum (Brid). Kindb]:(G), Jbel Akchour, epiphyte (on
the trunk of Quercus rotundifolia), Alt: 523m.
Bryaceae
Bryum caespiticium (Hedw.): (G), Jbel Lekraa,
terricolous (clay soil), Alt: 1500m and 1634m, found in
association with Eurhynchium pralongium and Orthotrichum
affineatan altitude of 1500m. Forest of Abiesmarocana. Jbel
Contribution to the inventory of bryophytes flora of talassemtane national park, north of Morocco

273
Kelti, on limesone rockin association with Barbula
unguculata.
Bryum capillare Hedw.:(GS), Jbel Lekraa, terricolous
(claysoil), Alt: 887m and 1634m.Lawn and forest of Abies
marocana.Jbel Akchour, epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus
rotundifolia) and saxicolous (limestone rock), Alt: 614 m.
Jbel Taloussiste, slope East, Alt: 1105 m.
Bryum donianum Grev.:(GS), Jbel Taloussiste,
saxicolous (on limestone rock), Alt :1105m.
Bryum gemmilucens R. Wilczek & Demaret:(G), Bab
Taza, terricolous(sandy soil), Alt: 887m.
Bryumpallescens Schleich.ex Schwägr.: (GS), Jbel
Lekraa, saxicolous (on limestone rock), Alt: 887m.Lawn.
Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) P. Gaertn., B. Mey.
& Scherb:(G), Jbel Kelti, terricolous (on iron rich clay soil).
*Bryum rubens Mitt.: (GS),Ras-El-Ma, terricolous
(sandy soil) andmuricolous, Alt:564m.
Bryum sp.: (G), Ras-El-Ma, muricolous, Alt:564m.
Bryum torquescens Bruch ex De Not.:(GS),Bab Taza,
terricolous(sandy soil), Alt : 887m.
*Ptychostomum moravicum (Podp.) Ros &
Mazimpaka:(G), Jbel Lekraa, terricolous (clay soil), Alt:
betwen 887m and 1634m. Lawn and forest of Abies
marocana.
Dicranaceae
Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.:(G),Jbel Lekraa,
terricolous (clay soil), Alt: 1500m and 1632m.Forest of Abies
marocana+Quercus faginea and forest of Abies marocana.
Dicranella varia (Hedw.) Schimp (Hedw.) Schimp.
=Anisothecium rubrum Lindb.): (G), Jbel Taloussiste,
terricolous (clay soil), lives inassiciation with Lunularia
cruciata, East exposition, Alt: 1106m.
Dicranowesia cirrata (Hew.) Lindb:(G), Jbel Lekraa,
saxicolous (on limestone rock), North exposition, Alt: 1635
m. Forest of Abies marocana.
Fissidentaceae
Fissidens dubius P. Beauv. =Fissidens cristatus Wilson
ex Mitt.: (GS), Jbel Akchour, saxicolous (on limestone rock)
shaded, on the verge of OuedKelâa, Alt: 376m ( aquatic
species).
Fissidens grandifrons (Brid.): (G), Jbel Akchour,
saxicolous (on limestone rock), in the big cascade, Alt: 613
m (aquatic species).
Fissidens incurvus Starke ex Rohl:(G), Oued Laou,
Oued Ifrtan, terricolous (on clay soil) (supraaquatic species).
Fontinalaceae
*Fontinalis Antipyretica (Hedw):(G),Ras-El-Ma,
saxicolous(on the pebbles in the big cascade) (aquatic
species), Alt:564 m.
Funariaceae
Enthostodon muhlenbergii (Turner) lndb. =[Funaria
dentata Crome., Funaria hibernica Hook., Funaria calcarea
Wahlenb, Funaria mediterranea Lindb., Funaria
muhlenbergii Turner) Lindb.]:(GS), Ras-El-Ma, terricolous
(limestone soil) and saxicolous(siliceouse rock), Alt: 614 m.
*Entosthodon attenuates(Dicks.) Bryhn =[Entosthodon
templetonii (Sm.) Schwagr.,Funaria attenuata (Dicks.)
Lindb.]:(GS), Jbel Taloussite, terricolous (on clay soil), Alt:
1106m.
Funaria hygrometrica (Hedw.):(GS), Jbel Lekraa,
terricolous (on clay soil), North-western exposition, Alt:
1294m.Forest ofQuercus faginea. Jbel Akchour on the trunk
of Quercus rotundifolia and limestone soil, Alt: 500 m.
*Funaria pulchella H. Philib.=Enthostodon pulchellus
(H.Philib.) Brogues:(GS),Jbel Akchour, terricolous (on
limestone soil), Alt: 500m.
Grimmiaceae
Grimmia arenaria Hampe: (G), Jbel Taloussiste on clay
soil, eastern exposition, Alt : 1106m.
