The present compilation of moss flora of India revealed the occurrence of total 1578 species of mosses which belong to 21 orders, under 66 families and 328 genera. Out of these 897 retained their valid status, while 437 species are now considered as synonym and status of 244 species is still unresolved i.e. doubtful name. 130 taxa have been reported as endemic to India.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
Geology, Climate and Vegetation of India
Types of Vegetation
Distribution of Mosses in India
2. Methodology
3. List of Taxa:
ORDER: TAKAKIALES
1. Family: Takakiaceae S. Hatt. & Inoue.
Takakia S. Hatt. & Inoue (1)
4. ORDER: ANDREAEALES LIMPR.
2. Family: Andreaeaceae Dum.
Andreaea Hedw. (6)
5. 3. ORDER:ARCHIDIALES LIMPR.
Family: Archidiaceae Schimp.
Archidium Brid. (4)
6. ORDER:BRYALES LIMPR.
4. Family: Bryaceae Schwägr.: Anomobryum Schimp. (13); Brachymenium Schwägr (22); Bryum Hedw. (50); Mielichhobryum J. P. Srivast. (4); Mniobryum Limpr. (2); Plagiobryum Lindb.(2); Rhodobryum (Schimp.) Hampe (5).
5. Family: Mniaceae Schwägr.: Epipterygium Lindb. (1); Leptobryum (Bruch & Schimp.) Wilson (1); Mielichhoferia Nees & Hornsch. (7); Mnium Hedw. (25); Orthomniopsis Broth. (1); Orthomnion (Mitt.) Broth. (1); Pohlia Hedw. (13); Plagiomnium T. J. Kop. (1).
6. Family: Aulacomniaceae Schimp.: Aulocomnium Schwägr. (3).
7. Family : Bartramiaceae Schwägr.: Anacolia Schimp. (1); Bartramia Hedw. (9); Bartramidula Bruch & Schimp.(4); Breutelia Bruch. & Schimp.(3); Conostomum Sw. in Web. & Mohr (1); Fleischerobryum Loesk. (2); Philonotis Brid. (22); Plagiopus Brid.(1).
7. ORDER: DICRANALES H. PHILIB. & M. FLEISCH.
8. Family: Fissidentaceae Schimp.: Fissidens Hedw. (72); Octogonella Dixon (1); Rhachithecium Jolis (2)
9. Family: Rhabdoweisiaceae Limpr.: Amphidium Schimp. (1); Cynodontium Schimp. (1); Oreoweisia (Bruch & Schimp.) De Not. (2); Rhabdoweisia Bruch & Schimp. (2.)
10. Family: Dicranaceae Schimp.: Atractylocarpus Mitt. (2); Aongstroemia Bruch & Schimp. (1); Brothera Müll. Hal. (3); Campylopodiella Cardot (2); Campylopodium (Müll. Hal.) Besch. (3); Campylopus Brid. (34); Dicranella (Müll. Hal.) Schimp. (7); Dicranodontium Bruch & Schimp. (12); Dicranoloma (Renauld) Renauld (3); Dicranoweisia Lindb. & Mild.(5); Dicranum Hedw. (11); Holomitrium Brid. (1); Leucoloma Brid. (9); Microcampylopus (Müll. Hal.) Fleisch. (1); Microdus Schimp.(2); Mitrobryum H. Rob.(1); Oncophorus (Brid.) Brid. (3); Oreas Brid. (1); Orthodicranum (Bruch & Schimp.) Loesk. (1); Paraleucobryum (Limpr.) Loesk. (2); Symblepharis Mont.(2); Trematodon Michx. (10).
11. Family: Ditrichaceae Limpr.: Ceratodon Brid. (2); Distichium Bruch & Schimp. (2); Ditrichopsis Broth. (1); Ditrichum Hampe (13); Garckea C. Muell. (1); Saelania Lindb.(1).
