Contribution to the bryoflora and bryogeography of St. Helena (South Atlantic Ocean)

• Published in: Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution
• Main Author: Müller, Frank
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Magnolia Press 1999
• Subjects: Bryophyta; South Atlantic Ocean; St. Helena
• Online Access: http://www.mapress.com/j/bde/article/view/bde.16.1.12; https://doi.org/10.11646/bde.16.1.12

Results of an evaluation of a collection of bryophytes made by Mr. T. Karisch on St. Helena, comprizing approx. 70 specimens, are presented. Four species (Bryum sauteri, Lophocolea bidentata, Syrrhopodon gaudichaudii, Trichostomum brachydontium) are reported for the first time for St. Helena. Five taxa endemic to St. Helena (Kurzia nemoides, Radula fulvifolia, Tylimanthus anisodontus, Fissidens helenicus, Sematophyllum plumularium) and Dicranella proscripta, which is elsewhere only known from Ascension, have been found probably for the first time this century. A phytogeographical analysis of the bryoflora of St. Helena is presented. Dicranella condensata Aongstr. is regarded as synonymous with Dicranella proscripta (Hornsch.) Mitt. and Rhaphidorrhynchium plumularium (Mitt.) Broth. with Sematophyllum erythrocaulon (Aongstr.) Jaeg.