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Recent literature on bryophytes — 124(2)
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Examination of about one hundred unidentified Colura specimens resulted in new distributional data of eleven uncommon species, C. australiensis, C. bicornis, C. calyptrifolia, C. crispiloba, C. cristata, C. heimii, C. humbertii, C. imperfecta, C. obesa, C. rhynchophora, C. saroltae and a new species of sect. Colura from Madagascar, C. cataractarum.
Frullania dasyueshanensis sp. nov. is described from Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation area and other localities in Taiwan. The new species was collected in mountain rainforests between 2230 and 2650 meter.
It differs from all known Frullania species in Taiwan by its clavate-cylindrical terete perianth and can be clearly distinguished from the similar Frullania bhutanensis S.Hatt. in its overall smaller size, the large size of the lobules compared to the lobes and and the rounded, not appendiculate dorsal base of leaf lobe; Frullania sphaerantha S.Hatt. from India is best distinguished from the new species by smaller lobules compared with the lobes and the widely pyriform perianth with short beak. Frullania sinosphaerantha S.Hatt. et P.J.Lin is considered to be synonymous with Frullania bhutanensis. A key for Asian Frullania species with terete perianths is provided.
During the exploration of the bryoflora of the Philippines one new, propagule bearing species of Pseudotaxiphyllum was discovered. The taxon is described and illustrated as P. annii. The relation to other propagule bearing taxa of the P. pohliaecarpum-complex is discussed. The critical review of recent works on Psuedotaxiphyllum, together with the current study led to a species concept based on propagule morphology, recognizing 6 species in East and Southeast Asia.
Nine species of pleurocarpous mosses viz., Macromitrium moorcroftii (Hook. & Grev.) Schwägr, Macromitrium sulcatum (Hook.) Bird. (Orthotrichaceae); Racopilum orthocarpum Wilson ex Mitt. (Racopilaceae), Pterobryopsis flexipes (Mitt.) M. Fleisch. (Pteropbryaceae), Meteoriopsis ancistrodes (Renauld & Cardot) Broth., Meteoriopsis squarrosa (Hook.) M.Fleisch. (Meteoriaceae); Stereophyllum confusum Ther. (Stereophyllaceae), Ectropothecium buitenzorgii (Bél.) Mitt. and Ectropothecium manii Broth. (Hypnaceae) are collected from different districts and various forests in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, are being new distributional records to Andhra Pradesh.
The Guadeloupe archipelago has a rich bryophyte flora with 633 species, including 19 species reported as endemic to Guadeloupe. However, a critical examination of the types and literature shows that Guadeloupe has only 3 confirmed endemic species, Frullania trigona, Riccardia innovans and Trichosteleum glaucinum. The remaining "endemic" species are not restricted to Guadeloupe or are synonyms. The results of this study confirm the notion that endemism in bryophytes is very low.
Fissidens axilliflorus, so far known from Sri Lanka and Laos, has been discovered in the Western Ghats in India. A description with line drawings, a photo plate and a key to distinguish F. axilliflorus from the similar F. crenulatus are provided.
Bryofloristic studies are growing considerably in the State of Bahia and provide data for a
more accurate knowledge of their diversity. With this perspective, was performed a floristic
survey of bryophytes in a fragment of Dense Ombrophylous Forest, located in the
municipality of Alagoinhas, Bahia. In total, 136 bryophyte samples were collected and 45
species were identified, 16 species belonging to the Marchantiophyta Division and 29
species belonging to the Bryophyta Division. Uncommon species have been found in the
State, and they are Fissidens lindbergii A. Jaeger, Trichosteleum microstegium (Schimp.
ex Besch.) A. Jaeger and Jaegerina scariosa (Lorentz) Arz.
