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- Campylopus brevirameus Dixon (1)
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Field observations of mixed tufts demonstrate that Hpynum cupressiforme s.str. (excl. imponens, jutlandicum, andoi etc.) consists of several different genotypes which are no modifications. Within a study of herbarium material, the specimens were sorted into different phenotypes, for which names were applied from the literature. Within Hypnum cupressiforme, an expression with straight leaves (var. brevisetum Schimp.) was distinguished as well three with hamate leaves (var. uncinulatum Boul., var. cupressiforme and var. plumosum Mart.), which are differentiated by the size, number and form of alar cells and serrate viz. entire leaf tips. Var. subjulaceum is tentatively regarded as alpine variety of Hypnum lacunosum, var, filiforme is regarded as modification based on the oberservation of transitions.
Based upon recent checklists, the moss floras of the Mascarenes (Seychelles, Réunion, Mauritius) is compared. The diversity of species varies much amongst the islands and is lowest in the Seychelles (110 species) but highest in Réunion (366 species), whereas Mauritius has 246 species. Interestingly the young volcanic islands Réunion and Mauritius have much higher species numbers as the Seychelles which were part of the Gondwana continent. The richness of mosses in Réunion is due to the higher altitude (3069m), higher rainfall and the better state of conservation (30% of surface consist of intact forest), whereas the maximum altitude of the other islands hardly exceeds 800 m and most forests are destroyed. The moss flora of the islands have only few species on common and are thus almost not related. All islands have only 33 species in common. The Seychelles, which are situated about 1900 km from Réunion and Mauritius, share only 42 viz. 49 species with the latter. Réunion and Mauritius, which are 170 km away, share only 107 species. This indicates that the factor chance played an important role in the colonization of the islands. Insofar the term “Mascarenes” is a geographical but not a floristic one. The Mascarenes were mainly colonized by species from Africa and Madagascar, but also from SE-Asia und the austral region. The main floristic element is African, which is in contrast to the prevailing trade winds and might indicate that the colonization at least of the young volcanic islands happened during a different wind system in the past.
The Moss Flora of Mauritius
(2009)
The mosses reported from Mauritius were compiled from the literature and are listed with localities and references. Included are collections by the first author made in 2007 on the island. Barbula indica, Campylopus flavicoma, Racopilum ayresii and Ectropothecium chenagonii, Groutiella tomentosa, Schlotheimia ferruginosa and Trichostomum crispulum are reported as new to Mauritius. The list includes 238 species. A short survey of the bryological exploration of the island is given.
An updated list of the mosses of the Inner Seychelles is given based on the previous literature and collections of the first author in 2008. It includes data on the frequency of species as well as distributional data for the individual islands. The moss flora of the islands is characterized. Campylopus brevirameus Dixon is regarded as synonym of C. julaceus ssp. arbogastii (Renauld & Cardot) J.-P.Frahm. Brachymenium dicranoides, Bryum alpinum, Campylopus flaccidus, C. flexuosus, Ectropothecium brachycladulum, E. chenagonii and E. perrotii are reported as new to the Seychelles. Garckea flexuosa, Syrrhopodon involutus and S. prolifer are reported as new to La Digue, Bryum leptospeiron, Brachymenium exile and Calymperes afzelii as new to Praslin.