The occurrence of Homalothecium nitens (Hedw.) Robins. in Ireland

Abstract

Eight new localities for Homalothecium nitens (Hedw.) Robins are recorded from north Co. Mayo, Ireland. The first observations of H. nitens in fruit in Ireland are reported.     

Leiocolea rutheana (Limpr.) K. Muell. new to Ireland

Abstract

Leiocolea rutheana is reported new to Ireland. Surface water. chemistry data and species releves are presented and it is suggested that L. rutheana is an addition to the list of Boreal relict species in Ireland.     

Plagiochila atlantica F. Rose,sp. nov.—P. amhagiosa auct.

Abstract

The Irish plant which, following Mitten, has commonly been referred to as Plagiochila ambagiosa Mitt. is specifically different from the type of P. ambagiosa, and is therefore described as Plagiochila atlantica F. Rose, sp. nov. It is now known from very restricted areas in Western Ireland, Western Scotland and North-western France.     

Ephemerum hibernicum sp. nov. (Bryopsida: Ephemeraceae) from Ireland

Abstract

Ephemerum hibernicum sp. nov. is described from inundation zones of two lakes and a river in north-central Ireland and a river in western Ireland. It is most similar to E. crassinervium and E. sessile, but differs from both of these in several characters of the leaves. In particular, papillae on the upper lamina are much lower than in most E. crassinervium, while the leaves are longer and wider than in E. sessile, with a wider lamina towards the leaf apex, less well-defined costa and sometimes with large spinose marginal teeth. Ephemerum hibernicum is a rare species and its specialized habitat merits conservation.     

Leiocolea fitzgeraldiae sp. nov. in Britain and Ireland

Abstract

Leiocolea fitzgeraldiae sp. nov. from Wales, Scotland and Ireland is described and illustrated. Comparisons between it and the related species L. bantriensis and L. alpestris are outlined. Its cytology and habitat preferences are discussed and a distribution map is given.     

Pohlia muyldermansii Wilcz. & Dem. var. pseudomuyldermansii var. nov., a new name for P. muyldermansii Wilcz. & Dem. sensu Lewis & Smith

Abstract

The results of a comparative study of Pohlia muyldermansii from Continental Europe and the British Isles are presented. Two varieties are recognized, var. muyldermansii from Belgium and the Netherlands and var. pseudomuyldermansii var. nov. from Great Britain, Ireland, Austria and Switzerland. P. camptotrachela is reported from Belgium and differences between this species and P. muyldermansii discussed.     

Lectotypification of Bryum moravicum Podp. (Bryopsida: Bryaceae)

Abstract

The occurrence of subspecies pallidicaulis of Fissidens taxifolius in West Scotland and South-West Ireland is reported.     

Genecological notes on Allium schoenoprasum L.

Summary

Ajuga pyramidalis is a polycarpic, perennial herb which is variable in flowering and population size. It has been recorded from over 200 sites in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, one in the Lake District and in twelve coastal sites in Ireland. It grows mainly on circum-neutral soils (pH 4.9–6.9) in open grassland and heathland, and upland rock ledges. It does not appear to be under any particular threat in Britain.     

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.     

Grimmia anomala Schimp., new to Britain and Ireland

Abstract

Grimmia anomala is reported from seven sites in Scotland and Ireland. Confusion in the past with Grimmia hartmanii has meant that this species has been overlooked. Its occurrence in Scandinavia and the Faroes means that its sites in Scotland are not unexpected but the Irish localities for this boreal-montane species are noteworthy.     

An Outline of the Bryophytes of County Laois (Queen's County)

Abstract

Scapania lingulata is reported from five vice-counties in Scotland and from one in Ireland, two gatherings bearing ♂ shoots and one with perianths. It differs from S. scandica in its larger gemmae, from S. praetervisa in its broadly rounded postical leaf lobes, and from both species in its larger leaf cells, more numerous oil bodies and polyploid chromosome complement. Usually it grows on base-deficient earthy banks but also on base-rich rock ledges.     

Factors influencing Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus territory site selection and breeding success

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Our findings regarding Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus territory site selection and breeding success in Ireland offer an opportunity for the development of initiatives and conservation actions aimed at enhancing the suitability of upland areas for breeding Hen Harriers and ensuring the long-term persistence of the species.

Aims: To investigate landscape-scale associations between habitat composition and Hen Harrier territory site selection, and to explore the influence of habitat and climate on breeding success.

Methods: We used multi-model inference from generalized linear models and Euclidean distance analyses to explore the influence of habitat, topographic, anthropogenic and climatic factors on Hen Harrier territory selection and breeding success in Ireland, based on data from national breeding surveys in 2010 and 2015.

Results: Hen Harrier territories were associated with heath/shrub, bog and pre-thicket coniferous forests. Comparisons between territories and randomly generated pseudo-absences (upland and lowland) showed that breeding pairs preferentially select for these habitats. Breeding success was negatively influenced by rainfall early in the breeding season and by climatic instability, and was positively influenced by the presence of heath/shrub and bog.

Conclusions: The results suggest that Hen Harrier breeding success is compromised by the synergistic effects of climate, landscape composition and management. Effective conservation of Hen Harriers in Ireland will therefore rely on landscape-scale initiatives.     