The aim of this study is to investigate the richness and composition of the bryophytes of two Municipal Natural Parks in Amapá, eastern Amazon. Bryophytes were collected in the Arivaldo Gomes Barreto Municipal Natural Park (AGBMNP), Macapá municipality, and Cancão Municipal Natural Park (CMNP), Serra do Navio municipality, in October 2010 and October 2012, respectively. Ten plots of 10 x 10 m were established in each park for sampling, and, in addition, random collections were made, in order to maximize the knowledge on the local bryophyte flora. In total, 53 species were identified in AGBMNP, and 110 species in CMNP. The results shown a lower richness in AGBMNP than in CMNP, which may be related to the own size of each park, the level of conservation, and its localization. In terms of abundance, the neotropical pattern and the species locally rare were most representative in both parks, however, the floristic composition diverged. The AGBMNP is composed mostly by generalist species, while the CMNP by both generalists and shade specialists. The present study recorded 54% of the known bryophyte flora of Amapá, 63 new records for the state and, in addition, three new records for the North region of Brazil.
The concentrations of trace elements in feather moss Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. were used to indicate the relative levels of air pollution by trace elements in Polish national parks. Pleurozium schreberi was collected from nine national parks. The highest concentrations were recorded in the moss samples from the southern and most industrialised part of the country; the lowest from northern and north-eastern Poland. A comparison of data obtained from Polish national parks in the 1970s and 1990s showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of heavy metals. In the linear covariability estimation, the t quantile approach was used for multi-element comparison. A number of positive covariabilities were observed. This is a result of anthropogenic activity and the geochemical characteristics of the local environment, including crust composition to which soil composition is related. The statistical approach of t quantile to study common relationships between element concentrations can be used in the interpretation of biomonitoring research results in similar studies.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Plagiothecium nemorale s.l. and P. succulentum, both belonging to P. sect. Orthophyllum, were considered to be distributed across almost the entire Northern Hemisphere. However, in the mid-twentieth century these taxa were recircumscribed resulting in their exclusion from the North American bryoflora and restricting their distributions to Asia and Europe, and in the case of Plagiothecium nemorale s.l., also North Africa. More recently, it was found that P. nemorale s.l. is a taxonomic complex comprising three distinct species: P. nemorale s.s., P. longisetum, and P. angusticellum. I revised the North American material of P. section Orthophyllum deposited in three herbaria (NY, FH, F) and found that five examined taxa of the section are present in the North America. Two of the species P. angusticellum and P. longisetum, have not been recorded from North America previously, while two others, P. nemorale and P. succulentum, had not been listed in the North American bryoflora for 50 years. One taxon is new for the U.S.A.-P. succulentum f. propaguliferum. Here I provide detailed descriptions of the anatomical and morphological features of the recorded taxa along with photographic documentation of their most important characteristics. I also summarize their known distributions in North America and ecological preferences and provide a key for their identification.
A relative of the African species described by Brotherus as Bryum perspinidens , has been discovered in Guyana with erect capsules and a short inner peristome. The Guyana material is recognized as a new species, and both species are placed in the genus Brachymenium . The characteristics that distinquish the genus are discussed with reference to the Guyana specimens of Brachymenium speciosum .
This article has the objective to overview literature on the topic of the distribution of Malesia mosses which is closely related to tropical forest. This diversity and distribution is an important concern because of the increasing rate of destruction of tropical forests throughout region. Using theoretical literature method, the author summarizes mosses’ wide geographical distribution covering the tropical regions of Asia, the Pacific and Australia. Some types of liverworts do not spread west across the Wallace line. A review of liverworts literature has been conducted but a review specifically on the moss diversity in Melasia region is limited. Thus, this review includes a brief introduction to mosses and then focuses on the following topics; the characteristics of mosses; development of moss plants; classification of moss plants; benefits of moss plants and moss diversity in the Malesia region.
Four species of Fissidens Hedw. viz., Fissidens ganguleei Nork., F. grandifrons Bird., F. incognitis Gangulee. and
F. Jungermanniodes Giff., collected from different localities of Andhra Pradesh are new distributional records for Eastern Ghats
eco-region of India.
Two acrocarpous mosses, Calymperes tahitense and Fissidens rombinsonii, collected from the forests of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh State, are new distributional records to Mainland India.
