New national and regional bryophyte records, 37

Abstract

We analyzed the form of the UV-absorption spectra and calculated the bulk UV-absorption capacity of the methanolic extracts (BUVACME) in 15 bryophytes (five liverworts and 10 mosses) from unshaded aquatic habitats of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). BUVACME was obtained as the area under the absorbance curve (AUC) in several ranges of the UV band to allow comparison with the literature data. Both the spectra form and the AUC values depended on the species considered. The spectra showed either no, one or two defined peaks. The peaks were probably due to phenolic derivatives, which could act as both screening compounds and antioxidants. The different AUCs calculated were highly and significantly correlated, and thus it may be unimportant which of these is used. The AUC values of most liverworts were higher than those of most mosses and in particular, the liverworts Noteroclada confluens and Triandrophyllum subtrifidum showed much higher BUVACMEs than those analyzed in any other bryophyte. Thus, the accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds might often increase protection against UV radiation in liverworts, but rarely in mosses. This is in line with the evolutionary differences between these two groups of bryophytes. Except for the two abovementioned liverwort species, BUVACME of aquatic bryophytes from Tierra del Fuego is not particularly different to that found in bryophytes from other zones of the planet.     

New national and regional bryophyte records, 28

Abstract

We are grateful to all those who have sent references for inclusion in this list and will be pleased to learn of any publications we have failed to note. Electronic access to all citations in 'Recent Bryological Literature' from RBL 112, and all citations in 'Recent Literature on Bryophytes' from The Bryologist, are available via W3MOST on the TROPICOS website (http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/mbib.html).     

New national and regional bryophyte records, 31

Abstract

Seasonal patterns in growth and dynamics of 13 epixylic bryophyte species (six liverworts and seven mosses) were studied within permanent plots in the ?ofínský prales old-growth forest in south-eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic. Transparencies were used to record positions and cover of bryophyte colonies within each plot twice a year (in spring and autumn) for periods of 1–4 years. Percentage growth of species populations and growth dynamics of their colonies were analysed in order to identify seasonality in their growth. Establishment of bryophyte colonies and their expansion, as well as pair-wise overgrowth of adjacent colonies of different species were compared in order to identify competitive interactions between bryophyte species. Bryophytes grew faster during the winter season (October–April) than during summer, and the various species did not differ in their percentage growth. The growth dynamics of bryophyte colonies was highly seasonal and the species differed in their dynamics pattern. The expansion and retreat (local extinction) of bryophyte species were greatest in winter, and the stability of colonies was, therefore, higher in summer. Interspecific competition among the species studied appears to be low.     

New national and regional bryophyte records, 32

Abstract

To fully hydrate patches of Crossidium crassinerve in the Mojave Desert, a rain event of at least 2.0 mm was required. When patches were hydrated for at least 3 days, mean daily ambient maximum/minimum temperatures were only 15.6/7.5°C. During the summer, patch temperatures exceeded ambient temperatures, whereas during the cooler months patch temperatures were lower than ambient temperatures, with degree of patch hydration not a factor in patch temperature. During patch hydration, mean surface patch temperature ranged from ?3 to 14°C. With few exceptions, patch hydroperiod (duration of patch hydration) was restricted to the cooler months spanning October to April, with the mean patch hydroperiod (among five patches) ranging from 3.7 to 4.9 days. While the most commonly recorded dry period was <25 days, Crossidium patches experienced longer periods of desiccation on nine occasions, with the longest period being 191 days. During a late winter rain event, patches dried slowly over a period of several days, whereas during a summer rain event, patches dried in as few as 3 h. Over the 4-year period, 248 sporophytes were initiated, with all but four of these from two patches. Only nine of these initiated sporophytes survived to disperse spores, with mortality attributed to embryonic abortion (69%) and capsule herbivory (30%).     

New national and regional bryophyte records, 23

Abstract

We recorded evidence for herbivory in the mosses Hypopterygium tamarisci and Lopidium concinnum in a tropical rainforest (São Paulo State, Brazil). We described this herbivory quantitatively, measured the protein and phenol abundance, and identified potential herbivores in the laboratory. We sampled plants from 10 colonies of each species in the years 2007 and 2008. To quantify herbivory, we used an index of damage (ID), with six categories of injury from 0 (0%) to 5 (50–100%). Air-dried moss samples were weighed (100 mg) and used for protein and phenol detection by the Bradford and Folin-Ciocalteau methods, respectively. The plants were cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions and the identification of herbivores was performed from photographs. Injury was higher in H. tamarisci than in L. concinnum (68% and 38% in 2007 and 35% and 23% in 2008, respectively). H. tamarisci had higher mean ID (1·70 in 2007 and 1·09 in 2008); however, the ID values were low compared with ID values detected in angiosperms from tropical forests. Proteins were more abundant than phenol compounds for both species. H. tamarisci had the highest levels of protein and phenols. The phenol/protein ratios (ph/pt ratio) from H. tamarisci (0·42) and L. concinnum (0·40) were similar to those of other terrestrial plants. No correlation between ID and ph/pt ratio, proteins or phenols was detected. Lepidoptera larvae (Geometridae) and micro-snails (Charopidae) were found feeding mainly on the leaves of these mosses. Thus, H. tamarisci and L. concinnum are food sources for herbivores in the field, mainly as alternative food sources for some small and less mobile herbivores.     

