Susana Fontinha

The genus Plagiochila (Dumort.) Dumort. (Plagiochilaceae, Hepaticophytina) in Madeira Archipelago - Molecular relationships, ecology, and biogeographic affinities

Plagiochila is one of the most frequent bryophyte genera in Madeira, inhabiting almost all habitats of the Madeiran laurel forest (Laurisilva). Results on the biodiversity, ecology and molecular relationships based on nuclear ribosomal ITS1 and ITS2 sequences of all Plagiochila species referred to Madeira Archipelago are summarized with the aims to provide (i) a first molecular confirmation of a species inventory of a bryophyte genus in a specific geographic region and (ii) a bryophyte example for displaying biogeographic affinities of the Madeiran laurel forest. The molecular analyses confirm the presence of nine species in Madeira, which belong to four sections: Plagiochila sect. Arrectae, sect. Rutilantes, sect. Vagae and sect. Plagiochila. Section Arrectae is represented in Madeira by five species, P. bifaria, P. punctata, P. retrorsa, P. spinulosa, and P. stricta. Section Rutilantes is represented by P. exigua and the Macaronesian endemic P. maderensis, which is reported for the first time to Canary Is. The sections Vagae and Plagiochila are represented by a single species each, P. virginica and P. porelloides, respectively. The molecular data indicate strong biogeographic affinities of the Madeiran Plagiochila flora with Central and northern South America, and to a lesser extent with Africa and Continental Europe. The environmental conditions found in Madeira Island, especially

New data on the status of threatened bryophytes of Madeira Island

during interglacials and that on Bermuda the present manifestation of Pireella cymbifolia, for example, is probably no older than the last glacial period. The period of time available for the differentiation of most endemic plants of Bermuda may well be less than 120 Kyr and certainly no more than 400 Kyr. These time constraints must be taken into consideration in any systematic analysis of the flora of Bermuda or the degree of genetic differentiation of any of its elements.

Chemical Composition of the Leaf Oil of Ocotea foetens (Alt.) Benth. et Hook. from Madeira

Abstract The chemical composition of the leaf oil of Ocotea foetens (Alt.) Benth. et Hook. was studied by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-one compounds of the oil were identified, of which ethyl p-coumarate (69.6%) was the major component.

Bryophyte conservation on a North Atlantic hotspot: threatened bryophytes in Madeira and Selvagens Archipelagos (Portugal)

On oceanic islands, the evolution of plants and animals with particular characteristics is favoured due to their isolation, populations normally comprising a large number of unique, endemic species. The Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos are considered biodiversity hotspots, containing an especially rich bryoflora. Due to its characteristically small size, this taxonomic group does not get much attention in conservation programmes. However, these plants are an important component of terrestrial ecosystems, representing a major part of biodiversity and playing a vital role in the ecosystems functioning. As such, the development of the first Red List for Madeira and Selvagens Archipelagos has the potential to guide conservation efforts focused on taxa and habitats where threatened species and endemics are better represented. By applying the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) criteria, recently revised to apply to small islands, it was possible to obtain the percentage of threatened taxa present in the archipelagos (23.6%), and for each habitat type. It was verified that high mountain habitats and the Laurel forest represent areas that host higher percentages of threatened taxa (29.5% and 22.2%). An important result of the present Red List is the identification of hotspots for bryophyte diversity, supporting the definition of reserves/microreserves. The information obtained can also be linked up with the Red Lists of other taxonomic groups to work towards the definition of a more holistic conservation strategy.

Epiphytic bryophyte diversity on Madeira Island: Effects of tree species on bryophyte species richness and composition

Abstract The Madeiran laurel forest (Laurisilva) is a subtropical forest with a very rich bryophyte flora and is considered as one of the most important remnants of the evergreen laurel forest from the Tertiary period. The effect of the laurel forest tree species on the epiphytic bryophyte species richness and composition in Madeira Island was studied in 40 sites. A total of 160 trees, belonging to 19 different tree species were assessed in the laurel forest. For subsequent analyses, we focused on seven tree species, for which at least nine individuals were sampled. A total of 137 trees from 40 sites were thus available for statistical analyses. We recorded 110 epiphytic bryophyte taxa (59 species and one variety of mosses and 50 liverworts). Accumulation curves showed clear differences in bryophyte species richness between the different tree species, with typical laurel forest tree species harboring more bryophytes. Tree species also had highly significant effects on species density (mean species richness per 10 × 20 cm plot), with densities higher on the typical laurel forest trees. This was especially true for the liverworts and the endemics for which Clethra arborea, Laurus novocanariensis, Ocotea foetens and Persea indica exhibited higher species density than the two Erica species and Myrica faya. For mosses species density of the tree species tended to be more similar, only O. foetens showed a higher density and M. faya a lower. Endemic bryophytes were lacking on Erica species and almost lacking on M. faya. Concerning species composition, we found significant effects of the tree species sampled. There was a rather clear gradient from the two Erica species to the typical laurel forest tree species such as L. novocanariensis, O. foetens, and P. indica. An analysis of indicator species revealed ten significant indicator species for the typical laurel forest trees, C. arborea, L. novocanariensis, O. foetens and P. indica. Our results reinforced the importance of the laurel forest of Madeira as a hotspot of epiphytic bryophyte diversity whose species distribution is strongly shaped by the nature of the tree species.