12. Family: Leucobryaceae Schimp.: Leucobryum Hampe (11); Ochrobryum Mitt. (2); Pleuridiella Robins (1).; Thiemea C. Muell. (1).
13. Family: Erpodiaceae Broth.: Aulacopilum Wilson (1); Erpodium (Brid.) Brid. (2); Solmsiella C. Muell. (2).
8. ORDER: DIPHYSCIALES M. FLEISCH.
14. Family: Diphysciaceae M. Fleisch.: Diphyscium D. Mohr (1)
9. ORDER: ENCALYPTALES DIXON
15. Family: Encalyptaceae Schimp.: Encalypta Hedw. (6).
10. ORDER: FUNARIALES M. FLEISCH.
16. Family: Funariaceae Schwägr.: Entosthodon Schwägr. (9); Funaria Hedw. (12); Physcomitrium (Brid.) Brid. (8).
11. ORDER: GRIMMIALES M. FLEISCH.
17. Family: Grimmiaceae Arn.: Coscinodon Spreng. (1); Grimmia Hedw. (16); Racomitrium Brid.; Schistidium Brid.;
18. Family: Ptychomitriaceae Schimp.: Ptychomitrium Fuernr.(3).
19. Family: Drummondiaceae (Vitt) Goffn. comb. nov.: Drummondia Hook. in Drum. (3).
12. ORDER:ORTHOTRICHALES DIXON
20. Family: Orthotrichaceae Arn.: Desmotheca Lindb. (1); Groutiella (1); Macrocoma (Müll. Hal.) Grout (1); Macromitrium Brid. (9); Orthotrichum Hedw. (19); Schlotheimia Brid.(1).
13. ORDER: HEDWIGIALES OCHYRA
21. Family: Hedwigiaceae Schimp.: Braunia Bruch & Schimp. (3); Hedwigia P. Beauv. (1); Hedwigidium Bruch & Schimp. (1); Kashyapia R. S. Chopra (1).
14. ORDER: HOOKERIALES M. FLEISCH
22. Family: Daltoniaceae Schimp.: Actinodontium Schwaegr. (1); Daltonia Hook. & Taylor (13).
23. Family: Hookeriaceae Schimp.: Dendrocyathophorum Dixon (2); Distichophyllum Dozy & Molk. (10); Eriopus C. Muell. (1); Hookeria J.E. Sm. (1); Hookeriopsis (Besch.) A. Jaeger (2).
24. Family: Leucomiaceae Broth.: Leucomium Mitt. (2).
25. Family Pilotrichaceae Kindb.: Callicostella (Müll. Hal.) Mitt. (1); Lepidopilidium (Müll. Hal.) Broth. (1).
15. ORDER:HYPNALES (M. FLEISCH.) W. R. BUCK & VITT
26. Family: Ambystegiaceae G. Roth.: Amblystegium Schimp. (1).
27. Family: Campyliaceae (Kanda) W. R. Buck: Calliergon (Sull.) Kindb. (1)
28. Family: Cryphaeaceae Schimp. (1) : Dendropogonella Britt; (1) Hydrocryphaea Dixon (1); Pilotrichopsis Besch. (2); Schoenobryum Doz. & Molk. (2); Sphaerotheciella Fleisch. (1).
29. Family: Thuidiaceae Schimp.: Abietinella Müll. Hal. (2); Actinothuidium (Besch.) Broth. (2); Claopodium (Lesq. & Jam.) Ren. & Cardot. (4); Haplocladium (Müll. Hal.) Müll. Hal. (7); Myurella Bruch & Schimp. (1); Pelekium Mitt. (2); Thuidium Bruch & Schimp. (21)
30. Family: Hypnaceae Schimp.: Bryosedgwickia Cardot & Dixon (4); Calliergonella Loeske (1); Ctenidium (Schimp.) Mitt. (1); Ectropothecium Mitt. (16); Gollania Broth. (3); Hageniella Broth. (3); Homomallium (Schimp.) Loeske (2); Hypnum Hedw. (9); Isopterygiopsis Iwats. (1); Isopterygium Mitt. (20); Leiodontium Broth. (2); Macrothamniella M. Fleisch. (1); Mittenothamnium Henn. (1); Nanothecium Dixon & P. de la Varde(1); Orthothecium Schimp. (1); Platydictya Berk. (3); Platygyrium Bruch & Schimp. (3); Pleuridium Brid. (3); Pseudostereodon (Broth.) M. Fleisch. (1); Pseudosymblepharis Broth. (3).
