Zygodon gracilis

Last updated

Zygodon gracilis
Zygodon gracilis Wilson.jpg
Herbarium specimen the Natural History Museum in London
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Bryophyta
Class: Bryopsida
Subclass: Bryidae
Order: Orthotrichales
Family: Orthotrichaceae
Genus: Zygodon
Species:
Z. gracilis
Binomial name
Zygodon gracilis
Wilson

Zygodon gracilis, the slender yokemoss, [1] is a moss species in the genus Zygodon . It is a rare lithophyte found to only grow on certain localities of limestone outcrops that has high calcium carbonate content. [2] The current global conservation status of Z. gracilis is considered to be "imperiled". [3]

Contents

Morphology

Zygodon gracilis is a dioicous, acrocarpus moss that grows in turfs of around 5 cm tall. [4] The squarrose, lanceolate leaves bends away from the stem when moist and becomes contorted when dry. [4] The leaves have distinctive toothed margins near the apex that sets it apart from other Zygodon species. [5] Newer leaves appear dull green that become reddish-brown lower down in the shoot. Sporophytes are very rare and have only been documented twice, both in England in 1866 and most recently in 2002. [6] The species do not exhibit any specialized asexual reproductive structures in the wild. [4]

Distribution

Europe

The species is found in temperate regions of Europe, with scattered populations in the Alps, Carpathian Mountains, and England. [7] In England, the remaining colonies of Zygodon gracilis is restricted to a hectad in Yorkshire Dales National Park. [7]

North America

In North America, there is only a single population of Zygodon gracilis located in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Having been only observed in this one locality, this one population continues growing by clonal reproduction.

The disjunction in the Europe-North American distribution pattern is likely the result of the separation of the Laurasia landmass from 200 million years ago. [8]

Habitat

The species has only been found to grow on dry limestone, either pure limestone outcrops or stone walls made out of carboniferous limestone. Moreover, the rock surface must face north or northwest such that it can intercept mist and rainwater. [7]

Conservation status

Zygodon gracilis has been given a global conservation rank of "imperiled" (G2). This indicates that the numerous physiological and environmental requirements puts the population at high risk of becoming extinct. [9]

Since it was first discovered in England, the average winter temperatures has increased by 0.5 °C. [7] Over time, the populations at lower elevation has gone extinct with only populations at higher elevations remaining. [7] The male and female colonies present in England are also observed to be very spatially segregated, resulting in the rarity of sexual reproductive structure. [7] The combination of a narrow habitat range and a lack of dispersal methods make current populations very sensitive to the effects of climate change.

In Canada, the species is classified by the COSEWIC as endangered. The most immediate threat to the single colony in Haida Gwaii are the spreading vegetation nearby that is changing the local microclimate. The expansion of nearby tree canopy increases shading and humidity of the cliff face, which leads to an overgrowth of lichen and cyanobacteria amongst the population.

Related Research Articles

<i>Schistostega</i> Monotypic genus of haplolepideous mosses

Schistostega pennata, also called goblin gold, Dragon's gold,luminous moss or luminescent moss, is a haplolepideous moss (Dicranidae) known for its glowing appearance in dark places. It is the only member of the family Schistostegaceae.

Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum, commonly known as Scottish beardmoss, is a moss endemic to Scotland. Recognised as a distinct species in 1982, it had been collected occasionally from 1891 onwards under other names. The largest populations are in the Breadalbane mountains including Ben Lawers with smaller populations in mainland Lochaber and on the islands of Skye and Rùm. It has a very restricted habitat, growing only on damp montane schist or basalt ledges. The species has been provisionally classified as Low Risk and receives protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Pohlia scotica, commonly known as Scottish threadmoss, is a moss endemic to Scotland. The earliest records date to 1964 and this moss was recognised as a distinct species in 1982. The largest populations are in Argyll with smaller populations in Dunbartonshire and Easter Ross. Its favoured habitat is silt, sand and gravel subject to regular inundation. The species has been provisionally classified as Lower Risk and receives protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

<i>Pellia epiphylla</i> Species of liverworts in the family Pelliaceae

Pellia epiphylla is a species of thallose liverwort. It occurs in North America, Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia. It grows in patches in damp, sheltered places on neutral or acidic substrates. It is common on the banks of rivers, streams and ditches and also grows in wet woodland, marshes and on wet rocks.

<i>Sphagnum palustre</i> Species of moss

Sphagnum palustre, the prairie sphagnum or blunt-leaved bogmoss, is a species of peat moss from the genus Sphagnum, in the family Sphagnaceae. Like other mosses of this type it can soak up water up to the 30-fold amount of its own dry weight thanks to its elastic spiral fibers. S. palustre is rather frequent and is spread almost all over the world. It mainly grows in wet forests and—compared to other specimens of this genus—rarely grows in moors.

<i>Bartramia pomiformis</i> Species of moss

Bartramia pomiformis, the common apple-moss, is a species of moss in the Bartramiaceae family. It is typically green or glaucous in hue, although sometimes it can appear yellowish. The stems extend from a half cm to 8 cm, with narrowly lanceolate to linear-lanceolate leaves 4 - 9 mm long. The leaves have a nerve and are toothed. They are curled when dry but stick out when moist.