*Grimmia decipiens(Schultz) Lindb:(GS),Jbel Lekraa,
saxicolous (limestone rock), slope North-west, Alt: 1112m
and 1205m. Lawn, green oak matorral, forest of Abies
marocana.
*Grimmia funalis (Schwaegr.) Bruch & Schimp:(GS),
Jbel Akchour, saxicolous (limestone rock), Alt: 500m.
*Grimmia longirostrie (Hook):(G), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the trunk ofAbies marocana), exposition North-
west, Alt: 1294m.Forest of Quercus faginea.
*Grimmia muhlenbeckii Schimp. =Dryptodon
muhlenbeckii (Schimp.) Loeske.: (G), Jbel Taloussiste,
saxicolous (limestone rock), eastern exposition, Alt: 1105 m.
Grimmia orbicularis Bruchex Wilson =Dryptodon
orbicularis (Bruchex Wilson) Ochyra & Zarnowiec:(G), Jbel
Lekraa, saxicolous (limestone rock), North-western
exposition, Alt: 1634m. Forest of Abies marocana.
Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm., Engl. Bot.=
G.pulvinata var.africana (Hedw.)Hook.f. & Wilson:(GS),
Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte(on the trunk and exposed roots of
Abies marocana), slope North, Alt: betwen 1500m and
1712m.Forest of Abies marocana+Quercus faginea and
forest of Abies marocana.
Grimmia trichophyla Grev Fl, Edinensis=Grimmia
ausrtofunalis auct:(GS), Jbel Lekraa, saxicolous (siliceous
rock), North-western slope, Alt : betwen 1113m and
1714m.Lawn, green oak matorral, forest of Abies
marocana+Quercus faginea and forest of Abies marocana.
Racomitrium aciculare (Hedw.):(GS), Ras-El-Ma,
muricolous, Alt:564m.
Schistidium crassipilum H.H. Blom: (GS), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus faginea), Alt: 1294m.
Forest of Quercus faginea+Abies marocana.
Hypnaceae
Hypnum cupressiform Hedw (Timm ex Hedw.)
Brid:(G), Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on trunk, branches and
apparent rootsof Abies marocana), exposition Nort-west, Alt:
betwen 1634m and 1714m, also lives in association with
Antitrichia californica and Syntrichia ruralis. Forest of Abies
marocana.
*Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum (Brid.):
(G),Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on the trunk of Abies marocana),
exposition North, Alt: around 1635m, found in association
with Tortella tortuosa. Forest of Abies marocana.
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274
Leskeaceae
Leskea gracilescens Hedwig: (GS), Jbel Loubar,
terricolouson sandy-clay soil, Alt: 588 m.
Leucodontaceae
Antitrichia californica Sull: (G), Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte
(on the trunk, branches and apparent roots of Abies
marocana) and saxicolous (on limestone rock), slopes North
andNorth-west, Alt: between 1500m and 1712m. Forest of
Abies marocana+Quercus faginea and forest of Abies
marocana.
Antitrichia curtipendila (Hedw.) Brid:(G),Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the trunk of Abies marocana), slope North-west,
Alt: betwen 1500m and 1714m, found in association with
Syntrichia ruralisat an altitude of 1634m. Forest of Abies
marocana+Quercus faginea, forest of Abies marocana. Jbel
Taloussiste on branche of green oak, slope East, Alt: 1105 m.
Forest of Quercus rotundifolia.
Leucodon sciuroides (Hedw) Schwagr: (G), Jbel
Lekraa, epiphyte(on the trunk, branches ofAbies marocana),
northern slope, Alt: 1714m.Forest of Abies marocana. Jbel
Taloussiste, slope East, Alt: 1106 m. Forest of Quercus
rotundifolia.
Pterogonium gracile(Hedw):(G), Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte
(on the trunk of Abies marocana), slopes North and North-
west, Alt: betwen 1500m and 1635m,lives in association with
Homalothecium lutecens at an altitude of 1500m. Forest of
Abies marocana+ Quercus fagineaand forest of Abies
marocana.
Mniaceae
Mnium sp.:(G), Oued Laou, terricolous (clay soil)in the
verge of Oued (supra-aquatic species).
Mnium spinosum(Voit.), Schwagr:(GS), Jbel Akchour,
saxicolous (limestone rock), Alt: 618 m.
Mnium spinulosum Bruch & Schimp: (G), Ras-El-Ma,
saxicolous, fixed on the pebbles in the cascade (aquatic
species), Alt:564m.
Rhizomnium punctatum (Hedw) T.j Kop:(G),Ras-El-
Ma, saxicolous, fixed on the pebbles in cascade (aquatic
species), Alt:564 m.
Neckeraceae
Homalia lusitanica (Hedw) Brid =[Homalia lusitanica
var. subrecta (Mitt.) Dull-Herm., Homalia subrecta (Mitt.)
A. Jaeger, Neckera subrecta Mitt.)]: (G), Jbel Akchour,
epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus rotundifolia), Alt: 516m.