We surveyed the distribution and diversity of fungi present in moss fairy rings from the South Shetland Islands. In the different islands accessed, the mosses Bartramia patens, Brachythecium austrosalebrosum, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Pohlia nutans, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sanionia uncinata, Syntrichia magellanica, and Syntrichia saxicola were infected with fairy rings. Among them, B. patens, B. pseudotriquetrum, P. nutans, P. alpinum, S. magellanica, and S. saxicola were reported for the first time as species susceptible to infection with fairy rings. From five different fairy ring moss species sampled, we isolated 40 fungal taxa identified as belonging to the genera Alpinaria, Cadophora, Cladosporium, Chalara, Cosmospora, Drechmera, Glarea, Gyoerffyella, Hymenoscyphus, Juncaceicola, Melanodiplodia, Mortierella, Mycosysmbioses, Pseudogymnoascus, Phoma, and Velucrispora. A high level of fungal richness was associated with the infected mosses, and Mortierella was the dominant genus. However, most of the fungi were present as minor components of the fungal assemblages. Among the mosses studied, S. uncinata harboured the greatest fungal diversity. Some fungal taxa present have previously been reported as opportunistic plant pathogens, including Cladosporium sp. and Phoma herbarum. We hypothesize that some of the fungi recovered from fairy ring mosses might represent secondary opportunistic pathogens and contribute to the reduced natural defences of the infected mosses, thus accelerating the dissemination of the pathogenic fairy rings in the Antarctic Peninsula. In addition, the presence of fairy rings on previously unreported moss species suggests that the disease may be becoming more widespread in Antarctica.
Salah satu keanekaragaman flora di Indonesia adalah tumbuhan lumut. Lumut banyak ditemukan di daerah hutan yang beriklim tropis serta memiliki kondisi tanah yang lembap, salah satu hutan yang masih memiliki kondisi tersebut yaitu pegunungan Argopuro. Dusun Sumbercandik Desa Panduman Kabupaten Jember terletak di Kaki Gunung Argopuro. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keanekaragaman tumbuhan lumut dengan mengidentifikasi dan menginventarisasi serta menghitung faktor-faktor abiotik yang mempengaruhi pertumbuhan. Jenis penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kuantitatif dengan teknik purposive sampling dan metode garis berpetak. Hasil penelitian tumbuhan lumut yang ditemukan berjumlah 14 spesies, 12 genus, 11 famili dan 8 ordo dengan 9 divisi Bryophyta dan 5 divisi Marchantiophyta . Tumbuhan yang mendominan yaitu Fissidens schmidii dengan nilai INP 52,60%. Adapun faktor abiotik yang mempengaruhi pertumbuhan tumbuhan lumut diantaranya dengan masing-masing rata-rata suhu 30,8 0 C, kelembapan 57,13%, pH 6,4 dan Intensitas cahaya 79540 lux.
For the first reporting mosses in salt water provisions like estuaries. In our recent field survey on the mosses in mangrove forests at Krishna, Godavari and Brahmani-Baitarani estuaries, India have brought to light two new records in mosses at Brahmani-Baitarani estuary and none at Krishna, Godavari estuaries. The two new recorded mosses are identified as Octoblepharum albidum Hedwig and Taxithelium nepalense Brotherus on the trunks of Cocos and Rhizophora species respectively at Brahmani-Baitarani estuary, Odisha, India. Both the species are very scarcely exists and identified on stressed conditions.
In Russia, mire massif type is the principal structural unit for descriptions of the diversity of regional mire ecosystems of various ranks, vegetation mapping, and decision-making on the use of mires. The classification of mire massifs is based on various criteria and indicators. The botanical-geographical classification of mire massifs of the boreal zone of European Russia is four-tiered, and includes 22 types gathered in groups, subgroups and three classes. For most of the types their characteristic associations and diagnostic species are stated.