31. Family: Lembophyllaceae Broth.: Neobarbella Nog. (1).
32. Family: Myriniaceae Schimp.: Schwetschkeopsis Broth. (2).
33. Family Pterigyandraceae Schimp.: Pterigynandrum Hedw. (2); Ptilium De Not. (1); Pylaisia Bruch & Schimp. (4); Taxiphyllum M. Fleisch. (3); Vesicularia (Müll. Hal.) Müll. Hal. (9).
34. Family: Pterobryaceae Kindb.: Calyptothecium Mitt. (9); Garovaglia Endl. (1); Horikawaea Nog. (1); Jaegerina C. Muell. (1).
35. Family: Stereophyllaceae (M. Fleisch.) W. R. Buck & Ireland.: Juratzekaea Lorentz(1); Myurium Schimp. (3); Osterwaldiella Fleisch. ex Broth. (1); Symphysodontella Fleisch. (4).
36. Family: Entodontaceae Kindb.: Entodon Müll. Hal. (20); Endotrichella C. Muell. (3); Penzigiella M. Fleisch. (1); Pterobryopsis M. Fleisch. (8)
37. Family: Brachyteciaceae G. Roth.: Aerobryum Dozy & Molk. (2); Brachythecium Schimp. (38); Bryhnia Kaur. (2); Camptothecium Bruch & Schimp. (1); Cirriphyllum Grout (3); Eurhynchium Bruch & Schimp. (10); Homalothecium Bruch & Schimp. (6); Isothecium Brid. (1); Palamocladium (Müll. Hal.) H. Rob. (2); Rhynchostegiella (Bruch & Schimp. ) Limpr. (11); Rhynchostegium Bruch & Schimp. (10); Rozea Besch. (1).
38. Family: Fabroniaceae Schimp.: Fabronia Raddi (9); Levierella Müll. Hal. (1).
39. Family: Meteoriaceae Kindb.: Aerobryopsis M. Fleisch. (5); Aerobryidium M. Fleisch. (3); Barbella M. Fleisch. in Broth. (16); Cryptopapillaria M. Menzel (1); Chrysocladium M. Fleisch. (6); Diaphanodon Renuald & Cardot (2); Duthiella Müll. Hal. (4); Floribundaria M. Fleisch. (9); Meteoriopsis M. Fleisch. (5); Meteorium (Brid.) Dozy & Molk. (4); Papillaria (Müll. Hal.) Müll. Hal. (6); Pseudospiridentopsis (Broth.) M. Fleisch. (1); Trachypodopsis M. Fleisch. (2); Trachypus Reinw. & Hornsch. (2).
40. Family: Entodontaceae Kindb.: Campylodontium Schwägr. (2); Erythrodontium Hampe (1); Orthotheciadelphus Dixon (1); Retidens Dixon (1).
41. Family: Plagiotheciaceae (Broth.) M. Fleisch.: Plagiothecium Bruch & Schimp. (12); Stereophyllum Mitt. (11).
42. Family: Regmatodontaceae Broth.: Pseudobarbella Nog. (2); 189. Regmatodon Brid. (2).
43. Family: Leucodontaceae Schimp.: Forsstroemia Lindb. (3); Leucodon Schwägr. (2)
44. Family: Amblystegiaceae G. Roth.: Amblystegium Bruch & Schimp. (6); Hygroamblystegium Loeske (3); Sciaromium (Mitt.) Mitt. (1).