Leptodon smithii F Weber & D.Mohr =Hypnum smithii
Hedw:(G), Jbel Akchour, epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus
rotundifolia), Alt: 523m. Jbel Lekraa, on Quercus
rotundifolia,slope North-west, Alt: 1294m.Forest ofQuercus
faginea.Jbel Kelti, epiphyteon the trunk of green oak,
mattoral ofQuercus rotundifolia.
Thamnium alopecurum (Hedw.) Schimp.
=Thamnobryum alopecurum (Hedw.) Gangulee: (G), Jbel
Akchour, epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus rotundifolia),
Alt: 369m.
Orthotrichaceae
Orthotrichum affineSchrad. Ex Brid. =O. affine
var.fastigiatum(Brid):(GS),Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on the
trunk of Abies marocana), slope North, Alt: betwen 1500 m
and 1638m.Forest of Abies marocana+Quercus faginea and
forest of Abies marocana.Jbel Loubar on limestone rock, Alt:
626 m.
*Orthotrichum anomalum Hedw.=O. anomalum var.
saxatile Milde:(GS), Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on the trunk of
Abies marocana), slope North, Alt: 1500m.Forest of Abies
marocana+Quercus faginea.
Orthotrichum cupulatum Brid. =O. cupulatum var.
nudum (Dicks.) Braith:(GS),Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on the
trunk of Quercus faginea), slope North-west, Alt: 1294m.
Forest ofQuercus faginea.
Orthotrichum diaphanum Schrad. Ex Brid:(GS), Jbel
Lekraa, epiphyte (on branches of Quercus faginea),slope
North-west, Alt: 1294m. Forest of Quercus faginea.
Orthotrichum ibericum F. Lara, (Garilleti &
Mazimpaka): (G), Jbel Taloussiste, saxicolous (limestone
rock), slope East, Alt: 1105 m.
Orthotrichum lyeliiHook. & Taylor: (G),JbelLekraa,
epiphyte (on branches and trunk of Quercus faginea), slopes
North and North-west, Alt: betwen 1294m and 1712m.Forest
of Quercus faginea, Abies marocana.
Orthotrichum pallens Bruch ex Brid: (G),Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the branches of Quecus faginea), slope North-
west, Alt: 1294m.Forest of Quecus faginea.
Orthotrichumrupestre Schleich. ex Schwägr: (GS), Jbel
Lekraa, epiphyte, (on branches of Quercus faginea), North-
western exposition, Alt: 1294m.Forest of Quercus
faginea+Abies marocana. Jbel Taloussiste, eastern
exposition, Alt: 1106 m.
Orthotrichumscanicum Grönvall=Ortotrichum
lewinskyae Lara, Garilleti & Mazimpaka:(GS), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the trunk ofAbies marocanaandof Quercus
faginea), Alt: 1294m and 1500m. Forests of Quercus
fagineaand Abies marocana+Quercus faginea.
Orthotrichum schawii Wilson:(G), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the branches of Quercus faginea), Alt: 1294m.
Forest of Quercus faginea.
Orthotrichum speciosum var. speciosum Nees:(GS),Jbel
Lekraa, epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus faginea), slope
North-west, Alt: betwen 1294m and 1500m.Forests of
Quercus faginea and Quecus faginea+Abies marocana.
Orthotrichum tenellum Bruch ex. Brid:(G), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on he trunk of Abies marocana), Alt: 1714m.
Forest of Abies marocana.
Plagiomniacea
*Plagiomnium rostratum (Schrad.) T.J.
Kop Kop =Mnium rostratum Schrad.:(G), Ras-El-Ma,
saxicolouson the pebbles of the cascade (aquatic species),
Alt: 564 m.
Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T.J. Kop. =Mnium
undulatum Hedw: (G), Ras-El-Ma, saxicolouson the pebbles
of cascade (aquatic species), Alt: 564 m.
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275
Polytrichaceae
Polytrichum strictum Menzies exBrid. (Schrader)=
[Polytrichum alpestre Hoppe, Polytrichum juniperium ssp.
Strictum]: (G), Jbel Taloussiste, saxicolous(limestone rock),
slope east, Alt: 1106 m.
Pottiaceae
Barbula convoluta (Hedw.)Frond: (GS), Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on the trunk of Abies marocana), Alt: 1712m.
Forest of Abies marocana. Jbel Akchour, terricolous (sandy
soil), Alt: 516 m.
Barbula sp.:(G), Jbel Taloussiste, saxicolous (limestone
rock), slope east, Alt: 1106m.
Barbula unguiculata Hedw=Barbula apiculata Hedw:
(GS), Jbel Akchour, saxicolous (limestone rock), Alt: 613 m.
Jbel Kelti on limestone rock,lives in association with
Bryumcaespiticium.
Dialytrichia mucronata (Brid.) Broth. =Dialytrichia
brebissonii (Brid.) Limpr: (GS),Jbel Akchour, terricolous
(limestone soil), Alt: 516m. Jbel Taloussiste on sandy soil,
Alt: 1106m.
