Isabel Draper

New national and regional bryophyte records, 33

ub lis he d by M an ey P ub lis hi ng ( c) B rit is h B ry ol og ic al S oc ie ty Bryological Note New national and regional bryophyte records, 33 L T Ellis, H Bednarek-Ochyra, R Ochyra, B Cykowska, M V Dulin, T Ezer, R Kara, J R Flores, G M Suarez, C Garcia, A Martins, C Sergio, R Garilleti, M Kirmaci, E Agcagil, L E Kurbatova, M Lebouvier, B Papp, E Szurdoki, D A Philippov, V Plasek, T Pocs, M Sabovljevic, J Sawicki, M Sim-Sim, P Szucs, A Bidlo, J Vaňa, B Vigalondo, F Lara, I Draper, V M Virchenko, G J Wolski Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK, Laboratory of Bryology, Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland, Institute of Biology, Komi Science Centre UB RAS, Komi, Russia, Nigde University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Nigde, Turkey, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Institucion Miguel Lillo, Tucuman, Argentina, Universidade de Lisboa, Museu Nacional de Historia Natural e da Ciencia, Lisboa, Portugal, Departamento de Botanica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Burjasot, Spain, Adnan Menderes Universitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakultesi, Biyoloji Bolumu, Kepez-Aydin, Turkey, Komarov Botanical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, CNRS UMR 6553, Universite de Rennes 1, France, Botanical Department, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary, 12 I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Water RAS, Nekouz, Russia, Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic, Department of Botany, Eszterhazy Karoly College, Hungary, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Serbia, Department of Botany and Nature Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, Museu Nacional de Historia Natural, Jardim Botânico, Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Forest Site Diagnosis and Classification, University of West Hungary, Sopron, Hungary, Department of Botany, Charles University, Praha, Czech Republic, Departamento de Biologia (Botanica), Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain, Department of Lichenology and Bryology, Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine, Deptartment of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, University of Łodź, Poland

New national and regional bryophyte records, 41

Dicranum spurium has been recorded for the first time in Croatia. In neighbouring countries it is known from Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro (Cortini Pedrotti, 1992 ; Sabovljevic´ et al., 2008 ; Papp et al., 2010). In Hungary, it is treated as VU (vulnerable) (Papp et al., 2010), in Montenegro as DD (data-deficient) (Sabovljevic´ et al., 2004), and further in the Balkans as EN (endangered) in Romania (Stefanut¸ & Goia, 2012). Dicranum spurium was found on Papuk Mountain (northeastern Croatia). Ninety-five per cent of Papuk Mountain is covered by forest vegetation, the yearly mean temperature is between 8 and 11C, and annual precipitation varies between 800 and 1300 mm. Almost the whole of the mountain is protected as a Nature Park. The locality in Svinjarevac where D. spurium occurred is beech forest (Fagus sylvatica L.), unique in Croatia, with a dense cover of Sphagnum quinquefarium (Braithw.) Warnst. on the forest floor. The bedrock is quartzite and gneiss, sloping between 35 and 45, and exposed to the northwest. This Fagus-Sphagnum quinquefarium forest was spread over 2.4 ha., with a poorly developed layer of herbaceous plants. Sphagnum platyphyllum was recorded during an extensive survey of spruce forests throughout Croatia. It was found in Stirovaca, a plateau in the central part of Velebit Mountain. The locality for this first record of S. platyphyllum for Croatia is just near the border of the Northern Velebit National Park (The whole Velebit Mountain is protected as a Nature Park). According to Dull et al. (1999), Sabovljevic (2006), and Sabovljevic et al. (2008), the species has not been recorded from Croatia, although it is known to occur in neighbouring countries: Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia (Cortini Pedrotti, 1992 ; Sabovljevic et al., 2008 ; Papp et al., 2010). In many of these countries, it is red listed: as VU (vulnerable) in Hungary, Slovenia, and Serbia (Martincicc, 1992 ; Sabovljevic et al., 2004 ; Papp et al., 2010) and further in the Balkans as NT (near threatened) in Romania (Stefanut & Goia, 2012). This part of Velebit Mountain is characterized by cool and long winters, with 1900 mm average annual precipitation and an average annual temperature of 3.5C. The natural vegetation consists of beech-fir and spruce forests and some of the forest stands are still primeval. Sphagnum platyphyllum occurred in a wet spruce (Picea abies (L.) H.Karst.) forest, where it grew in dense carpets covering the forest floor and the banks of shallow depressions (ca 100 m2) filled with water. The collection site in Stirovaca is the only known locality for this unique spruce forest community with peat mosses in Croatia. Sphagnum teres was found at two localities in Croatia, in or near the National Park Plitvicka jezera lakes, but in different habitats within the belt of beech-fir forests. The climate is moderately temperate, with 1500 mm annual precipitation and an average temperature of 7.9C. This is the first record of this species for Croatia, although in the neighbouring countries, it is known from Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Serbia, and further to the south-east, in FYR Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece (Papp et al., 2010 ; Sabovljevic et al., 2008). S. teres has been recently recorded as new for Albania (Marka & Sabovljevic, 2011), Bosnia- Herzegovina (Sabovljevic´ et al., 2010) and Montenegro (Martincic, 2006), and is red listed as CR (critically endangered) in Hungary (Papp et al., 2010), and as VU (vulnerable) in Serbia (Sabovljevic et al., 2004). The first locality, Ljeskovacˇke bare, is within the National Park Plitvicka jezera lakes. Here, the species occurred in transitional peat bog belonging to the community Drosero-Caricetum echinatae and occupying an area of ca 1 ha., S. teres was the dominant Sphagnum species. Sphagnum squarrosum Crome, S. palustre L., S. centrale C.E.O.Jensen and S. flexuosum Dozy & Molk. were also relatively abundant. The bog is wet throughout the year, but mostly without open water. Depending on the amount of precipitation, it can be flooded during winter and spring. The bog is not shaded ; it is completely exposed to the sun, but partially overgrown by Molinia coerulea Moench, which is mowed in the management of the Park. Some other species characteristic for this site were Drosera rotundifolia L., Carex echinata Murray, C. lasiocarpa Ehrh., and Menyanthes trifoliata L. The second locality, Vrhovinsko polje, is situated near the eastern border of Plitvicˇka jezera lakes National Park. It is a typical karst field, with the lowest, central part periodically flooded during winter and early spring. It is covered with grassland vegetation of different communities reflecting gradients of water and soil pH. The flora was very rich. In the lowest part of the field were several shallow depressions with a perimeter of 10–20 m overgrown by sedges, mostly Carex vesicaria L. On the edges of these depressions were scattered peat moss hummocks of Sphagnum palustre L., S. capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw., and S. subnitens Russow & Warnst. Among them, S. teres (Schimp.) Angstr. also occured, but in much lower abundance.