45. Family: Campyliaceae (Kanda) W. R. Buck: Campyliadelphus (Kindb.) R. S. Chopra (2); Campylium (Sull.) Mitt. (5).
46. Family: Cratoneuraceae Mönk.: Cratoneuron (Sull.) Spruce (4); Drepanocladus (Müll. Hal.) G. Roth. (4); Hygrohypnum Lindb. (4); Leptodictyum (Schunp.) Warnst. (1).
47. Family: Neckeraceae Schimp.: Cryptoleptodon Renauld & Cardot (3); Handeliobryum Broth. (3); Himantocladium (Mitt.) Fleisch. (6); Homalia (Brid.) Bruch & Schimp. (2); Homaliodendron Fleisch. (13); Neckera Hedw. (9); Neckeropsis Reichdt. (9); Pinnatella M. Fleisch. (11); Porotrichum (Brid.) Hampe (1); Thamnobryum Nieuwl. (6).
48. Family: Hylocomiaceae (Broth.) M. Fleisch.: Cyathothecium Dixon (1); Hylocomium Bruch & Schimp. (2); Leptohymenium Schwägr. (1); Macrothamnium M. Fleisch. (4); Meteoriella S. Okamura (1); Neodolichomitra Nog. (1); Orontobryum M. Fleisch. (2); Pleurozium Mitt. (1); Rhytidiadelphus (Limpr.) Warnst. (1); Stenotheciopsis M. Fleisch. (1).
49. Family: Leskeaceae Schimp.: Anomodon Hook. & Taylor (9); Habrodon Schimp. (1); Haplohymenium Dozy & Molk. (1); Herpetineuron (Müll. Hal.) Cardot (1); Leptopterigynandrum Müll. Hal. (4); Lescuraea Bruch & Schimp. (6); Leskea Hedw. (3); Leskeella (Limpr.) Loesk. (2); Lindbergia Kindb. (3); Pseudoleskea Bruch & Schimp. (3); Pseudoleskeella Kindb. (1); Pseudoleskeopsis Broth. (4); Okamuraea Broth. (1); Schwetschkea C. Muell. (2).
50. Family: Sematophyllaceae Broth.: Acroporium Mitt. (3); Aptychella (Broth.) Herzog (6); Brotherella Loesk. & M. Fleisch. (12); Chinostomum Müll. Hal. (1); Clastobryella M. Fleisch. (1); Clastobryopsis M. Fleisch. (2); Clastobryum Dozy & Molk. (6); Heterophyllium (Scxhimp.) Kindb. (3); Meiothecium Mitt. (2); Pylaisiadelpha Cardot (1); Pylaisiopsis Broth. (1); Rhaphidorrhynchium M. Fleisch. (1); Rhaphidostichum M. Fleisch. (5); Sematophyllum Mitt. (8); Struckia Müll. Hal. (2); Taxithelium Spruce ex Mitt. (5); Trichosteleum Mitt. (8); Trolliella Herzog (1); Warburgiella C. Muell. (4); Wijkia Crum (8).
51. Family: Helodiaceae (M. Fleisch.) Ochyra: Actinothuidium (Besch.) Broth. (1).
52. Family: Symphyodontaceae M. Fleisch.: Chaetomitriopsis M. Fleisch. (1); Chaetomitrium Dozy & Molk. (2); Gammiella Broth. (1); Symphyodon Mont. (9).
53. Family: Rhytidiaceae Broth.: Rhytidium (Sull.) Kindb. (1); Trigonodictyon Dixon & P. de la Varde (1); Ulota Mohr (2); Zygodon Hook. & Taylor (10).
16. ORDER: POLYTRICHALES M. FLEISCH
54. Family: Polytrichaceae Schwägr: Atrichum P. Beauv. (6); Lyellia R. Br. (2); Oligotrichum Lam. & Cand. (2); Pogonatum P. Beauv. (33); Polytrichastrum G. L. Sm. (2); Polytrichum Hedw. (4).