Didymodon acutus(Brid.) K, Saito=[Barbula acuta
(Brid.) Brid., Barbula gracilis (Schleich.) Schwagr.,
Didymodon rigidulus var. gracilis (Schleich.) R.H. Zander]:
(G), Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte (on the trunk of Abies marocana),
slope North-west, Alt: 1646m. Forest of Abies marocana.
Jbel Kelti on iron riche clay soil, in association with
Timmiella barbiloides.
Didymodon fallax (Hedw.) R.H. Zander= [Barbula
fallax Hedw., Barubua ariatica Baumgartner]: (G), Jbel
Lekraa, epiphyte, (on the branches of Abies marocana), Alt:
1646m. Forest of Abies marocana.
Didymodon luridus Hornsc: (G), Jbel Taloussiste,
saxicolous (limestone rock), slope East, Alt: 1106m.
*Didymodon nicholsonii Culm. =[Barbula nicholsonii
Culm., Didymodon luridus var. nicholsonii (Culm.) Loesk,
Didymodon vinealis var. nicholsonii (culm) R.H Zander]:
(GS), Jbel Lekraa, terricolous (limestonesoil), slope North-
west, Alt: betwen 1500 m and 1635m. Forestsof Abies
marocana+ Quercus faginea and Abies marocana.
*Didymodon rigidulus Hedw. =[Barbula rigidula
(Hedw.) Mitt, Didymodon mamillosus (Crundw.) M.O. Hill,
Trichostomum rigidulum]: (G), Jbel Lekraa, saxicolous
(limestone rock), slope North-west, Alt: 1634m. Forest of
Abies marocana. Jbel Akchour, terricolous (siliceous soil).
Alt: 516m. Jbel Loubar, terricolous (sandy-clay soil), Alt:
590 m.
**Didymodon sinuosus (Mitt.) Delogne=[Barbula
sinuosa (Mitt.) Gravet, Oxystegus sinuosus (Mitt.) Hilp.,
Trichostomum sinuosum (Mitt.) Mull.Hal]:(G), Jbel Lekraa,
terricolous (clay soil), slope North-west, Alt: 1633m. Forest
of Abies marocana.
Didymodon vinealis (Brid) R.H. Zander.=Barbula
vinealis Brid:(G), Jbel Lekraa, terricolous (sandy soil),
saxicolous, slope North-west, Alt: betwen 1112m and
1294m. Forest of Quercus faginea+Abies marocana, lawn.
Jbel Akchour, saxicolous (on siliceous soil and limestone
rock), Alt: 614m. Jbel Taloussiste on limestone rockslope
East, Alt: 1105 m. Jbel Kelti on limestone soil.
**Didymodon umbrosus ( Müll.Hal.) R.H. Zander: (G),
Jbel Taloussiste, saxicolous (limestone rock), slope East,
Alt : 1105 m.
Physcomitrium pyriforme (Hedw.) Bruch &
Schimp =Physcomitrium pyriforme var. langloisii Renauld &
Cardot: (GS), Jbel Akchour, terricolous (clay soil), Alt: 383
m.
Pleurochaete squarrosa (Brid.) Lindb.=Tortella
squarrosa (Brid.) Limpr: (G), Jbel Akchour, terricolous
(siliceous soil), Alt: 516m.
*Stegonia latifolia (Schwagr.): (GS), Jbel Kelti,
saxicolous (limestone rock).
Syntrichia calcicola J.J Amann:(G), Jbel Lekraa,
terricolous(clay soil), northern exposition, Alt: betwen
1501m and 1646m. Forest of Abies marocana+Quercus
faginea.
Syntrichia laevipila (Brid.):(G), Jbel Lekraa, epiphyte
(onapparent roots of Abies marocana), saxicolous (limestone
rock) and terricolous (sandy-clay soil), slope North-west, Alt:
1633m. Forest of Abies marocana. Jbel Loubar on limestone
rock, Alt: 642 m.
Syntrichia mantana (Nees) =[Barbula intermedia
(Brid., A.W.H. Walther & Molendo, Syntrichia intermedia
(Brid.) A.W.H. Wather & Molendo, Tortula intermedia
(Brid.) Berk., Tortula mantana (Nees.) Lindb., Tortula
crinita (De Not), Syntrichia mantana (Nees)]: (G), Jbel
Lekraa, saxicolous (siliceous rock), Alt : 1634m, lives in
association with Tortella tortuosa. Forest of Abies marocana.
Syntrichia princeps (De Not.) Mitt. =Tortula princeps
De Not: (G), Jbel Lekraa, saxicolous (limestone rock), Alt:
1634m, lives in association with Syntrichia ruralis and
Eurhynchium pralongium. Forest of Abies marocana.
Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw)F. Weber & D.