The Bryoflora of mountain mires of Sub-Polar Urals within the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District was studied in 2013-2015. The field work was conducted at Mt. Ner-Oika and in the upper course of the Puiva River (64° 27' - 64° 35' N, 59°35' - 59° 46'E). In total, 76 species of mosses were identified in the 24 mires surveyed. Most mosses have specific habitat preferences to different mire types, 5 species were observed almost in all types of mires: Warnstorfia exannulata, Straminergon stramineum, Sanionia uncinata, Pohlia nutans, and Pleurozium schreberi. A significant number of rare moss species were identified among the mires bryoflora (Dicranum laevidens, D. leioneuron, Loeskypnum badium Paludella squarrosa, Philonotis tomentella and others). Two species, Tayloria lingulata and Philonotis serotina were observed in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District for the first time.
A ecologia e a ecofisiologia de briófitas ainda são pouco conhecidas quando comparadas com as de
espermatófitas. No Neotrópico essa lacuna é ainda maior e mais preocupante. É importante entender
as relações desses vegetais, como a ciclagem de nutrientes, retenção hídrica, interações com fungos,
invertebrados e outras plantas. Desta forma, o presente estudo investigou alguns aspectos da
ecofisiologia das briófitas na Floresta Atlântica do Nordeste brasileiro. Foram avaliadas a
morfogênese protonemática e as estratégias reprodutivas de seis espécies de musgos e duas espécies
de hepáticas, e foram estudados a germinação de esporos e o crescimento inicial do musgo
Thamniopsis incurva sob diferentes condições de luz e disponibilidade hídrica. Cápsulas maduras
foram desinfestadas e os esporos distribuídos em meio Knop (líquido e solidificado com ágar
0,4%). Dois padrões gerais foram identificados para musgos/hepáticas: germinação
exospórica/endospórica, protonema filamentoso/ uniestratificado ou globoso e formação do
gametófito folhoso lenta/rápida. Em geral, as espécies apresentaram estratégias que provavelmente
auxiliam a colonização em campo. Nos musgos, verificou-se rápida ramificação do protonema e
larga produção de gametóforos e gemas protonemáticas, enquanto em hepáticas constatou-se rápida
germinação e curta duração do protonema, produzindo diretamente o gametófito jovem. Os esporos
de Thamniopsis incurva perderam rapidamente a viabilidade (aprox. 30 dias). A germinação foi
observada sob fotoperíodo de 12 h e escuro contínuo. Diferentes intensidades e qualidades de luz
não inibiram o crescimento protonemático e a formação de botões gametofíticos, o que indica uma
alta capacidade para colonizar diversos micro-habitats. Por outro lado, a germinação dos esporos, o
crescimento protonemático e o estabelecimento de gametófitos foram reduzidos sob potenciais a
partir de –0,06 MPa. A partir dos dados ecofisiológicos da espécie é sugerido que estratégias para
manutenção e estabelecimento envolvam germinação e crescimento protonemático rápidos, desde
que restritos a micro-habitats submetidos à alta umidade.
Objective: The present study was undertaken to extract and purify α-glucosidase N-linked glycosylation enzyme from moss Hyophilla nymaniana (Fleish.) Menzel. Methods: Frozen protonemal cells were taken for crude enzyme extraction, and the enzyme α-glucosidase was purified from the prepared crude enzyme extract by ammonium sulfate (NH4) 2SO4cipitation, gel filtration and finally on diethylaminoethyl sephadex column chromatography. Results: The final purification step of the enzyme resulted in 35 fold purification with a recovery of 4%. A single protein band of 72±5 kilodalton was seen on 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The physiochemical characterization of the enzyme reveled the enzyme had a wide pH stability range 4-7 with optimum pH 5 while the temperature stability study revealed the enzyme was stable up to 60°C while the optimum temperature of the purified enzyme was 45°C. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by Hg2+ and Ag2+ at 1 mM concentration while Mg2+, K+, and Na+ ions enhanced the enzyme activity at the same concentration. The kinetic study of the enzyme showed Km and Vmax of the enzyme 5.2 mM/ml and 8.6 U/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The wide pH and temperature stability range show its suitability toward industrial application. © 2016, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT Succession progression on an Inselberg, an insular rock with its peculiar microclimate, and vegetation was monitored quarterly for three years. Lichen (Buellia canescens), moss (Achidium acanthophyllum), and succulent monocot (Cyanotis lanata) formed major vegetation on the rock, and the three plants were zero in for study. Quadrat method was use to measure the density of the target plants. Operational succession models accessed. Density cover of B. canescens remained constant throughout the year, while C. lanata and A. acanthophyllum coexist. C. lanata density increased and A. acanthophyllum decreased from March to September, while the A. acanthophyllum and C. lanata decreased from September to December. Measure of pH value of the substrate on the rock in December was significantly higher than any other month (7.3 ± SE 0.12, p < 0.05). Temperature of the substrate increased significantly (39.6 o C ± SE 0.56, p < 0.05) in December. Relative humidity above vegetation on rock surface increased significantly (78.78 ±SE 0.90, p ≤ 0.05) in June and September. B. canescens exhibited inhibition model of succession while the coexisting C. lanata and A. acanthophyllum exhibited facilitation model. Tolerance model was not visible among the rock vegetation. Inselberg was established as indicator of C. lanata and A. acanthophyllum. Keywords: Archidium acanthophyllum, Cyanotis lanata, facilitation model, indicator, inhibition model, inselberg, succession. ________________________________________________
Archidium acanthophylum (Moss) and Cyanotis lanata (Succulent monocot) Succession model: Inselberg Indicators in Southwestern Nigeria. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288995022_Archidium_acanthophylum_Moss_and_Cyanotis_lanata_Succulent_monocot_Succession_model_Inselberg_Indicators_in_Southwestern_Nigeria [accessed Jan 3, 2016].
Sphagnum cuspidatum, reported new for Montana, is disjunct from its main centers of distribution in the midwestern and eastern United States and Canada. The nearest known locations to Montana for this species are Minnesota, Kansas, and Alaska. Sphagnum cuspidatum is known from three sites in Montana.
New combinations in the genus Rosulabryum J.R. Spence are made for 11 species of Bryum Hedw. from South America and Madagascar: Rosulabryum albomarginatum (Cardot ex Thér.) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum appressum (Ren. & Cardot) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum atenense (R.S. Williams) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum aubertii (Schwägr.) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum coloratum (Müll. Hal.) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum duplicatum (Broth.) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum erythrocaulon (Schwägr.) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum longidens (Thér.), J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum mattogrossense (Broth.) J.R. Spence, Rosulabryum puconense (Herzog & Thér.) J.R. Spence, and Rosulabryum spininervium (Broth.) J.R. Spence. The invalid combination Rosulabryum truncorum (Brid.) Ochyra is corrected.
A Cheilolejeunea species with peculiar leaf shape is described from Madagascar, as new to science, which belongs to Sect. Cyrtolejeunea. This encouraged the author to reinvestigate other African members of this section, and to transfer the former described Neurolejeunea breutelii var. africana into the genus of Cheilolejeunea sect. Cyrtolejeunea under the name of Cheilolejeunea shevockii and to re-establish the identity of Cheilolejeunea ulugurica. As a consequence, three species of the ten members of Sect. Cyrtolejeunea occur in Africa, while the genus Neurolejeunea remains restricted only to the Neotropics.
Lopholejeunea (Stephani 1890: 285) is a pantropical genus with 42 species and one variety (Söderström et al., 2016), of which 12 species have been recorded from Madagascar (Marline et al., 2012). During examination of various Lopholejeunea materials from Madagascar, a few nomenclatural changes became necessary. As a result, ten species are accepted for Madagascar: Lopholejeunea borbonica Stephani (1896: 109), L. erugata Thiers (1984: 174), L. eulopha (Taylor 1846: 391.) Schiffner (1893: 129), L. grandicrista Stephani (1893: 34), L. leioptera Sass-Gyarmati (2001: 80), L. lepidoscypha Kiaer et Pearson (Pearson 1892: 5), L. nigricans (Lindenberg in Gottsche et al. 1845: 316) Schiffner (1898: 293), L. onraedtii Vanden Berghen (1984: 452), L. subfusca (Nees 1830: 36) Schiffner (1897: 593) and L. utriculata Stephani (1912: 69).
