Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.

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 : 33-37

* Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. [ Ditrichaceae ]

Description and iconography

Ochyra et al. (2008).

Distribution and habitat

It is considered a cosmopolitan moss; however, in tropical areas, it is restricted to elevated areas. In Antarctica, the species is, like B. pseudotriquetrum , pan-Antarctic. It has a large ecological distribution and occurs in open and protected areas ( Ochyra et al. 2008). In the study area, it was found growing on the ground in both protected and exposed sites and across the three regions of the island: plateau, slope and coast, growing alone or with other bryophytes.

Comments

The gametophytes of C. purpureus can be confused with those of species included in the family Pottiaceae . However, this species is characterized by having strongly recurved or revolute leaf margins, irregularity of the edge towards the apex, absence of papillae and cells of the apical portion of the lamina being subquadrate to rounded ( Ochyra et al. 2008).

* Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. [ Ditrichaceae ]

Examined material: Antarctica, Marambio Island , plateau of the island, behind the Plant (64°14 ′ 32.21 ′′ S; 56°37 ′ 36.69 ′′ W; 197 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected ground, 9.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5659 ) ; ibid., going down to the east from the Emergency House (64°14 ′ 23.92 ′′ S; 56° 37 ′ 11.55 ′′ W; 184 m. a.s.l.), on soil protected by rocks, 12.1.2022, B. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5660 ) ; ibid., going down to the east from La Chacarita (64°14 ′ 27.29 ′′ S; 56°37 ′ 20.42 ′′ W; 180 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected soil, 13.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5664 ) ; ibid., descending from the plateau towards the west coast from the Very-High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range towards Streamlet La Tradición (64°13 ′ 57.18 ′′ S; 56° 37 ′ 41.34 ′′ W; 26 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected ground, 17.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5690 ) ; ibid., east coast, a rill prior to the La Pingüinera area , on the coast (64°17 ′ 06.93 ′′ S; 56°41 ′ 02.58 ′′ W; 4 m. a.s.l.), on soil protected by rocks, 21.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5727 ) ; ibid., west coast, near Casa de Botes , streamlet zone (64°15 ′ 33.37 ′′ S; 56°43 ′ 53.08 ′′ W; 10 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected soil, 29.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5735 ) .