Mohr. =[Tortula ruralis (Hedw.) P.Gaertn., B. Mey. &.
Scherb, Tortula ruralis var. epilosa (Hedw.) F. Weber & D.
Mohr]: (GS), Jbel Lekraa, saxicolous (limestone rock), slope
North-west, Alt: 1163m and 1646 m. lawn, holm oak
matorral, Forest of Abies marocana+Quercus faginea, Forest
of Abies marocana.
Timmiellabarbuloides (Brid.) Mönk:(G),Jbel Lekraa,
saxicolous (limestone rock), Alt: 1000 m. Bab taza,
terricolous (clay soil), Alt: 887m.Lawn. Jbel Akchour on
siliceous-clay rock, (GS), Alt: 613 m. Ras-El-Ma, terricolous
(clay soil), Alt:564m. Jbel Kelti on iron rich clay soil, in
association with Didymodon acutusandon the barley’s field
in the verge of Oued Laou, Alt:30m.
Tortella flavovirens (Bruch.) Broth=[Tortella
flavovirens var. glareicola (A.chr.) Crundw, & Nyholm,
Trichostomum flavovirens Bruch]: (GS), Jbel Lekraa,
terricolous (clay soil), Alt: betwen 887m and 1163m. Lawn.
*Tortella fragilis (Hook. & Wilson) Limpr.=
Trichostomum fragile (Hook. & Wilson)Mull. Hal:(GS), Jbel
Akchour, terricolous (wet clay soil), Alt: 516m.
Tortella humilis (Hedw.)Jenn =Tortella caespitosa
(Schwägr.) Limpr.: (GS), Jbel Akchour, terricolous
(limestone soil), Alt: 516m.
Tortella tortuosa(Hedw.) Limpr.=Trichostomum
tortuosum (Hedw.) Dixon:(G), Jbel Lekraa, saxicolous
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et al.

276
(siliceous rock), slope North and North-west, Alt: betwen
1163m and 1634m.Lawn, green oak matorral, forest of
Quercus faginea, forest of Abies marocana+Quercus
faginea, Forest of Abies marocana. Jbel Kelti on limestone
rock.
Tortula inermis (brid.) Mont =[Barbula inermis (Brid.)
Garov., Syntrichia inermis (Brid.) Bruch.]: (GS), Jbel
Taloussiste, saxicolous (limestone rock), slope East, Alt:
1105 m.
Tortula muralis (Hedw):(GS), Jbel Akchour, saxicolous
(limestone rock), epiphyte (on the trunk of Quercus
rotundifolia), Alt: 613m. Jbel Loubar on clay-sandy soil, Alt:
636 m.
Tortula sp:(GS), Jbel Taloussiste, saxicolous on
limestone rock, slipe East, Alt: 1105 m.
Tortula subulata(Hedw) =Tortula subulata var.
subinermis (Bruch & Schimp.) Wilson.):(GS), Jbel Lekraa,
saxicolous(limestone rock), slope North-west, Alt: betwen
1207m and 1634m. Holm oak matorral, forest of Abies
marocana.
Tortula marginata (Bruche & Schimp.) Spruce
=Desmatodon meridionalis Luisier: (GS),Ras-El-Ma,
terricolous (clay soil), Alt:564m.
*Trichostomum brachydontium Bruch=[Trichostomum
mutabile Bruch., Trichostomum littorale Mitt.]: (G), Jbel
Kelti, saxicolous (limestone rock).
Trichostomum crispulum (Bruch): (G), Jbel Akchour,
terricolous (sandy soil), Alt : 523m. Jbel Kelti on limestone
rockin association with Bartramia pomiformis.
Trichostomum sp.: (G), Jbel Kelti on limestone rock,
Alt: 1600m.
*Trichostomumtenuistre (Hook. & Taylor) Lindb.
=Trichostomum cylindricum (Bruch ex Brid.) Mull.
Hal.: (G), Jbel Lekraa, terricolous (clay soil), Alt: 1633m,
Forest of Abies marocana.
Pterigynandraceae
Pterigyrandium filiforme (Hedw):(G),Jbel Lekraa,
epiphyte (on apparent roots of Abies marocana), slope North-
west,Alt: betwen 1500m and 1633m. Forests of Abies
marocana+Quercus faginea, and ofAbies marocana.
Among the species in this catalogue, we noted a clear
dominance of acrocarpal mosses (79 species) over
pleurocarps (44 species).Most of the taxa inventoried belong
to the family Pottiaceaed of which the totality of the
representatives is made up of acrocarpic mosses affectionate
with the luminous places.This family is already known as
species-rich in the world with nearly 1500 taxa, some of
which tolerate severe drought and strong sun exposure. The
Pottiaceae of the PNTS are represented by 34 species and 14
genera including Didymodon (8 taxa) and Syntrichia (5 taxa),
followed by the family Brachytheciaceae (21 species and 11
genera), Orthotrichaceae (12 species and 1 genus) and
Grimmiaceae (10 species and 3 genera) (Fig. 2).These four
families thus present a specific richness in the site. Ten other
families such as Amblystegiaceae, Grimmiaceae, Bryaceae,
Funariaceae, Fissidentaceae, etc. have a specific number that
varies from two to seven. Thirteen families are monospecific,
among them all the hepatic and the only anthocerote.Indeed,
the class Anthocerote is represented only by one species
Anthocerote punctatos(=Anthoceros crispulus).