<i>Calliergon cordifolium</i> Species of moss

Calliergon cordifolium is a species of moss in the Calliergonaceae family, commonly known as the calliergon moss or heart-leaved spearmoss. The species is abundant in the right habitat, and grows in marshes and wet woodland, especially woodland of alder (Alnus) or willow (Salix), as well as around streams, ditches and pools. The species grows in tufts among other moss species. Calliergon cordifolium requires a wet environment to grow, and often grows completely submerged in water. It typically prefers lowland, but has been recorded as high as 910 metres (1,000 yd) above sea level in Inverness, Scotland. The species has a circumpolar Boreo-temperate distribution. It is found throughout Europe. It has been recorded in north and central Asia, as well as Turkey and Japan, throughout North America and in New Zealand.

<i>Conocephalum conicum</i> Species of liverwort

Conocephalum conicum, also known as the great scented liverwort or snakeskin liverwort, is a liverwort species in the genus Conocephalum. C. conicum is part of the Conocephalum conicum complex, which includes several cryptic species. The name C. conicum refers to the cone-shaped archegoniaphore, which bear sporangia.

Petalophyllum ralfsii, the petalwort, is a liverwort of the order Fossombroniales. It is a small green bryophyte that occurs in the Mediterranean region as far east as Turkey, and along the Atlantic coast of Europe as far as northwest Scotland. It grows primarily on moist sand dunes.

<i>Bazzania trilobata</i> Species of liverwort

Bazzania trilobata, the greater whipwort or threelobed bazzania, is a species of liverwort in the Lepidoziaceae family. It grows in the northern hemisphere temperate zone.

<i>Sphagnum fuscum</i> Species of moss

Sphagnum fuscum, the rusty bogmoss or rusty peat moss, is a peat moss found commonly in Norway and Sweden, and can be found scattered across North America, the United Kingdom, and in southern to eastern Europe.

<i>Mylia taylorii</i> Species of liverwort

Mylia taylorii, or Taylor's flapwort, is a species of leafy liverwort.

<i>Racomitrium lanuginosum</i> Species of moss

Racomitrium lanuginosum is a widespread species of moss found in montane and arctic tundra, the genus Racomitrium is found across the Northern and Southern hemispheres., however Racomitrium lanuginosum is only found in the Northern hemisphere. It grows as large mats on exposed rock and in boulder scree, particularly on acidic rocks. Its leaves have a characteristically decurrent and toothed hair-point, which gives rise to its regional common names woolly fringemoss, hoary rock-moss and woolly moss.

Ditrichum cornubicum, commonly known as the Cornish path-moss, is a moss endemic to Cornwall, United Kingdom. First discovered in 1963, on a roadside west of Lanner, Cornwall by Jean Paton, it has since been found in two other places within Cornwall. It was published as new to science in 1976.

<i>Sphagnum fimbriatum</i> Species of moss

Sphagnum fimbriatum, the fringed bogmoss, is a slender Sphagnum moss.

<i>Metzgeria furcata</i> Species of liverwort

Metzgeria furcata, the forked veilwort, is a frequent liverwort growing on the bark of a wide range of tree and shrub species and occasionally on rocks. It is a slim, translucent thallose liverwort forming yellow-green mats of branches about 1mm wide.

<i>Marchesinia mackaii</i> Species of liverwort

Marchesinia mackaii, or MacKay's pouncewort, is a species of leafy liverwort.

<i>Andreaea rothii</i> Species of moss

Andreaea rothii, or Roth's andreaea moss, is a species of moss in the family Andreaeaceae native to North America and parts of Europe. This plant was described in 1807 by Weber and Mohr.

<i>Polytrichum piliferum</i> Species of moss

Polytrichum piliferum, the bristly haircap, is an evergreen perennial species of moss in the family Polytrichaceae. The bristly haircap moss is small-sized to medium-sized and forms loose tufts with wine-reddish stems. It is an acrocarpous moss that appears bluish-green to grey. This moss grows in clumps on erect shoots and becomes a red-brown colour as it grows older. The most distinguishing feature of P. piliferum is the long, white awn at the tips of the leaves, which also give this moss its grey colour. It is the only species in its genus where the awn is completely hyaline.

<i>Sphagnum contortum</i> Species of moss

Sphagnum contortum is a species of moss reported in North America and Europe. NatureServe marked its global conservation status as Secure.

References

  1. ↑ Edwards, Sean R. (2012). English Names for British Bryophytes. British Bryological Society Special Volume. Vol. 5 (4 ed.). Wootton, Northampton: British Bryological Society. ISBN   978-0-9561310-2-7. ISSN   0268-8034.
  2. ↑ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2020-09-15). "Slender Yoke-moss (Zygodon gracilis): COSEWIC assessment and status report 2019". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  3. ↑ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  4. 1 2 3 "Zygodon gracilis in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  5. ↑ Atherton, Ian; Bosanquet, Sam; Lawley, Mark (2010). Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland a field guide. British Bryological Society. p. 645. ISBN   978-0-9561310-1-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Blockeel, T.L.; Bosanquet, S.D.S.; Hill, M.O.; Preston, C.D. (2014). Atlas of British & Irish Bryophytes: Volume 2. British Bryological Society. p. 265. ISBN   978-1-874357-66-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Porley, Ron (2013-07-21). England's Rare Mosses and Liverworts: Their History, Ecology, and Conservation. Princeton University Press. pp. 197–198. doi:10.1515/9781400846917.150. ISBN   978-1-4008-4691-7.
  8. ↑ Schofield, W. B. (1988-11-01). "Bryophyte disjunctions in the Northern Hemisphere: Europe and North America*". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 98 (3): 211–224. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1988.tb02425.x. ISSN   0024-4074.
  9. ↑ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.