Syntrichia sarconeurum Ochyra & R.H. Zander

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 : 35-38

* Syntrichia sarconeurum Ochyra & R.H. Zander [ Pottiaceae ]

Description and iconography

Ochyra et al. (2008).

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the continent and pan-Antarctic. Syntrichia sarconeurum grows in wet and dry habitats and on exposed and sheltered sites ( Ochyra et al. 2008). In the study area, representatives of this species were found exclusively in the slope zone, growing on the ground in both exposed and rockprotected sites. It was found growing alone or with other species.

Comments

Although S. sarconeurum is easily distinguished from most other Antarctic species, it is often confused with two closely related species: Tortella fragilis (Drumm.) Limpr. and Tortella alpicola Dixon. However , S. sarconeurum is characterized by having a single dorsal steroid band and a gradual differentiation between chlorophyll cells and basal hyaline cells ( Ochyra et al. 2008).

* Syntrichia sarconeurum Ochyra & R.H. Zander [ Pottiaceae ]

Examined material: Antarctica, Marambio Island , going down to the east from the Emergency House (64°14 ′ 23.73 ′′ S; 56°37 ′ 10.34 ′′ W; 185 m. a.s.l.), on soil protected by rocks, 12.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5661 ) ; ibid., going down to the east from La Chacarita (64°14 ′ 49.33 ′′ S; 56° 37 ′ 18.80 ′′ W; 124 m. a.s.l.), on unprotected soil, 13.1.2022, A. C. Cottet and L. P. Dopchiz ( BCRU 5668 ) ; ibid., descending from the plateau towards the west coast from the Very-High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range towards Streamlet La Tradición (64°14 ′ 03.28 ′′ S; 56°37 ′ 14.70 ′′ W; 181 m. a.s.l.), on soil protected by rocks, 17.1.2022, A. C. Cottet ( BCRU 5683 ) .