Fig. 2: Specific and generic richess of families.
Fig. 3: Specific richness according to the way of life of
Bryophytes.
The ecological conditions of the PNTS offer an
extremely diverse biotope. Bryophytes are harvested from
different types of substrates. Saxicoles seem to be the most
represented with 54 taxa, followed by epiphytes and
terricoles with 33.33% and 32.57% respectively, then supra-
aquatic and aquatic with 9.09% and 5.30% respectively, and
finally some epixyls and muricolous (Fig. 3). There are
species that are found on several types of substrate, such as
Antitrichia californica and Sciuro-hypnum reflexum which
are epiphytic and saxicolous, Timmiella barbiloides which is
terricolous and saxicolous and also Syntrichia laevipela
which is both epiphytic, saxicolous and terricolous, as well as
Marchantia polymorpha which is both terricolous,
muricolous and saxicolous in the same station (Jbel
Akchour).In the aquatic to sub-aquatic environment, 22
species have been recorded, including Cratoneuron filicinum
and Cratoneuron commutatum forming mats on the pebbles
respectively in the cascade of Ras-El-Ma and at Akchour
where they are moderately abundant with IES of 100 and 92
respectively. Among these aquatic species are two taxa,
Fontinalis antipyretica and Platyhypnidium riparoides,
capable of accumulating heavy metals, which are used as
bioindicators of water pollution (Empain, 1973).As far as the
soil is concerned, most of them grow on clay or limestone
soils. The epiphytic bryophytes are mainly installed on
horizontal branches because they retain rainwater or fog or
morning dew water longer, and also on the part of the trunks
that is exposed to the north.
Contribution to the inventory of bryophytes flora of talassemtane national park, north of Morocco

277
Despite the richness of the park in bryophytes, only
Timmiella barbiloides and Lunularia cruciata, respectively a
moss and a liverwort, show significant overlaps in the study
area with variable abundance classes. (Table 2).The
dominance of certain taxa in one station does not mean that
they are dominant throughout the study area, as in the case of
Antitrichia californica, which is widely distributed in the fir
forest of Jbel Lekraa stand where it forms mats on the trunks,
branches and apparent roots of trees, and also on rocks; the
value of the index of abundance is very high (IES=333).This
moss seems to be linked to the forest atmosphere of the fir
forest. On the other hand, the number of very rare species of
bryophytes (IES≤25) has been estimated at nearly 39%, of
which 46 taxa are found in a single station of the site, where
Didymodon sinuosus, Polytrichum strictum, Sphaerocarpos
michelii and Tortula subulata var. graffi are the very scarce
ones (IES=8).
The specific diversity of bryophytes in the stations of
Talassemtane National Park varies from 3 to 62 taxa (Table
2). Jbel Lekraa, which hosts the fir forest, and Jbel akchour,
where the cascade are located, are the two stations where the
most bryophytic species have been observed, 62 and 40 taxa
respectively. This may be due to the humid and cool
conditions maintained by the fir forest and the cascades,
which contribute to the installation of bryophytes on different
types of substrate.In the Oued Laou sation, only three species
were observed, Fissidens incurvus, Mnium sp. and Timmiella
barbiloides, which grow on water-soaked land. The first two
species are moderately abundant with IES=100 and 67
respectively, while Timmiella barbiloides is very rare
(IES=25) (Table 2).At the Jbel Taloussiste station, 28 species
of bryophytes have been inventoried, a number that remains
relatively low. This may be due, firstly, to the station's
bioclimatic conditions, which are relatively dry because it is
exposed to the east, and secondly, to the plant formations that
are mattoralised there, with a dominance of Quercus
rotundifolia and Pistacia lentiscus. It is therefore an
environment that has not favoured the proliferation of
bryophytes. The Ras-Al-Ma station is a frequently visited
place throughout the year. It is subject to strong anthropic
pressure, since the developments that have been carried out
have destroyed a large part of the natural aquatic biotopes. A
low number of bryophytes (17 taxa) have been recorded
there, but their abundance remains moderately abundant to
abundant (Table 2).
