Open Access

Jan-Peter Frahm

• In the past, many bryophyte species were regarded as endemic to the Alps. Herzog listed more than 70 examples. Many of them are micro-endemisms or merely alpine forms of other species (Leptodontium styriacum) and not of taxanomic value, or considered as relics from the last interglacial period, although the Alps were covered by glaciers during the last ice age, which made a survival almost impossible, especially for forest species and epiphytes. Several of these species turned out to occur as well in Asia (Distichophyllum carinatum) or were described from there under a different name (Tayloria rudolphiana as T. delavayi). So far, one important species, Brotherella lorentziana, remained unsolved. A recent study revealed that this species is present in Asia, where it is known as B. henonii. At the present state of knowledge, five species namely Herbertus sendtneri, Riccia breidleri, Barbula bicolor, Marsupella ramosa and Trochobryum carniolicum must still be considered as endemic.