Sphagnum subfulvum Sjörs in Ireland compared with the occurrences in Norway

Abstract

The discovery of Sphagnum subfulvum in Western Ireland is reported and the Irish specimens are described. The habitat of the species at Errisbeg, Co. Galway, is described and compared with the occurrences in Norway. It is concluded that the ecology of S. subfulvum at Errisbeg closely resembles its ecology in Norway where it is an intermediate/rich fen species, and in the ‘mud-bottomto hummock’ vegetational gradient it belongs to lawn and low hummock vegetation. The occurrence of Sphagnum subfulvum on flushed mountain slopesin West Mayo is apparently related to localised basic conditions as indicated by its association with Schoenus nigricans, Anagallis tenella, Selaginella selaginoides and Breutelia chrysocoma. Sphagnum subfulvum is reported from raised bog in Co. Roscommon. Its occurrence in ombrotrophic vegetation is somewhat unexpected but the ombrotrophic vegetation in Western Ireland includes some species which are restricted to minerotrophic vegetation elsewhere.     

Scottish-breeding Greenshanks Tringa nebularia do not migrate far

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks Tringa nebularia migrate largely to Ireland.

Aims: To describe the migration timings and determine the non-breeding areas (staging and wintering areas) of Scottish-breeding Greenshanks.

Methods: Breeding adult Greenshanks were marked with geolocators and/or unique permutations of colour-rings in Sutherland, northern Scotland. Sightings of the colour-ringed birds and data from geolocators on recaptured birds provided information on the migrations and locations of the non-breeding areas.

Results: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks spent the winter mainly in Ireland, with the range also including Wales, southern England and western France. Departure from the breeding grounds, as determined by the geolocators, took place in June and July; the median date for the last day in the breeding area was 16 July. Arrival on the breeding grounds took place in March and April; the median date for the first day back in the breeding area was 7 April. Some birds fed at an estuary close to their territories prior to breeding. There was fidelity to wintering areas, both within and between years. Short-term staging took place during both the southward and northward migrations for some birds, and one bird used the same staging area in different autumns. Members of one pair had separate wintering areas.

Conclusions: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks have a short migration, largely to the coasts of Ireland. The migrations involved short-term staging for some birds.     

Assessment of the global potential distribution of the predatory land planarian Artioposthia triangulata (Dendy) (Tricladida: Terricola) from ecoclimatic data

Abstract

Artioposthia triangulata was originally described from New Zealand in 1895 but was subsequently found to have spread to Northern Ireland in 1963 and Scotland and England in 1965. It is now widespread in both Ireland and Scotland, where it has been shown to reduce earthworm numbers to below detectable levels. Ecoclimatic data were used in the computer program CLIMEX to estimate the potential spread of A. triangulata to Europe and the rest of the world. Results indicated it could establish in agricultural land in most of north‐western Europe, and persist in domestic gardens throughout much of central Europe, east and west North America, Australia, southern South America, and South Africa. It is difficult to assess either the extent to which earthworm numbers and diversity would be decreased or how far the effect of their loss to soil structure, nutrient cycling, or wildlife would be detrimental in these areas.     

Variations in Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle natal dispersal and philopatry across Britain and Ireland

Capsule: Using ring recovery records collected in Britain and Ireland from 1935 to 2015, we investigated philopatry and dispersal in Black Guillemots Cepphus grylle ringed as nestlings and recovered at breeding age during the breeding season. Levels of philopatry and dispersal distance varied between colonies, and were significantly related to latitude, possibly due to differences in ecology between populations. However, an increase in ringing effort is required to allow robust comparisons of these behaviours between colonies.     

Pike (Esox lucius) could have been an exclusive human introduction to Ireland after all: a comment on Pedreschi et al. (2014)

A recent publication (Pedreschi et al., 2014, Journal of Biogeography, 41 , 548–560) casts doubt over the status of pike (Esox lucius) as a non‐native species in Ireland by reporting two distinct genetic groups of pike present: one a human introduction in the Middle Ages, the other hypothesized to result from natural colonization after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). While the existence of two groups is not disputed, the hypothesized natural colonization scenario conflicts with the sequence in which the islands of Britain and Ireland became isolated from Europe after the LGM. An alternative natural colonization scenario raised herein was rejected, leaving an earlier, two‐phase, human introduction of pike from Britain or Europe to Ireland as a realistic alternative hypothesis explaining the results of Pedreschi et al. (2014). This leaves the debates on human introduction versus natural colonization, introduced versus native species status, and pike management in Ireland wide open.     

Distribution and ecology of small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum L.; Scrophulariaceae) in the British Isles

Summary

Melampyrum sylvaticum L. is an annual, hemiparasitic herb which mainly grows in light woodland and on upland ledges in northern Britain and Ireland. Its distribution is poorly known due to confusion with the variable M. pratense. A review of its ecology and distribution has been carried out and it has now been recorded from 83 10-km squares in the British Isles, including three in England and two in Wales; an updated distribution map is given. It is probably declining slowly in the lowlands at the margins of its range due to afforestation, development of dense shade, over-grazing and intensive agriculture.