Maria Privitera

Bryophyte coastal vegetation of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park (S Italy) as a tool for ecosystem assessment

Abstract The bryophyte vegetation of the coastal area of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park has been investigated. The phytosociological study has emphasized the occurrence of many associations of the phytosociological classes Barbuletea unguiculatae, Pleurochaeto squarrosae-Abietinelletea abietinae, Cladonio digitatae-Lepidozietea reptantis, Grimmietea anodontis, and Frullanio dilatatae-Leucodontetea sciuroidis. Among these, Barbuletum convolutae, Didymodonto vinealis-Tortuletum muralis, and Funarietum hygrometricae show a strong human impact. On the contrary, the epiphytic associations (Syntrichietum laevipilae, Leucodonto sciuroidis-Leptodontetum smithii, and Fabronietum pusillae), as well as Tortelletum papillosissimae, Rhynchostegielletum algirianae, Tortello flavovirentis-Trichostometum crispuli, and Rhynchostegietum megapolitani, show a good degree of naturalness and air purity. This is revealed by the bryovegetational analysis based on biological and ecological parameters (life form, ratio St/We, life strategy, sensibility to air pollution and human impact) that can be interpreted to provide useful information about the quality and the health of the environment. Moreover, a new association, Gongylanthetum ericetori, is described here.

The circum-Sicilian islands as important refuge areas for some remarkable bryophytes

Abstract In this paper, the occurrence of some interesting species in the circum‐Sicilian islands Linosa and Pantelleria is reported. The species from Linosa are: Pseudocrossidium obtusulum (Lindb.) H. A. Crum & L. E. Anderson, second report from Sicily and Italy, and Gymnostomum lanceolatum M. J. Cano, Ros & J. Guerra, second report from Sicily and third one from Italy. The species from Pantelleria are: Campylopus brevipilus Bruch & Schimp., which is newly recorded in Sicily and southern Italy, Calymperes erosum Müll. Hal. and Trematodon longicollis Michx., whose range is extended. The occurrence of numerous chorologically significant species at Linosa and Pantelleria contributes to the consideration of these islands as Important Plant Areas.

A synopsis of the Italian bryophyte vegetation

Abstract A compilation of the bryophyte syntaxa known to date from Italy is presented. The 135 associations and 28 subassociations are included in 19 alliances, 42 orders and 12 bryosociological classes. All the syntaxa reported were critically revised from the nomenclatural and syntaxonomical point of view. In the syntaxonomical scheme, for higher phytosociological units (classes, orders and alliances), the ecological features are summarized. The synonyms used in Italy and the characteristic and differential species of each syntaxon are also included. Finally, the distribution of each association and subassociation in the Italian administrative regions is given using the numerical references assigned to the corresponding bibliographic source in References.

New records of arctic montane and alpine mosses from Central Italy

Abstract Some interesting mosses discovered at the Laga Mountains in the central Apennines are reported. Myurella sibirica, a very rare moss in Europe, is rediscovered in Italy after more than one century. Dicranella cerviculata and Dicranum flexicaule, only known from northern Italy, are reported for the first time from Central Italy. Finally, Dicranum polysetum and Pseudoleskea patens are reported as new for the Abruzzo region. Ecological and chorological remarks are given for each species.

Crossidium geheebii (Broth.) Broth. (Musci, Pottiaceae), a new record from Europe

Crossidium geheebii (Broth.) Broth., found in southern Italy, is here reported for the first time in Europe. A description and illustration of the Italian specimens is given, together with notes on its distribution and ecology.

Tortula brevissima Schiffn. (Pottiaceae) found in Italy

Tortula brevissima is recorded for the first time in Italy, where it was collected in S Calabria on badlands; it was previously known from some territories of Middle East and Western Europe. Ecological, phytosociological, chorological remarks are reported.

Additional reports for Italian moss flora

As a result of the study of both recent collections and a review of herbarium specimens, the following taxa are reported for the first time from various Italian regions: Hedwigia stellata Hedenäs, Hedwigia ciliata var. leucophaea Bruch & Schimp., Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. and Ptychostomum compactum Hornsch. var. compactum. The last taxon is new for southern Italy, while the report of Pleurozium schreberi confirms the occurrence of this species in southern Italy after more than half a century. Moreover, Crossidium laxefilamentosum Frey & Kürschner represents the second report of this species from Italy.

Additions to the moss flora of Greece

Abstract Syntrichia sinensis, Ditrichum gracile and Orthotrichum cupulatum var. fuscum are reported from the higher parts of the mountains of Southern — Central Greece, being the first records for the country. Encalypta alpina, Syntrichia papillosissima, and Timmia bavarica, rare in the country, are again recorded in Greece. Ecological and chorological remarks are given for each of the reported species.

Taxonomic remarks on Rhynchostegium strongylense (Bott.) comb. nov., rare endemic from the Mediterranean area

Abstract The new combination Rhynchostegium strongylense is proposed and replaces Barbella strongylensis Bott. The species, described from Stromboli (Aeolian Archipelago), was discovered at Pantelleria and Ischia (S. Italy); the last one represents a new report. Rhynchostegium strongylense is exclusively localized in the fumarole places.

Diversity and spatial patterns of plant communities in volcanic temporary ponds of Sicily (Italy)

Abstract The results of a study on plant community diversity, floristic richness, and spatial patterns in volcanic temporary ponds of Sicily are presented. A total of 166 plots were analyzed, 103 for Etna and 63 for Hyblaean sites. For each plot, the floristic composition and species cover were determined using standard relevé methods. Moreover, for these ponds, pH, conductivity, temperature, rainfall, altitude, and a floristic richness and diversity index were assessed. The plant communities were analyzed using a hierarchical cluster analysis, while the ordination method Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling was used to establish spatial patterns in the scattergram and to generate hypotheses on the vegetation/environment relationships. A total of nine plant communities for Hyblaean and seven for Mount Etna with a specific floristic composition were recognized. The spatial patterns of plant communities mainly followed an ecological gradient related to hydroperiod of the ponds, as well as local topography and human activities. The results show a considerable difference in floristic richness between the two study areas, as well as a different distribution of the life forms. Furthermore, for each study area the floristic richness and diversity index increased from the deep zone towards the shallow zone.