The genus Orthotrichum is mainly related to the fir
forest and zeeland of Jbel Lekraa, where 12 species have
been recorded. It is of great ecological importance in the
Mediterranean area, having morpho-functional adaptations
related to the bioclimatic conditions of the area (Lara and
Mazimpaka, 2001). It is an epiphytic-dominant genus, with
the exception of Orthotrichum ibericum, which is saxicolous
and endemic to the Ibero-North African region (Garilleti et
al., 1997a). This species is assigned as a scarce moss in most
of its range (Lara & Mazimpaka, 2001), which was also
proven in this study as Orthotrichum ibericum is only present
in Jbel Taloussiste with an IES of 33. It should also be noted
that O. scanicum (= O. lewinskyae) is endemic to northern
Morocco (Garilleti et al.,1997b) but its abundance is scarce
(IES=42) and is only found in Jbel Lekraa on a few branches
of Zen oak and fir.
The present study highlighted 30 species newly
observed in the Rif region compared to other bryophytic
prospecting work carried out in this area of northern
Morocco (Cano et al., 2000; Draper et al., 2006; Ahayoun et
al., 2013; Laouzazni et al., 2018; Laouzazni et al.,
2020).Also, two new species are identified for the first time
in Morocco compared to the work of Ros et al. (2007),
Ahyoune et al. (2013) and Ros et al. (2013) : Didymodon
sinuosus and Scleropodium obtusifolium belonging
respectively to the family Pottiaceae and Brachyteciaceae.
Scleropodium obtusifolium is a remarkable species as it is
reported for the first time in North Africa compared to the list
of North African bryophytes (Ros et al., 1999; Ros et al.,
2013) and has been identified usingNorth American
bryoflora (FNA). Scleropodium obtusifoliumis not a
Mediterranean species and Didymodon sinuosus is only
mentioned in Egypt (Ros et al., 2013). These two species are
very scarce (Table 1) and collected only in the Jbel Lekraa
station at high altitude (1638 m).
Conclusion
The study of bryoflora in Talassemtane National Park
provided interesting ecological data. The species inventoried
were encountered on different types of substrates, of which
saxicolous seem to be the most represented; epiphytes are
dominant in forest environments such as fir stands. It is an
area rich in species belonging to the genus Orthotricum and
the family Pottiaceae.This first contribution to the PNTS
inventory has made it possible to identify new taxa enriching
the bryophyte flora of Morocco and even that of North
Africa. Most of the species listed are Western Mediterranean
species. It is clear that such a small exhaustiveness of the
plant inventory in the PNTS can only be achieved with more
surveys, given its large surface area and its ecosystem and
plant biodiversity. Thus, new bryophytic inventories should
cover all habitats and territories of the site.
Table 1: Study stations with the main forest formations.
Forest area Study stations Statements Frange altitudinale
(m) Main forest formations
Talambote Akchour 12 350 at700
(Cascade)
Quercus rotundifolia, Pinus
halepensis, Arbutus unedo, Pistacia
lentiscus
Talassemtane Jbel Lekraa 14 858 at2159 Abies maroccana, Quercus faginea
Sidi Abdelhamide Jbel Taloussiste 14 1000 at 2005 Matorral ofQuercus rotundifolia
Jbel Kelti 10 1000 at 1926 Quercus rotundifolia
Bni Hassane Oued Laou 6 131 (River)
Ras-El-Ma 6 564 (Cascade)
Ain Rami Jbel Loubar 6 630 at 780 (Village with cultures)
Jamila Zaza
et al.

278
Table 2: IES values of the taxa inventoried according to the different study stations of the PNTS.
Stations J.Lek J.Akc J.Tal J.Kel J.Lou R.Ma O.Lao B.Taz
Amblystegium tenax 0 100 17 17 0 0 0 0
Amblystegium varium 0 0 67 0 0 0 0 0
Anthocerote punctatos 42 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Antitrichia californica 333 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Antitrichia curtipendila 67 0 33 0 0 0 0 0
Barbula convoluta 17 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Barbula sp. 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0
Barbula unguiculata 0 25 0 83 0 0 0 0
Bartramia pomiformis 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 0
Brachythecium dieckei 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brachythecium plumosum 0 92 33 0 0 0 0 0
Brachythecium rutabulum 0 0 0 50 133 0 0 0
Brachythecium velutinum 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bryum caespiticium 42 0 0 50 0 0 0 67
Bryum donianum 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0
Bryum gemmilucens 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50
Bryum pseudotriquetrum 0 0 0 17 0 83 0 0
Bryum torquescens 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 67
Bryum rubens 0 0 0 0 0 133 0 0
Bryum sp. 0 0 0 0 0 33 0 0
Bryum capillare 33 42 83 0 0 0 0 0
Bryum pallescens 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 50
Ceratodon purpureus 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cratoneuron commutatum 0 92 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cirriphyllum crassinervium 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cratoneuron filicinum 0 50 0 0 33 100 0 0
Dialytrichia mucronata 0 17 50 0 0 0 0 0
Dicranella varia 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0
Dicranoweisia cirrata 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Didymodon acutus 17 0 0 50 0 0 0 0
Didymodon fallax 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Didymodon luridus 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0
Didymodon nicholsonii 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Didymodon rigidulus 25 17 0 0 67 0 0 0
Didymodon sinuosus 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Didymodon vinealis 83 67 75 75 0 0 0 0
Didymoon umbrosus 0 0 42 0 0 0 0 0
Enthostodon muhlenbergii 0 17 0 0 0 50 0 0
Entosthodon attenuates 0 0 33 0 0 0 0 0