Morphology and distribution of trichomes in two endemic Teucrium species of Macaronesia

Summary The morphology and the distribution of the trichomes on the vegetative and reproductive organs of two endemic Teucrium species of Macaronesia (T. betonicum and T. heterophyllum) were studied by SEM. Both species possess an indumentum constituted by long, morphologically different non-glandu- lar trichomes and three types of glandular ones, differently distributed, depending on the organ studied. The particular distribution of the glandular trichomes on the inner surface of the corolla and on the anther filament seems to be of taxonomical importance.

Leaf Oils of Helichrysum melaleucum Rchb. ex Holl., Oenanthe divaricata (R. Br.) Mabb. and Persea indica (L.) Spreng. from Madeira

Abstract The chemical composition of leaf oils of Helichrysum melaleucum Rchb. ex Holl., Oenanthe divaricata (R. Br.) Mabb. and Persea indica (L.) Spreng. were studied by GC and GC/MS. Twelve compounds of the oil of H. melaleucum were identified of which β-caryophyllene (35.4%) and γ-curcumene (22.3%) were the major components; 36 compounds of the oil of O. divaricata were identified of which β-bisabolene (17.7%), limonene (16.0%) and β-caryophyllene (15.3%) were the major components, while 55 compounds of the oil of P. indica were identified of which (E)-avocadodienofuran (15.3%), (E)-avocadenynofuran (13.2%) and β-caryophyllene (11.0%) were the major components.

New data on Jubula hutchinsiae in Macaronesia, with special reference to Madeira Island

Jubula hutchinsiae (Hook.) Dumort. ssp. hutchinsiae is a highly polymorphic species frequently found in native forests of Atlantic Europe and Macaronesia. The main objective of this study is to contribute to a better knowledge of J. hutchinsiae in the Madeira Archipelago, where two varieties occur: var. integrifolia , the most frequent, and var. hutchinsiae found only in three localities. In Macaronesia J. hutchinsiae var. integrifolia is also common in the Canary Islands, and var. hutchinsiae is rarer in Madeira but more common in the Azores. The morphological study of re- presentative specimens and characters from the gametophyte and sporophyte together with light micrographs were used to support the taxonomic investigation. The differences found between the morphology and distribution of the two varieties of J. hutchinsiae in Macaronesia should be considered and seem to justify taxonomic distinction at the varietal rank. An updated cartography for Madeira Island is presented showing that this species is mainly distributed in the Laurisilva areas.

New national and regional bryophyte records, 52

Circumpolar boreal-montane moss Buxbaumia aphylla is a new species for Croatia. We have found 58 capsules and 12 setae at the three sites: the smallest population (10 specimens) was located at Sokolina ; at the two other sites B. aphylla was more abundant (Svinjarevac: 29 specimens, Konjska smrt: 31 specimens). Ricciocarpos natans is reported from several localities. It was discovered during extensive surveys of the macrophytic vegetation throughout Croatia. Based on our recent findings, the species occurs in northern and eastern Croatia, mostly in backwaters, or areas subject to inundation, of the large rivers Danube, Drava and Mura. According to our observations, the species in Croatia occupies relatively small and rather shallow eutrophic stagnant waters.

Chemical Composition of the Leaf Oil of Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco var. longifolia (O. Kuntze) Kunk. from Madeira

Abstract The chemical composition of the leaf oil of Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco var. longifolia (O. Kuntze) Kunk. was studied by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-six compounds were identified, of which 2-tetradecanone (11.7%), 1,8-cineole (10.0%), α-cadinol (7.7%) and δ-3-carene (6.1%) were the major components.