The vertical distribution of epiphytic bryophytes in European forests are still relatively poorly understood. The aim of the study was to analyse the diversity and vertical zonation of epiphytic mosses and liverworts on selected tree types (Quercus petraea, Betula pendula and Pinus sylvestris) within windthrow areas in the Kampinoski National Park (Central Poland). The investigations were performed in five parts of the trees: the tree base, lower trunk, upper trunk, lower crown, and upper crown. Deciduous trees have more species than pine trees (13 on Quercus and Betula, 8 on Pinus). The type of phorophyte was crucial for the differences in the species composition from the tree base to the upper crown that was observed. The highest richness of bryophytes was recorded on the tree bases, while the lowest was recorded in the upper parts of the crowns. The variability of the habitat conditions in the vertical gradient on the trunk that affected the patterns of the occurrence of species with different ecological preferences was determined using the Ellenberg indicator values. An increase in the value of the light and acidity indicators from the base of the trunk upwards and decreasing tendency in the case of moisture indicator was noted.
Bryophytes are small and structurally simple plants consisting of around 20,000 species distributed in three evolutionary lineages (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts). Bryophytes usually occupy harsh environments where other photosynthetic organisms are little competitive. This capacity is based on the tolerance of bryophytes to adverse environmental factors (particularly desiccation) and their economy in production, which in turn are found on diverse physiological mechanisms and ecological adaptations. One of these mechanisms is the outstanding capacity of bryophytes to produce bioactive compounds with diverse biological functions. In particular, liverworts can synthesize a great variety of terpenoids, and the three bryophyte lineages can produce phenolic derivatives (from simple cinnamic acids to complex flavonoids), alkaloids, and lipids. These compounds, many of them specific, contribute to the development of special smells and flavors and may have both positive (antibiotic, fungicidal, deterrent, herbicidal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic) and negative (allergenic) properties for human beings. Bisbibenzyls and sesquiterpenoid derivatives in liverworts and the diterpenoid derivatives momilactones in mosses are the most relevant compounds. Of particular interest is the recent possibility to use model bryophytes (the moss Physcomitrella patens and the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha) as biotechnological tools (in bioreactors) to produce pharmaceutical substances. Overall, and despite the advances experienced in the past decades, biotechnological substances have only been studied in a relatively small number of bryophyte species, and thus, this discipline has a strong research potential for the future.
During a review of Lophocoleaceae types housed in G in the context of research on the liverworts of New Caledonia, a set of three specimens collected by Louise LeRat in 1909 that were filed as types of Lophocolea pilistipula Steph. (≡ Chiloscyphus pilistipulus (Steph.) J.J.Engel & R.M.Schust.) turned out to be heterogeneous: one of them that was fertile from the Île des Pins corresponds to the protologue as well as Stephani's illustration of this taxon. This material was designated herein as lectotype for Stephani’s C. pilistipula (G00112487). The two other specimens in G, that were collected on Mount Dogny (G00051491, G00051492), are sterile and exhibit some morphological differences from the designated lectotype material, namely the plants are large, with wider stem that have larger and broader leaves with smooth rather than crenulate margins, and that lack trigones. A new fertile collection from Mount Dogny made by the first author was identified as belonging to Chiloscyphus and to be conspecific with the material in G that was collected from Mount Dogny over a century earlier. After reviewing Chiloscyphus species from the geographically close regions, Chiloscyphus parapilistipulus is described as a new species. It closely resembles L. pilistipula but differs from it by its larger size, smooth leaf margins, the dioicous sexuality and the ventro-lateral position of the gynoecia at the apex of short leafless branches.
Ortholog identification inferred by phylogenetic analyses does not always correlate with functional conservation. The recent functional characterization of the C1HDZ transcription factor in the early-diverging land plant Marchantia polymorpha reveals its role in biotic stress responses, contrary to its orthologs in flowering plants.
Key words: bryophilous ascomycetes, bryoparasitism, Ascomycota, Pezizales, Lamprospora seaveri, Bryum argenteum.
Abstract: The occurrence of species of the genera Lamprospora, Neottiella, Octospora, and Octosporopsis in the City of
Hamburg is provided with some notes on interesting species.