A survey of the epiphytic bryophyte flora of the Rif and Tazzeka Mountains (northern Morocco)

Abstract The catalogue of the epiphytic bryophyte flora of the Rif Mountains includes a total of 72 taxa, of which 66 are mosses and six are liverworts. Some new records are provided: Hypnum resupinatum and Tortula israelis, new to northern Africa, Antitrichia curtipendula and Cryphaea heteromalla, new to Morocco, and Dicranoweisia cirrata, Isothecium alopecuroides and Orthotrichum macrocephalum, new to the Rif Mountains. Epiphytic communities in the different forest types have been analysed, with the conclusion that altitude and humidity are the main factors that determine their composition. The epiphytic stratum is best developed at the highest altitudes on the Principal chain and Tazzeka Mountain, where taxa of the genus Orthotrichum dominate or co-dominate the epiphytic communities: O. lyellii and Antitrichia californica co-dominate in the montane zones, while O. speciosum var. brevisetum and Pterigynandrum filiforme co-dominate at the highest altitudes. In lower areas, the abundance of epiphytic bryophytes depends on humidity conditions and the presence of a forest canopy. The best preserved forests, where exposed to oceanic winds, are dominated by hygrophilous taxa, such as Neckera pumila, Cryphaea heteromalla and Frullania dilatata , whereas the dry ones are dominated by thermophilous taxa, such as Orthotrichum tenellum. Finally, ubiquitous species, such as Orthotrichum diaphanum and Bryum capillare, are abundant in disturbed forests.

Epiphytic bryoflora of the Atlas and Antiatlas Mountains, including a synthesis of the distribution of epiphytic bryophytes in Morocco

Abstract The epiphytic bryoflora of the Atlas and Antiatlas Mountains is catalogued, resulting in a list of 65 taxa (63 mosses and 2 liverworts). Twenty-eight new records are reported: four are new to northern Africa, one is new to Morocco and 23 are regional novelties. In addition, a synthesis of the distribution of epiphytes in Morocco is presented, with distributional maps for the main taxa. Five groups of taxa have been established on the basis of their distribution: widely distributed taxa, Rif taxa, Rif and Middle Atlas taxa, Atlas taxa and taxa with localized occurrences. From these distributional patterns, it can be inferred that the occurrence of epiphytic bryophytes is mostly influenced by climatic conditions.

Lewinskya, a New Genus to Accommodate the Phaneroporous and Monoicous Taxa of Orthotrichum (Bryophyta, Orthotrichaceae)

Abstract Molecular analyses have consistently evidenced the phylogenetic heterogeneity of Orthotrichum Hedw., and suggested the need to segregate the species with superficial stomata in a separate genus. A recent proposal has been made to accommodate the monoicous species with such stomata in the genus Dorcadion Adans. ex Lindb., which is, however, an illegitimate name according to the current Code of nomenclature of algae, fungi and plants. Consequently a new name is required, and the generic name Lewinskya F.Lara, Garilleti & Goffinet is proposed. New combinations are made for all the species included in the new genus. Given the long history of the genus Orthotrichum and the similarities between this genus and Lewinskya, the morphological and geographic circumscriptions of both genera are provided to define them accurately. The taxa remaining in Orthotrichum s.str. are also listed.