17. ORDER: POTTIALES M. FLEISCH.
55. Family: Calymperaceae Kindb.: Calymperes Sw. (23); Exodictyon Cardot (1); Heliconema (Mitt.) L.T. Ellis & A. Eddy (1); Leucophanes Brid. (4).
56. Family: Ephemeraceae Schimp.: Ephemerum Hampe (1); Micromitrium Austin (1); Mitthyridium H. Rob. (6).
57. Family: Pottiaceae Schimp.: Aloina (Müll. Hal.) Kindb. (1); Anoectangium Schwägr. (8); Astomum Hampe (2); Barbula Hedw. (21); Bellibarbula P. C. Chen (2); Bryoerythrophyllum P. C. Chen (8); Cinclidotus P. Beauv. (1); Desmatodon Brid. (4); Didymodon Hedw. (18); Eucladium Bruch & Schimp. (1); Ganguleea R. H. Zander (1); Gymnostomum Nees & Hornsch. (2); Hydrogonium (Müll. Hal.) A. Jaeger. (11); Hymenostomum R. Br. (4); Hymenostyliella E. B. Bartram (1); Hymenostylium Brid. (8); Hyophila Brid. (7); Hyophilopsis Cardot et Dixon (1); Leptodontium (Müll. Hal.) Hampe (3); Molendoa Lindb. (3); Oxystegus (Limpr.) Hilp. (8); Pleurochaete Lindb. (1); Pottia (Reichenb.) Fuernr. (3); Pseudocrossidium Williams (1); Reimersia P. C. Chen (1); Rhamphidium Mitt. (4); Scopelophila (Mitt.) Lindb. (2); Semibarbula Herz. & Hilp. (2); Stegonia Vent. (1); Syntrichia Brid. (1); Timmiella (De Not.) Limpr. (3); Tortella (Lindb.) Limpr. (5); Tortula Hedw. (15); Trichostomum Bruch (9); Trachycarpidium Broth. (1); Trachyphyllum Gepp in Hiern. (3); Tuerckheimia Broth. (1); Weissia Hedw. (5).
58. Family: Calymperaceae Kindb.: Octoblepharum Hedw. (1); Syrrhopodon Schwägr. (11)
18. ORDER: RHIZOGONIALES (M.FLESCH.) GOFFINET & W.R.BUCK.
59. Family: Rhizogoniaceae Broth.: Rhizogonium Brid. (1).
Family: Racopilaceae Kindb.: Racopilum P. Beauv. (3).
19. ORDER: SELIGERIALES (M.FLESCH.) GOFFINET & W.R.BUCK.
60. Family: Seligeriaceae Schimp.: Blindia Bruch & Schimp. (4)
20. ORDER: SPHAGNALES LIMPR.
61. Family: Sphagnaceae Dumort: Sphagnum L. (21).
21. ORDER: SPLACHNALES GREV. & ARN.
62. Family: Meesiaceae Schimp.: Amblyodon Bruch & Schimp. (1); Meesia Hedw. (2).
63. Family : Splachnaceae Grev.: Gymnostomiella M. Fleisch. (1); Splachnobryum Müll. Hal. (5); Tayloria Hook. (6); Tetraplodon B.S.G. (1); Voitia Hornsch. (1).
22. ORDER: TETRAPHIDALES M. FLEISCH.
64. Family: Buxbaumiaceae Schimp.: Buxbaumia Hedw. (1); Theriotia Cardot (2).
23. ORDER: TIMMIALES OCHYRA
65. Family: Timmiaceae Schimp.: Timmia Hedw. (1).
66. Family: Hypopterygiaceae Mitt.: Cyathophorella (Broth.) M. Fleisch. (6); Hypopterygium Brid. (2).
24. Conclusion
25. References
Objectives and Research Focus
The primary objective of this work is to provide an updated, comprehensive checklist of the moss flora of India, addressing a significant lack of recent taxonomic documentation. The research seeks to consolidate existing reports to clarify the floristic diversity, current taxonomic status, and distributional records of Indian mosses.
