Grimmia plagiopodia Hedw.

Cottet, Agustina Celeste, Messuti, María Inés, Ansaldo, Martín & Dopchiz, Laura Patricia, 2025, Mosses (Bryophyta) of the north-western region of Marambio (Seymour) Island, Antarctica, Antarctic Science (Cambridge, England) 37 (1), pp. 31-38 : 34-37

Grimmia plagiopodia Hedw. [ Grimmiaceae ]

Description and iconography

Ochyra et al. (2008).

Distribution and habitat

A bipolar species, mostly occurring in dry habitats on rocks, boulders, ledges, rock crevices and occasionally on gravel and soil and less often found in wet habitats on rocks at the edge of late snow and on rocks used as bird perches ( Ochyra et al. 2008). In the study area, it was found in the three regions of the island: plateau, slope and coast. It was found growing on soil and rock from bird nests, as well as soil and rock from sites far from nesting areas. It mostly grows alone or with other mosses.

Comments

The gametophytes of this species are characterized by their concave-oval to oblong-oval leaves, with blunt apices with a slightly decurrent serrated hyaline hair that gives the plant a whitish appearance. In cross-section, the leaves are concave in the shape of a ’u’ and never keeled ( Ochyra et al. 2008).

Grimmia plagiopodia Hedw. [ Grimmiaceae ]

Examined material: Antarctica, Marambio Island , on the plateau in La Chacarita (64°14 ′ 8.17 ′′ S; 56°36 ′ 54.08 ′′ W; 190 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected soil, 13.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5669 ) ; ibid., descending from the plateau towards Caleta Larsen (64°13 ′ 53.8 ′′ S; 56°36 ′ 27.97 ′′ W; 84 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected ground, 15.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5670 ) ; ibid., descending from the plateau towards the west coast from Las Cruces (64°13 ′ 50.70 ′′ S; 56°36 ′ 21.17 ′′ W; 180 m. a.s.l.), on soil protected by rocks, 16.1.2022, A.. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5677 ) ; ibid., descending from the plateau towards the west coast by a stream from the end of the track (64°14 ′ 16.73 ′′ S; 56°38 ′ 59.136 ′′ W; 116 m. a.s.l.), on rock, 19.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5694 ) ; ibid., on the plateau on the way to La Remota (64°14 ′ 48.62 ′′ S; 56°38 ′ 16.22 ′′ W; 191 m. a.s.l.), on soil protected by rocks, 21.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5711 ) ; ibid., east coast, stream prior to La Pingüinera area (64°17 ′ 35.52 ′′ S; 56°41 ′ 41.24 ′′ W; 14 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected soil, 21.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5712 ) ; ibid., rill prior to the area of La Pingüinera (64°17 ′ 20.90 ′′ S; 56°41 ′ 27.74 ′′ W; 5 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected soil, 21.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5725 ) ; ibid., second descent from the plateau towards the east coast (64°15 ′ 37.37 ′′ S; 56°38 ′ 54.20 ′′ W; 119 m. a.s.l.), soil protected by rocks, 21.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5728 ) ; ibid., west coast, near Casa de Botes , streamlet zone to the north (64°15 ′ 42.01 ′′ S; 56° 44 ′ 02.32 ′′ W; 21 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected soil, 29.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5729 ) .