New national and regional bryophyte records, 10

Abstract

The discovery of Paludella squarrosa (Hedw.) Brid., new to Ireland, is reported. This Boreo-arctic Montane species has a relic distribution in western and central Europe and was formerly more widespread. The reasons for its decline and its documented extinction from Britain and the Netherlands in recent times are discussed. The vegetation and ecology of the Irish locality are described. The associated species include Leiocolea rutheana, another Boreal relic species and a second record for Ireland.     

Light and desiccation responses of Weymouthia mollis and W. cochlearifolia,two pendulous rainforest epiphytes from Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

The two species of Weymouthia occur in temperate rainforest in south-east Australia, New Zealand and southern Chile. Weymouthia cochlearifolia forms patches on trunks and branches, but can be pendulous under suitable conditions. Weymouthia mollis is typically of 'pendant' life-form, hanging from twigs and branches in the canopy. Photosynthetic electron flow in W. cochlearifolia reached 95% saturation at 160 μmol m^-2 s^-1 PPFD; corresponding figures for W. mollis ranged from 176 to 307 μmol m^-2 s^-1 PPFD or more. Both species tolerated 30 d desiccation at -41 MPa (74% r. h.) but survived lower humidities less well; W. mollis was the more desiccation tolerant of the two. The fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m recovered rapidly on rewetting. It is suggested that the main desiderata for the pendant life-form are high and reasonably regular precipitation, some shelter from wind, and moderate (but not extreme) shade. These probably cannot be fully met around the year in deciduous forests at higher latitudes.     

New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Gyrinidae, Carabidae, and Dytiscidae

Dineutus assimilis Kirby and Dineutus discolor Aubé of the Family Gyrinidae are newly reported from New Brunswick, Canada. Four species of Carabidae, Agonum (Agonum) piceolum (LeConte), Bembidion (Pseudoperyphus) rufotinctum Chaudoir, Harpalus (Harpalus) opacipennis (Haldeman), and Pterostichus (Melanius) castor Goulet & Bousquet are newly reported from New Brunswick and the Maritime provinces, and one species of Dytiscidae, Liodessus noviaffinis Miller, is newly recorded for the province. Collection, habitat data, and distribution maps are presented for each species.     

New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Megalopodidae and Chrysomelidae

Zeugophora varians Crotch and the family Megalopodidae are newly recorded for New Brunswick, Canada. Twenty-eight species of Chrysomelidae are newly recorded for New Brunswick, including Acalymma gouldi Barber, Altica knabii Blatchley, Altica rosae Woods, Altica woodsi Isely, Bassareus mammifer (Newman), Chrysolina marginata (Linnaeus), Chrysomela laurentia Brown, Crepidodera violacea Melsheimer, Cryptocephalus venustus Fabricius, Neohaemonia melsheimeri (Lacordaire), Neohaemonia nigricornis (Kirby), Pachybrachis bivittatus (Say), Pachybrachis m-nigrum (Melsheimer), Phyllobrotica limbata (Fabricius), Psylliodes affinis (Paykull), Odontota dorsalis (Thunberg), Ophraella communa (LeSage), Ophraella cribrata (LeConte), Ophraella notata (Fabricius), Systena hudsonias (Forster), Tricholochmaea ribicola (Brown), and Tricholochmaea rufosanguinea (Say), which are also newly recorded for the Maritime provinces. Collection data, habitat data, and distribution maps are presented for all these species.     

New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Mordellidae and Ripiphoridae

Eleven species of Mordellidae are newly recorded for New Brunswick, Canada. Six of these, Falsomordellistena discolor (Melsheimer), Falsomordellistena pubescens (Fabricius), Mordellistena ornata (Melsheimer), Mordellaria undulata (Melsheimer), Tomoxia inclusa LeConte, and Yakuhananomia bidentata (Say)are new for the Maritime provinces. Falsomordellistena pubescens is new to Canada. Pelecotoma flavipes Melsheimer (family Ripiphoridae) is reported for the first time for New Brunswick and the Maritime provinces. Collection and habitat data are presented for all these species.     

New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Dryopidae, Elmidae, Psephenidae, and Ptilodactylidae

We report five new species records for New Brunswick, Canada from the Coleoptera families Dryopidae, Elimidae, Psephenidae, and Ptilodactylidae. Dryops viennensis (Heer) (Dryopidae) and Promoresia elegans (LeConte) (Elmidae) are added to the faunal list for New Brunswick and the Maritime provinces. Two Psephenidae species, Ectopria nervosa (Melsheimer) and Ectopria thoracica (Ziegler) are reported for the first time for New Brunswick, and the latter species is also new for the Maritime provinces. Anchytarsus bicolor (Melsheimer) and the family Ptilodactylidae are newly recorded for New Brunswick and the Maritime provinces. Collection, habitat data, and distribution maps are presented for all of these species.