Bryoerythrophyllum antarcticum (L.I. Savicz & Smirnova) P. Sollman

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 : 33

* Bryoerythrophyllum antarcticum (L.I. Savicz & Smirnova) P. Sollman [ Pottiaceae ]

Description and iconography

Ochyra & Zander (2002).

Distribution and habitat

This species is considered endemic to Antarctica, with a large distribution on the continent. Bryoerythrophyllum antarcticum has been found in diverse environments, ranging from dry to humid, on loamy, sandy and rocky soils, along meltwater streams and on lake margins ( Sollman 2015). In the study area, it was found on the plateau and in the slope zone, growing on soil protected by rocks as well as in exposed sites. The species was found both growing alone and with other bryophytes.

Comments

It differs from other species in the genus also present in Antarctica by its compact and low cushion shape (1.0–2.0 cm), having ovate leaves, entire at the apex, and small leafy shoots, arising especially from the upper part of the stems; rhizoids are scattered throughout the stem; and the leaves curved when dry, not crisp. The species found differs from its congeneric species Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum because it has a toothed apex, more or less contorted leaves and the rhizoids are restricted to the basal portion of the stem. Also, B. antarcticum is easily confused with another species present in the study area, Didymodon brachyphyllus ; however, the former is larger, with thin walls and loose basal cells, and the upper cells are densely covered with hollow papillae ( Sollman 2015).