ITS and morphology tell different histories about the species of the Sciuro-hypnum reflexum complex (Brachytheciaceae, Bryophyta)

Abstract Morphology and ITS relationships are compared for 111 Sciuro-hypnum specimens, 95 of which belong to S. curtum, S. hylotapetum, or the S. reflexum complex. In the latter, S. reflexum is probably ancestral. Within the S. reflexum complex ITS haplotype relationships are congruent with morphology for S. brotheri, S. dovrense, S. glaciale, and S. ornellanum, and support the recognition of the two new species S. sinolatifolium and S. sichuanicum, whereas incongruence occurs for several species. In an ITS haplotype context, S. tromsoeense and S. latifolium are resolved as polyphyletic, and S. altaicum, some specimens of S. oedipodium, and S. curtum–S. starkei intermediates cannot be distinguished from S. reflexum. Sciuro-hypnum fuegianum is molecularly identical and morphologically similar to S. glaciale, and is considered conspecific with the latter. There is no evidence to suggest that ITS a priori is more reliable than morphology, and we therefore suggest that the abundant incongruent patterns reflect either 1) a young age in terms of number of generations in relation to the rate of ITS differentiation and associated incomplete lineage sorting and occasional hybridization events, 2) a faster rate of morphological than ITS evolution, 3) the existence of many lineages that are propagated by selfing, or 4) regional differences in extinction rates during the Pleistocene glaciations. However, additional information is required to decide which of these is/are most important. Finally, S. squarrosum, a morphologically distinct species that molecularly belongs outside the S. reflexum complex, is described as new.

Epiphytic bryophytes in harsh environments: the Juniperus thurifera forests

Abstract The forests of Juniperus thurifera are peculiar ecosystems that typically grow on mountains and highplateaux of the western Mediterranean basin with dry and continental climates. Some previous surveys suggested that these forests house a rather distinctive epiphytic bryophyte flora. Epiphytic bryophyte communities were systematically sampled in 19 representative juniper forests, for the first time spanning all the distribution area of this conifer. The flora consists of 44 species (32 acrocarpous mosses, 10 pleurocarpous mosses and 2 liverworts). Orthotrichum species are the most frequent and abundant in most of the sampled localities, including some uncommon taxa such as Orthotrichum vittii which shows a clear association with J. thurifera. Epiphytic bryophyte communities on this species were highly homogeneous, although they can be arranged into different groups in response to environmental conditions. Typically, the epiphytic communities of the Mediterranean juniper forests comprise a distinct combination of xerophytic taxa that enhances the interest of these ecosystems and provides new fields for their research and conservation.

Sciuro-hypnum tromsoeense (Kaurin & Arnell) Draper & Hedenäs, a distinct species from the European mountains

Abstract Morphological and molecular evidence reveal that Sciuro-hypnum tromsoeense, nowadays considered conspecific with S. starkii, is actually a distinct species that can be distinguished from related species by both gametophytic and sporophytic characters, such as branch shape, stem leaf shape and areolation and seta roughness. An amended description of this moss is presented and its diagnostic characters are discussed. The species grows on moist soil, litter and rocks, and is here confirmed for several boreal and mountainous areas of Europe. In addition, Hypnum reflexum Starke is neotypified in this paper.

Phylogeographic Relationships between the Mosses Exsertotheca intermedia from Macaronesian Islands and Neckera baetica from Southern Glacial Refugia of the Iberian Peninsula

The phylogeographic relationships between the Macaronesian islands and southern glacial refugia of the Iberian Peninsula was studied using molecular markers and two mosses as model species: Exsertotheca intermedia from Macaronesia and the recently described Neckera baetica from the Iberian Peninsula. The new combination Exsertotheca baetica (Guerra) Draper, González-Mancebo, O. Werner, J. Patiño & Ros is proposed for the latter. The genus Neckera has recently undergone considerable systematic and taxonomic changes, but our results show that the European species N. cephalonica and N. pumila belong in Neckera s. stricto.

Comparing three complete mitochondrial genomes of the moss genus Orthotrichum Hedw.

Abstract Here, we present a comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genome of three representatives of Orthotrichum Hedw (Bryophyta): two populations of O. diaphanum and one of the related species, namely O. macrocephalum. Their mitochondrial genomes share the same gene content and gene order, and are furthermore structurally identical to those of other arthrodontous mosses. The mitogenome of the allopatric samples of O. diaphanum differ in 0.1% of their sequence, with protein coding genes holding five mutations, including two non-synonymous changes. The divergence between the mitogenomes of the two species, O. diaphanum and O. macrocephalum, is 0.4%. Within a broader sampling of the Orthotrichaceae, patterns of genome divergence are consistent with phylogenetic relationships.