This study includes all black alder sites (or stands) in Finland in the natural state from wet black alder swamps to fresh black alder -dominated forests. The material is based on 650 sample plots with complete descriptions of vegetation and ecology studied in altogether 200 black alder sites all over the distribution area (59°47′-66°45′N). The a priori classification of the studied sites is based on field observations during several decades and on DCA-ordination and clustering analysis (Euclidian distance with centroid group averages and the Ward linkage method) using the Finnish "Cajanderian" forest and mire site type classification approach. Based on this material, 14 black alder community types and several variations are described. Half of them are black alder swamps and the rest herb-rich and alluvial forests. Most of them are situated on lake and seashores where new sites are exposed continuously as a result of land elevation. The results of the classification are compared with the phytosociology of several Northern and Central European black alder communities. Ecological factors affecting the formation and development of black alder communities in Finland are also discussed. Many of these environmental factors deviate noticeably from conditions in Central Europe and are reflecting the special features of Finnish black alder swamps and forests. © 2018 Suoseura - Finnish Peatland Society. All rights reserved.
Important morphological characters of some of the rarely occurring Mosses of South India have been described. The species studied are Ditrichum flexicaule var. linifolia var. nov., Dicranum indicum var. lancifolia var. nov., Campylopus linearis var. nilgiriensis var. nov., C. linearis var. albicans var. nov., Fissidens grandifolia sp. nov, F. barbuloides, Barbula athanurensis, B. kalrayensis var keralensis, B. kalrayensis var. lobata, Pottia valparaiensis, different forms of Bryum ramosum, Physcomitrella athanurensis var. linifolia, Physcomitriopsis pygmaea, Pseudoleskaea perfalcata and P. perfalcata var. ovalifolia.
From a large collection of a few hundred Mosses from hill stations of Tamil Nadu and thick forests of Nilgiris hills, more important, rare and interesting taxa of them have been described in this paper with illustrations. The plants studied are Waymouthia barbelloides sp. nov., W. barbelloides var. densifolia var. nov; Pseudotrachypus kothagirianus D.S. var. pinnata var. nov; Aerolindigia barbelloides D.S. var. pterobryopsida var. nov. Cryptoleptodon nervata D.S. var. spathulata var. nov. C. nervata var. himantocladioides var. nov; C. ovata D.S. var. nilgiriensis var. nov. C. himantocladioides D.S. var. lanceolata var. nov; Kanagambigai barbelloides gen. et. sp. nov; Himantocladium grenulosum (Mitt) Fl. var. aerobryoides var. nov; Neckeropsis crinata (Griff.) Fleisch var. thamnobryoides var. nov; Neckera bipinnata sp. nov. Homalia filiformis sp. nov; Homaliadelphus feruginea (Gough) Dix & Varde. var. pulneyensis var. nov; Categonium indicum sp. nov; Pinnatella foreauana (Mitt.) Broth. var. minutifolia var. nov; Handeliobryum himalayanam (Gough) Dix & Varde var. bipinnata var. nov; Thamnobryum fasciculatus (Hedw) I. Sastre and T. keralensis sp. nov.
A total of 24 families with 38 genera and 56 species of mosses were recorded from 15 transects of 50 m x 10 m in three macrohabitat (vegetation) types along a disturbance gradient in the western parts of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, situated in the Western Himalayan mountain range of India. The macrohabitats sampled varied from coniferous forests through Birch-Rhododendron forests to alpine meadows with elevation ranging between 2500 m and 4500 m above mean sea level. A checklist of mosses is provided for the first time for the area. The macrohabitats as well as microhabitats (viz. rock, soil and wood) were compared by the richness and turnover of the moss flora. The microhabitats, rather than altitude, seem to govern the local patterns of abundance and richness of the moss communities. Species, genus and family level diversities (α and β - diversity), were significantly positively correlated with each other. This implies that inventory and periodic monitoring at higher taxonomic levels could save on skill, cost and time. While habitat transformation, deforestation and fires may adversely affect the moss communities, the traditional livestock grazing and collection of fuel wood and fodder seems to have no serious impact.