Eurhynchium hians 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Eurhynchium praelongum 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Eurhynchium pulchellum 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0
Eurhynchium striatum 0 42 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fissidens dubius 0 33 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fissidens grandifrons 0 42 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fissidens incurvus 0 0 0 17 0 0 100 0
Fontinalis antipyrineca 0 0 0 0 0 83 0 0
Frunallia sp 0 0 0 42 0 0 0 0
Funaria hygrometrica 17 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Funaria pulchella 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fossombronia sp. 0 0 0 67 0 0 0 0
Grimmia arenaria 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0
Grimmia decipiens 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grimmia funalis 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grimmia longirostrie 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grimmia muhlenbeckii 0 0 42 0 0 0 0 0
Grimmia orbicularis 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grimmia pulvinata 108 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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279
Grimmia trichophyla 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Homalia lusitanica 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Homalothecium lutescens 50 0 100 33 0 0 0 0
Homalothecium philippeanum 83 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Homalotheium cericeum 83 0 0 0 133 0 0 0
Hygroamblystegium. tenax 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0
Hypnum cuprissiforme 83 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Isothecium alopecuroides 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Isothecium myosuroides 0 33 0 0 0 100 0 0
Leptodictyum riparium 0 0 0 0 133 0 0 50
Leptodon smithii 33 42 0 58 0 0 0 0
Leskea gracilescens 0 0 0 0 33 0 0 0
Leucodon sciuroies 42 0 75 0 33 0 0 0
Lunularia cruciata 42 167 75 75 0 133 0 67
Marchantia polymorpha 0 75 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mnium sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 67 0
Mnium spinosum 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mnium spinulosum 0 0 0 0 0 83 0 0
Orthotrichum affine 75 0 0 0 100 0 0 0
Orthotrichum anomalum 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum cupulatum 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum diaphanum 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum ibericum 0 0 33 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum lyelii 125 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum pallens 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum rupestre 33 0 50 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum scanicum 42 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum schawii 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum speciosumvar. speciosum
33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Orthotrichum tenellum 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pellia endiviifolia 108 0 0 42 0 0 0 0
Porella platyphylla 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Physcomitrium pyriforme 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Plagiomnium. Rostratum 0 0 0 0 0 83 0 0
Plagiomnium. undulatum 0 0 0 0 0 83 0 0
Platyhypnidium riparoides 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pleurochaete squarrosa 0 58 0 0 0 0 0 0
Polytrichum strictum 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0
Pterigyrandium filiforme 75 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pterogonium gracile 83 0 0 33 0 0 0 0
Ptychostomum moravicum 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Racomitrium aciculare 0 0 0 0 0 33 0 0
Rhizomnium punctatum 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0
Rhynchostegium confertum 0 0 33 0 0 0 0 0
Schistidium crassipilum 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sciuro-hypnum plumosum 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 0
Sciuro–hypnum reflexum 83 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scleropodium obtusifolium 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scleropodium tourtii 58 0 0 25 0 0 0 0
Scorpiurium circinatum 0 33 0 17 0 100 0 0
Sphaerocarpos michelii 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stegonia latifolia 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 0
Syntrichia calcicola 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Syntrichia laevipela 17 0 0 0 100 0 0 0
Syntrichia mantana 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Syntrichia princeps 17 17 33 0 0 0 0 0
Syntrichia ruralis 83 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Targonia hypophylla 0 42 125 100 117 0 0 0
Thamnium alopecurum 0 42 0 0 0 0 0 0
Timmiella barbiloides 25 67 0 108 0 300 25 83

280
Tortella flavovirens 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17
Tortella fragilis 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tortella humilis 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tortella tortuosa 125 0 0 17 0 0 0 0
Tortula inermis 0 0 42 0 0 0 0 0
Tortula muralis 0 42 0 0 100 0 0 0
Tortula subulata var graffi 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0
Tortula. marginata 0 0 0 0 0 150 0 0
Tortula subulata 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trichostomum brachydontium 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 0
Trichostomum crispulum 0 25 0 58 0 0 0 0
Trichostomum sp. 0 0 0 33 0 0 0 0
Trichostomum tenuistre 75 17 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of species/station 62 40 28 25 11 17 3 8
Where, J. Lek: Jbel Lekraa; J. Akc: Jbel Akchour; J. Tal: Jbel Taloussiste; J. Kel: Jbel Kelti; J. Lou: Jbel Loubar; R-M: Ras-El-Ma; O. Lao:
Oued Laou; B. Taz: Bab Taza.
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