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Polar Record

Table of Contents - 2008 - Volume 44, Issue 02  

Research Article

Mosses of sub-Antarctic Heard Island: an updated list and discussion of their distribution

P.M. Selkirka1, J.P. Whinama2, A.J. Downinga3 and M.L. Skotnickia4

a1 Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia

a2 Biodiversity Conservation Branch, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia

a3 Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia

a4 Ecosystems Dynamics Group, Research School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Advanced Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

ABSTRACT

During an early summer visit in 2000, mosses were collected from sites around Heard Island. Three species, Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum (Hedw.) P.C.Chen, Philonotis cf. tenuis (Taylor) Reichardt and Syntrichia filaris (Müll.Hall) R.H. Zander have been added to the list of moss species known from the island, bringing the total to 40 moss taxa. Syntrichia anderssonii (abcngström) R.H. Zander was found with sporophytes, whereas previously its sporophytes were known in the sub-Antarctic only from Macquarie Island. Extensions of range on Heard Island have been recorded for several species. There are few geographical differences in species composition between locations around the island, provided appropriate habitats exist.

(Received July 2006)