- Documentation of the total species count and hierarchical classification of Indian mosses.
- Assessment of the validity of species names (valid, synonym, or doubtful).
- Comprehensive detailing of distributional patterns across Indian states and regions.
- Identification of endemic species and diversity hotspots within the Indian landscape.
- Application of a modified classification scheme based on recent bryological standards.
Excerpt from the Book
Mosses
As mentioned earlier, mosses have utmost species diversification. They habitually grow in moist and shady places as crowded greenish cluster or carpet. The plants are typically composed of simple, unistartose leaves, covering a thin axis that supports them. Plants are atracheate, as they do not have vascular tissue. At maturity, they produce sporophytic structures with massive capsules containing spores. They are usually 1–12 cm tall, however, some species like, Dawsonia are much larger, which can grow to 50 cm in length and considered as the tallest moss in the world (Schofield, 1985).
Mosses belong to phylum (division) Bryophyta, which previously also included liverworts and hornworts. Now liverworts and hornworts have separate divisions. There are roughly 10,000-12,000 taxa of moss exist under the Bryophyta (Vitt, 1984). The foremost viable use of mosses is for ornamental purposes, such as in gardens and in the florist trade. Conventional uses of mosses included as filling and as they have great capability to soak up liquids up to 20 times their weight (Sphagnum can absorbs 200 times ) they are extensively used in nursery practices (Glime, 2007).
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of India's geology, climate, and vegetation, establishing the environmental context for the country's bryodiversity.
Methodology: Outlines the systematic approach used for the compilation, referencing the TROPICOS database and the classification scheme of Buck and Goffinet.
List of Taxa: Contains the main body of the work, presenting the detailed checklist of 1578 moss species organized by orders and families.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings of the compilation, noting the total number of moss species and identifying the most prominent orders and families.
References: Lists the comprehensive literature and previous studies consulted for the updated moss checklist.
Keywords
Moss Flora, India, Bryophyta, Bryodiversity, Systematics, Taxonomy, Checklist, Himalayas, Western Ghats, Plant Taxonomy, Sporophyte, Gametophyte, Endemic species, Floristic diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
This work provides an updated and comprehensive checklist of the moss flora of India, aiming to fill the existing gap in documentation since the last major publication in 2005.
What are the primary themes covered in the book?
The book covers the systematic classification, current taxonomic status (valid, synonym, or doubtful names), and the geographic distribution of 1578 moss species found across India.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to provide a standardized, up-to-date reference for future botanical studies by consolidating taxonomic information and distributional data for Indian mosses.
Which scientific methodology was applied in this compilation?
The methodology relies on an extensive review of past and recent reports, verified against the TROPICOS database at the Missouri Botanical Garden and utilizing a modified classification scheme by Buck and Goffinet (2000).
What topics are addressed in the main content?
The main content is structured as a taxonomic list that details individual moss species, their current taxonomic validity, and their distribution across various Indian biogeographic zones.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Moss Flora, India, Bryophyta, Systematics, Taxonomy, and Floristic diversity.
What makes this work unique compared to previous attempts?
This compilation incorporates the most recent nomenclature and status updates (valid/synonym/doubtful) based on contemporary digital resources like 'The Plant List', providing a more refined account than previous checklists.
How is the moss distribution data organized?
The data is organized by systematic order, then family, and further by genus, providing specific details on the presence of each taxon in regions like the Himalayas, South India, and other geographical areas.
What is the ecological significance of mosses highlighted in the text?
The text highlights that mosses serve a vital role in nature by helping to prevent soil erosion, retaining water, and contributing to the ecological succession of vegetation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Afroz Alam (Autor:in), 2015, Moss Flora of India. An Updated Summary of Taxa, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/294363
